Veteran Brooklyn Assemblyman addresses US Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Veteran New York state Assemblyman Nick Perry yesterday (February 8) took one step closer to being confirmed as the first Jamaica-born to serve as America’s Ambassador to Jamaica.

Perry addressed the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee where he made out his case to be confirmed for the post left vacant last year after Ambassador Donald Tapia ended his tour of duty.

Speaking in his trademark West Indian accent, Perry, a graduate of Kingston College in Jamaica, portrayed himself as the product of two worlds: raised in Jamaica but also a proud son of Brooklyn.

The 71-year-old Perry told the committee: “I believe my experience and perspective, complemented by my background as an American who was born and raised in Jamaica, could contribute positively to strengthening our partnership with Jamaica.”

Perry advised the committee that he came to Brooklyn in 1971 as a teenager, joined the military and graduated from Brooklyn College before starting his public service as a chair of his local community board before winning an election for the first of 15 terms in the Assembly in 1992.

Perry plans to expand security ties with Jamaica

If Perry is backed by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as expected, his nomination will go to the full Senate for approval. Along with bolstering the historically close ties between Jamaica and the US, Perry said he would expand security ties, particularly in countering illegal drug trafficking.

He also vowed to help protect the safety of American citizens living in Jamaica, which has a reputation for isolated gang violence and tourists visiting the island. Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer lavished praise on Perry, calling him an ideal candidate to be the next envoy to Jamaica.

According to him, “Nick is an immigrant, a veteran, and a longtime public servant… . He represents the best of what America is all about.”

Schumer described it as a “milestone that is long overdue” to name a Jamaica-born person as ambassador to the island nation, given the many Jamaican immigrants living in the US.

Committee member, Senator Marco Rubio, during his opening remarks, urged Perry to work to bolster the United States’ relationship with Jamaica.

Rubio remarked: “So if confirmed, Assemblyman Perry, I hope you’ll build on your experience — not just [your experience] in the legislature, but also your deep ties to Jamaica — to help foster and continue to build on that US-Jamaica partnership.”