Bold face pols show up for Menchaca inauguration

Schumer, Velazquez and Stringer among speakers

February 6, 2018 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle
City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca, surrounded by his mother Magdalena and sister Christina Dominguez, is sworn into office by former NYS Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez. Eagle photos by Arthur De Gaeta
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Some of the Democratic Party’s biggest names showed up at City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca’s (D-Sunset Park-Red Hook) inauguration on Sunday, Jan. 13 at the Sunset Park High School at 153 35th Street.

Helping him kick-off his second term in office were U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, U.S. Rep. Nydia Valazquez, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Letitia James, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, City Councilmembers Chaim Deutsch, Brad Lander, Alan Maisel and Jumaane Williams.

The crowd of supporters and well-wishers attending resembled a mini-United Nations of people of various races, religions and cultural backgrounds.

The program opened with the Pledge of Allegiance by students from Park Slope Middle School M.S. 88 followed by an invocation from Assoc. Pastor Rev. Gesson Agenis of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Sunset Park.

Valazquez offered the opening remarks and there were performances by the students of M.S. 88 and the Sunset Park Senior Dance Club.

Mayor Bill de Blasio senior advisor Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez administered the oath of office. Cortes-Vazquez was Secretary of State in New York from 2007 to 2010.

Menchaca dedicated his inauguration to all residents and community leaders who “have used their own wisdom to wield some incredible power in our neighborhoods.”

During his first term in office Menchaca was instrumental in the establishment of six new schools in the 38th District and helped with the rebuilding of the Sunset Park Library. Menchaca also serves as chairman of the Committee on Immigration.

Speakers included Schumer, Valazquez, Stringer, James and Johnson. They all praised Menchaca for his work in the community on issues of immigration, education and quality of life. Schumer praised Menchaca’s work-ethic and dedication to his district saying, “He got here the old-fashioned way. He earned it.”

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