Sen. Charles “Chuck” Schumer administers oath to Assemblyman N. Nick Perry, as his wife, Joyce, looks on. Frank
Shea/Communications Director; Offi ce of Assemblyman N. Nick Perry
Caribbean Life, February 11-17, 2022 3
By Nelson A. King
The Joe Biden administration has
congratulated the people of Grenada on
the 48th anniversary of political independence
from Great Britain, saying
that Grenada and the US “share close
ties and a strong, steadfast partnership.”
“We appreciate Grenada’s role in
addressing the climate crisis and are
proud to work together to improve
regional security and advance the health
and prosperity of the Caribbean,” said
US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken
in a statement on Monday.
“Our collaboration with Grenada on
education and entrepreneurship helps
ensure a more prosperous future for
the people of Grenada,” he added. “In
the year ahead, we look forward to the
inauguration of two emergency operations
centers in Grenada and Carriacou
that will support Grenada’s security and
resilience.
“The United States values the strong
relationship between our two countries
and wishes the citizens of Grenada a
happy Independence Day,” Blinken continued.
Grenada obtained its independence
on Feb. 7, 1974 under the leadership of
Sir Eric Matthew Gairy, who became the
“Spice Isle’s” first prime minister.
Three years later, the Marxist–Leninist
led New Jewel Movement overthrew
Gairy’s government in a bloodless coup
d’état, establishing the People’s Revolutionary
Government (PRG), headed by
charismatic lawyer Maurice Bishop as
prime minister.
After Bishop was subsequently arrested
and executed by members of the
People’s Revolutionary Army (PRA),
the Ronald Reagan administration in
Washington invaded Grenada, in October
1983, under the pretext of rescuing
American medical students at St.
George’s Medical School.
By Nelson A. King
United States Senate Majority Leader,
Charles “Chuck” Schumer on Tuesday
introduced Jamaican-born New York
City Assemblyman Nick Perry to the
US Senate Foreign Relations Committee
as nominee for US Ambassador to
Jamaica.
“It is my honor to introduce a proud
New Yorker, a dear and longtime friend,
we’ve known each other for 30 years,
and fellow Brooklynite, Nick Perry to
serve as the next US ambassador to
Jamaica,” said Democrat Schumer, who,
in October last year, initially announced
his support for Perry for the position.
“I worked hard to make sure President
Biden named Nick for this post,
and I am glad to finally be here introducing
him to the committee,” added
Schumer, the senior US Senator from
New York, disclosing that Perry was
at Tuesday’s initial hearing with his
Jamaican-born wife, Joyce, and their
son, Nicholas.
“Now, whenever I’m back home
in Brooklyn, particularly at the West
Indian Day parade, I ask folks ‘what’s
the biggest island in the Caribbean.
I tell them it’s a trick question. You
know, some people say Haiti, some
people say Cuba, some people say Barbados,”
Schumer continued. “I say no.
It’s Brooklyn. We have more Caribbean
immigrants than anywhere else. And
it’s a great and wonderful hardworking
community climbing up that ladder and
being part of the American dream.
“And this makes Nick Perry not only
an outstanding nominee because of
his qualifications and who he is but an
exceedingly fitting nominee to serve as
our next Ambassador to Jamaica,” the
US Senate Majority Leader said. “He
is a native of the island and Nick Perry
would be the first ever — the first ever
— Jamaican-born person to serve as
its American Ambassador. It is truly an
important milestone, one that I would
add is long, long overdue.”
Schumer said Perry, who represents
the 58th Assembly District in Brooklyn,
is “a well-known face in the community.
“He has a knack for doing politics
the old-fashioned way: shaking hands,
showing up at every event, and just
listening to people from everyday life,”
he said. “Nick is an immigrant, he is
a veteran, and a lifelong public servant,
and he represents the best of what
America is all about. I am certain that
Nick will be a wonderful Ambassador to
Jamaica.”
Following Schumer’s push and continued
support, US President Joe Biden
on Nov. 3 announced his nomination
of Perry to be the next United States
Ambassador to Jamaica.
Perry was born and raised in Jamaica
and migrated to the US in 1971.
He served in the US Army for two
years of active duty and four years on
reserve status.
He received several service medals
and was honorably discharged with the
rank of Specialist E-5.
After serving in the army, Perry
attended college on the G.I. Bill and
earned a B.A. in Political Science and
an M.A. in Public Policy and Administration
from Brooklyn College, City
University of New York.
Perry was first elected to the New
York State Assembly in 1992 to represent
the 58th Assembly District in
Brooklyn and was reelected to serve
his 15th consecutive term in November
2020.
Perry is currently the Assistant
Speaker Pro Tempore of the New York
State Assembly, and regional vice chairman
of the National Black Caucus of
State Legislators.
He currently serves on the f New
York Assembly committees of Rules,
Ways & Means; Codes; Banks; Labor;
and Transportation.
Perry is also the former chairman of
the New York State Black, Puerto Rican,
Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus.
If confirmed by the US Senate, Perry
would make history in becoming the
first ever native-born Jamaican to serve
as US ambassador to Jamaica.
US Secretary of State Antony J.
Blinken. Graeme Jennings/Pool via
REUTERS, fi le
Schumer introduces Perry as nominee
for US Ambassador to Jamaica
Biden
congratulates
Grenada on
independence
anniversary