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.
