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Senate confirms Assemblymember Perry as new US ambassador to Jamaica

Longtime Brooklyn pol was born in island nation

March 14, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
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Following U.S. Senator Charles Schumer’s continued support and President Joe Biden’s nomination in November, the U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed Brooklyn Assemblymember Nick Perry to be the next United States Ambassador to Jamaica. 

Perry, a New York State Assemblymember (D-Crown Heights-East Flatbush-Canarsie) was born in Jamaica and represents a predominantly Caribbean-American district. He will be the first U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica born in 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 – and that experience will make him an outstanding ambassador,” said Schumer. “Born and raised in Jamaica, Assemblymember Perry – a U.S. Army vet – has a unique perspective and understanding of Jamaica that will benefit both the United States and Jamaica in their deep and abiding partnership.”

In a 2015 interview with the Brooklyn Eagle’s Paula Katinas, Perry recalled how he grew up in St. Andrew’s Parish, Jamaica, as one of 11 children. When he came to Brooklyn at age 18 in 1971, he said, he thought of his residence here as temporary — he aspired to become the prime minister of Jamaica.

Thinking that he needed military experience, he went to Fort Hamilton and volunteered for the U.S. Army when the Vietnam War was still going on. Just before he was scheduled to be shipped out, U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger signed a peace agreement with the North Vietnamese. He still had to serve out his term with the Army, but he was no longer in mortal danger. He received several service medals and was honorably discharged.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters about the Russian invasion of Ukraine following a Democratic strategy meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Perry told Katinas that he had second thoughts about becoming involved in Jamaican politics because, in those days, election campaigns on the island often turned violent and people wearing the wrong-color shirt could get attacked. Instead, he attended Brooklyn College on the G.I. Bill and earned a B.A in political science and an M.A. in public policy and administration.

He was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 1992 and was re-elected to serve his 15th consecutive term in November 2020. Perry is currently the assistant speaker pro tempore of the NYS Assembly, and regional vice chairperson of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. 

He currently serves on the following New York Assembly Committees: Rules, Ways & Means, Codes, Banks, Labor, and Transportation. Perry is the former chairperson of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus.

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