Pakistani Community’s Friend Phil Ramos Takes Oath as State Assembly Deputy Speaker

Phil Ramos is no stranger to Long Islanders. A diehard Democrat, he has been representing the State Assembly District 6 since 2002. January 29th became another milestone for Ramos, 66 when he was sworn in as the Deputy Speaker of the New York State Assembly. He is the highest-ranking Hispanic who is currently serving his 10th term as a member of the New York State Assembly.

State Assembly District 6 includes portions of the town of Islip, including Bay Shore, Brentwood, Central Islip, and Islandia in Suffolk County on Long Island. Among other communities a large number of Pakistani American call District 6 their home.

The simple but impressive ceremony was held at the Brentwood Library in Brentwood, Long Island. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone officiated the swearing-in ceremony, which among others, was attended among others by New York State Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez, who previously represented Assembly District 68 Harlem; State Assemblyman Steve Stern (D – NY State Assembly District 10); Deputy Supervisor for Hempstead, Lakeview, and Roosevelt Dorothy Goosby.

Ramos is considered a long-time friend of the Pakistani American community. He did not forget his Pakistani supporters at his swearing-in ceremony. “I would like to invite you and PACE members to attend Phil’s swearing-in ceremony as Deputy Speaker of the New York State Assembly. This event marks a milestone in the history of New York, as he will be the first Hispanic to hold that office,” said the invite Phil’s office extended to Saeed Hassan, a leading community organizer and businessman who runs Pakistani American Community Excellence (PACE).

Hassan along with other officials of his organization, including Syed Adnan Bukhari, Najmussaaib, Saiyed Saeed, Hassan Raja, and other Pakistani and Muslim community leaders attended the event. “We are very thankful to the Deputy Speaker for inviting PACE to his swearing-in ceremony,” said Hassan after the event.

“He is a true friend of the Pakistani community who has always stood by it,” said PACE senior leader Adnan Bukhari. He hoped that the Long Island Democratic Party leadership will continue to take steps to strengthen its relations with the Pakistani community.

Ramos is a former police officer of the Suffolk County Police Department. He also worked in the narcotics unit as an undercover officer. He was promoted to detective in 1987 and retired in 1999. In 2002, Ramos opted to run for the New York Assembly to succeed Republican Robert Wertz, who was retiring after thirty years to seek a seat in the New York Senate. In a close race, he defeated Republican Philip Goglas 53% to 47%.

Assemblyman Ramos puts people before politics and is a fierce defender of the civil rights of the diverse residents of his district. He was involved in creating the Brentwood State Park, where thousands of our youth play soccer every year, and provided $2 million for the creation of a state-of-the-art spray park at Roberto Clemente Park, says his bio posted on his assembly webpage. He has been a co-sponsor and prime sponsor of several historic pieces of legislation, including the Green Light Law and the Senator Jose Peralta NYS DREAM Act. He also passed a law to raise the age of consent for marriage to 18, protecting minors from predators in New York State.

Glimpses of the Swearing-in Ceremony (photos courtesy PACE)