LINARES

D E M O C R AT F O R S TAT E S E N AT E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 6, 2012 CONTACT: 917-753-3615 ASSEMBLYMEMBER LINARES ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR NEW YORK STATE SENATE New YorkAssemblymember Guillermo Linares (D-Manhattan) today announced his candidacy for the New York State Senate in a letter to friends and supporters saying I will be a champion for progressive causes that I believe are important to all the people of the 31st Senate Districtfrom creating good-paying jobs and more affordable housing, to improving our public schools and access to quality health care, to protecting the environment and the rights of workers. Linares cited the State Senates often decisive role in blocking or advancing progressive legislation, pointing to the New York Dream Act, as a key factor in his decision. Today, no battle is more important to me, Linares said, than the fight to make a college education possible for all immigrant children by passing the Dream Act in New York. Linares added, whether the Dream Act passes this year or notand Im still very hopeful that it willthe need for strong voices in the State Senate for immigrant rights and aspirations has never been greater. In the letter, Linares highlighted his three decades of work in the community from his start as a teacher and school board member to his record on the New York City Council, as the Citys Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs, and now as State Assemblymember. He singled out his efforts to improve education, bring a new police precinct to the neighborhood, and the battle this year to finally win legal status for livery car drivers. Linares added: Im excited about this campaign and excited about the prospect of representing one of the most diverse Senate Districts in the entire state. The new 31st Senate District, redrawn following the 2010 Census, now covers a vast stretch of Manhattans West Sidefrom Inwood and Marble Hill all the way down to Chelsea. The Senate seat is currently held by Adriano Espaillat, who is now running for Congress. In 1991, Guillermo Linares became the first Dominican-born elected official in the United States. He served in the New York City Council from 1992-2001. Beginning in 1995, he served as a member of the White House Initiative for Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans and was appointed Chair by President Bill Clinton in 1999. From 2004-2009, he served as the Citys Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs and in 2010 was elected to the New York State Assembly. He received bachelor of arts and master of education degrees from City College, a master in administration and supervision from Fordham University, and achieved his doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Linares is married to a public school principal and has two children and a granddaughter. #######