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Caribbean L 14 ife, NOVEMBER 5-11, 2021
Brooklyn Democratic Assemblyman Nick Perry. Photo by Nelson A. King
Biden to nominate Perry as first
Jamaican-born ambassador to Jamaica
By Nelson A. King
Following United States Senate Majority
Leader Charles “Chuck” Schumer’s
push and continued support, President
Joe Biden announced on Wednesday his
intent to nominate a veteran New York
legislator as the first Jamaican-born
Ambassador to Jamaica.
The White House said in a statement
that New York State Assemblyman N.
Nick Perry is the president’s “nominee
for Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to Jamaica.”
Perry represents the predominantly
Caribbean 58th Assembly District in
Brooklyn, comprising the neighborhoods
of East Flatbush, Canarsie and
Brownsville.
The White House said Perry, who
has served for three decades as an
assemblyman in the New York State
Legislature, is currently the Assistant
Speaker Pro Tempore of the New York
State Assembly and a Regional Vice
Chairman of the National Black Caucus
of State Legislators.
Perry also serves on the New York
State Assembly Standing Committees
on Rules, Ways & Means, Codes, Banks,
Labor and Transportation.
From 2015 to 2018, the White House
said Perry was the chairman of the
New York State Black, Puerto Rican,
Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus,
and also served as chairman of the
New York State Association of Black
and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc. from
2012 to 2015.
“Earlier, Perry served five consecutive
terms on the Brooklyn Borough
Board before being elected to the State
Assembly in 1992,” said the White
House, noting that Perry, who was
named “Legislator of the Year” by the
National Black Caucus of State Legislators
in 2018, “has been recognized
with honors from the New York Civil
Liberties Union and the New York State
Association of Black and Puerto Rican
Legislators, among others.”
Schumer told Caribbean Life on
Wednesday that he was “proud to support
New York State Assemblymember
Nick Perry to be the next US Ambassador
to Jamaica.
“Assemblymember Perry has dedicated
his life’s work to serving his
constituents in the 58th district, and
has fostered many deep and lasting
cultural, economic and political connections
between the United States and
Jamaica,” he said. “And that experience
will make him an outstanding ambassador.”
“Born and raised in Jamaica, Assemblymember
Perry, a US Army vet (veteran),
has a unique perspective and
understanding of Jamaica that will benefit
both the United States and Jamaica
in their deep and abiding partnership,”
Schumer added. “The bottom line is
that there is no one better prepared to
go ‘Down Yard’ and represent the United
States of America than Nick Perry, and
I am very happy to support his nomination.”
Perry, who was born and raised in
Jamaica, migrated to New York in 1971.
He served in the US Army for two
years of active duty and four years on
reserve status.
Perry 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. (Government
Issued) Bill and earned a Bachelor
of Arts in political science and a Master
of Arts in Public Policy and Administration
from Brooklyn College, City University
of New York (CUNY).
“I am extremely honored to have
President Biden express his intent to
nominate me to serve as the next US
Ambassador to Jamaica,” Perry, who
must be confirmed by the US Senate,
told Caribbean Life after the White
House announcement.
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