Congresswoman Velázquez Endorses Dean for President

From Dean for America...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 23, 2003

Congresswoman Velázquez Endorses Dean for President

NEW YORK--During an event here today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez today endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

"Howard Dean does not answer to corporate America, big drug companies, the oil industry or Dick Cheney's Halliburton. He answers to hardworking American families across the country that struggle each day to pay the bills and make ends meet. Howard Dean would lead with conviction. He leads with resolve and he will make it clear in his campaign that people come first," Velázquez said.

"I am proud that Nydia Velázquez, a true leader in her community, has joined the greatest grassroots campaign presidential politics has ever seen. Nydia’s unique perspective and her strong organizing skills will be of great benefit to our campaign,” Governor Dean said.

Velázquez, who was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress, has represented New York’s 12th District since 1992, when she won with a strongly grassroots-based campaign. In February of 1998, she was named Ranking Democratic Member of the House Small Business Committee, making her the first Hispanic woman to serve as Chair or Ranking Member of a full House committee.

Her district, which encompasses parts of Brooklyn, Queens and the Lower East Side of Manhattan is the only tri-borough district in the New York City congressional delegation.

Velázquez joins Reps. Neil Abercrombie, Joseph Crowley, Bob Filner, Raúl Grijalva, Maurice Hinchey, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Zoe Lofgren, Jim McDermott, Jerrold Nadler, Major Owens, Frank Pallone, Tim Ryan, and David Wu, in addition to Vermont Senator Patrick J. Leahy, who have already endorsed Governor Dean.

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