UNITED STATES | Biden to Nominate J'can national Nick Perry as US envoy to Jamaica

WASHINGTON DC,  Nov. 3, 2021 -   United States President Joe Biden has announced his intent to nominate a Jamaican national, New York State Assemblyman Nick Perry, as his Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Jamaica. 

Perry is currently the Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore of the New York State Assembly, and a Regional Vice Chairman of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

An immigrant from Jamaica, Perry has served for three decades as an Assemblyman in the New York State Legislature. Perry  served on the New York State Assembly Standing Committees on Rules, Ways & Means, Codes, Banks, Labor, and Transportation.  

From 2015-2018, Perry was the Chairman of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus and he also served as Chairman of the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc. from 2012-2015. 

Earlier, Perry served five consecutive terms on the Brooklyn Borough Board before being elected to the State Assembly in 1992.  

Assemblyman Perry earned his B.A. from Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, New York. He was named the Legislator of the Year by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators in 2018 and has been recognized with honors from the New York Civil Liberties Union and the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators among others.

US Democratic Senate Majority Leader, Charles “Chuck” Schumer, of New York, last month expressed his support for Perry to be the next US envoy to his native Jamaica. Shumer said 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.”

He said Perry, born and raised in Jamaica and a US Army veteran, “has a unique perspective and understanding of Jamaica that will benefit both the United States and Jamaica in their deep and abiding partnership.

“The bottom line is that there is no one better prepared to go ‘Down Yard’ and represent the United States of America than Nick Perry, and I am very happy to support his candidacy,” Schumer said.

If he is ratified by the Senate, Perry who migrated to the United States in 1971, would be the first Jamaican to hold that post in the 59 years of Jamaica /United States diplomatic relationship. He will replace the controversial former Ambassador Donald Tapia, who demitted office as President Biden stepped into the  US presidency in January.

Perry, represents the predominantly Caribbean 58th Assembly District, encompassing the Brooklyn neighborhoods of East Flatbush, Canarsie and Brownsville. He was was first elected to the New York State Assembly's 58th District in 1992 and was re-elected to serve his 15th consecutive term in November 2020.

He served in the US Army for two years on active duty and four years on reserve status. Perry received several service medals and was honorably discharged with the rank of specialist. After army duties, Perry attended college on the G.I. (Government Issued) Bill and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a Master of Arts degree in public policy and administration – both from Brooklyn College, City University of New York (CUNY).

-30-