Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On His Recommendation Of Assemblyman Nick Perry To Serve As Ambassador To Jamaica And On Today’s Vote On Catherine Lhamon To Be Assistant Secretary For Civil Rights At The Department Of Education

Washington, D.C. –  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding his recommendation of New York State Assemblyman Nick Perry to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica and today’s vote on Catherine Lhamon to serve as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:
Yesterday, I was proud to announce my recommendation of a great New Yorker—and a great friend—to serve as the next US Ambassador to Jamaica: Nick Perry of my hometown of Brooklyn.

I cannot think of a better person to represent our country in Jamaica than Assemblyman Perry. If confirmed, he would be the first ever Jamaican-born American to hold that post.

I always ask folks, when I’m in Brooklyn, “what’s the biggest island in the Caribbean?” I tell them it's a trick question. They guess – well, maybe it's Haiti, maybe its Barbados, maybe it's Cuba. I say no. It’s actually Brooklyn which has more Caribbean immigrants than anywhere else. So Nick Perry’s nomination is great news for our community and our country.

For decades, Assemblyman Perry has served Brooklyn by doing things the old fashioned day: working hard, never resting on his laurels, and earning the trust of the people he represents. He is a true American success story—an immigrant, a veteran of the Army, and a graduate of Brooklyn College. I know he will do excellent work as our next Ambassador.

?From Patrick Ewing to KRS-One; from Vice President Kamala Harris to Congresswoman Yvette Clarke to the late General Powell, Jamaican-Americans hold a key place in our nation’s rich legacy. Nick Perry will continue adding to this legacy as he has for decades. And I am proud to support him as a nominee for Ambassador.

And finally today, the Senate will also move forward today on Catherine Lhamon to be Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education.

All her career, Ms. Lhamon has been an unshakable champion for civil rights and for all students who want a fair shake in their education. This would be the second time she serves as Assistant Secretary, so she has the experience, the leadership, and the dedication to stand up for students from all walks of life, something sorely lacking under the previous Administration.

I look forward to confirming her nomination.

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