Two congresswomen representing Queens are lauding the historic selection of Kamala Harris as the first woman of color ever to be on a presidential ticket.
Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden chose the 55-year-old senator from California to be his running mate, making Harris both the first Black woman and first Asian woman on a major party national ticket.
“I applaud and commend Joe Biden for his decision to select Kamala Harris as his vice presidential running mate. Senator Harris is an exceptional choice and will be an incredible asset to the campaign,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng, who also serves as the vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee. “She is a tireless fighter for our country and will be the next and first Asian American and Black American woman vice president.”
“I look forward to working with her and the next president of the United States, Joe Biden, to restore our nation’s leadership and address the many critical issues facing our nation,” Meng added. “I can’t wait for this outstanding ticket to make history in November.”
Harris, a former prosecutor and state attorney general, is the daughter of immigrants: her mother was from India, and her father was from Jamaica.
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney said the Biden-Harris ticket represents the country better than any other presidential ticket in American history and that the country is rapidly moving forward toward a representation that is inclusive and true to the country’s progressive values.
“Senator Harris has shown her leadership, tenacity and commitment to serving the American people over and over throughout her career,” Maloney said. “I couldn’t be more pleased to be able to support her on this historic ticket, and am looking forward to electing her and Joe Biden in November.”
The Harris selection was also celebrated by 32BJ SEIU, the union representing 175,000 property service workers up and down the East Coast.
“Senator Kamala Harris will make an exceptional vice president,” 32BJ SEIU President Kyle Bragg said. “Senator Harris has been a champion for all service workers, has fought to hold corporations accountable, advocated for a $15 minimum wage, and a path to citizenship for 11 million aspiring Americans. As frontline essential workers keep this economy growing during COVID, Senator Harris has been fighting to get them the hazard pay and PPE they need.”
Bragg, a Rosedale resident, said Harris “has the ability to unite working people — regardless of where we live, what we look like, or how much money we have — around the simple goals we all share.”
“Her empathy, dignity and intellect stand in stark contrast to a presidency defined by ignorance and hatred,” Bragg added. “To a union representing majority Black and immigrant workers, the selection of Kamala Harris shows that America is one step closer to fulfilling its long-delayed promise of equality.”
