Schumer swears Kaminsky into Assembly

Ceremony at MLK Center highlights district’s diversity

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In what many described as an unprecedented turnout by leaders of both political parties and residents representing a diverse cross-section of Long Beach, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer swore Democratic State Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky into office last Sunday at the Martin Luther King Center.

About 400 people turned out for a ceremony that was optimistic in tone, as Kaminsky, 36, took the reins from his predecessor, Harvey Weisenberg, who served the 20th Assembly District for 25 years.

In November, Kaminsky defeated his Republican opponent, Avi Fertig, and was called the new “shining star” of Albany by Nassau County Democratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs.

“With this inauguration, we are at a starting line, facing great challenges,” said Kaminsky, a member of the MLK Center’s board of directors. “I share your urgency to get things done, and to help repair and improve our great communities. On the issues that matter to us — taxes, the economy, education, public safety and the environment — we start this race for a better future. And I am confident we will make it to the finish line together.”

Schumer administered the oath of office, after which the crowd stood and cheered.

“The event at the MLK Center was historic,” Weisenberg said after the ceremony. “The ceremony showed the diversity of our population — we’re really a model of what small cities and communities should be like. Todd has committed to becoming an assemblyman for the 20th District who will advocate for the people and not the party, and if he maintains that, he’ll have credibility and will be able to work across party lines.”

Long Beach City Manager Jack Schnirman, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, County Legislator Denise Ford and U.S. Rep.-elect Kathleen Rice also spoke at the ceremony, presided over by MLK Center Executive Director Myrnissa Stone-Sumair.

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