SENATOR CHARLES E. SCHUMER ENDORSES

HAKEEM JEFFRIES FOR CONGRESS

June 20, 2012 - Brooklyn, NY - U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced his endorsement of Hakeem Jeffries for Congress in NY-8. Schumer's endorsement speaks to Jeffries's impressive credentials, as Senator Schumer used to represent many of the areas in the new 8th district.

"I know the streets of this district like the back of my hand from when I represented many of its neighborhoods, and I know that Hakeem Jeffries is the man who will get the job done for all the people in Brooklyn and Queens," said Senator Schumer. "Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries is the perfect combination of smart, hard-working and caring -- and, from creating jobs to protecting affordable housing to educating our kids to delivering services for our seniors, he has a record of accomplishment to prove it. He is a true blue friend of Israel and has a sophisticated sense of America's unique role in a complex, interconnected world.  He is full of energy and promise and talent, and I am proud to endorse him to be the next congressman from the 8th district."

"I am honored to be endorsed by the esteemed senior senator from New York," said Jeffries. "His leadership on a variety of issues has proven what we can accomplish when we have such dedicated elected officials. Together, we will work with President Obama in Washington to stand up for working families and put people back to work."

Senator Schumer's endorsement is especially significant. While in the House of Representatives, Sen. Schumer represented Howard Beach, Sheepshead Bay and Mill Basin, which are part of the new NY-8 that was drawn this April. Also prior to his service in Washington, Sen. Schumer, a Park Slope resident, represented an assembly district that abuts Hakeem's current assembly district.  

Hakeem Jeffries has represented Brooklyn's 57th district in the New York State Assembly since 2007. During his time in the legislature, Assemblyman Jeffries has emerged as a champion for working families. He has successfully advanced a progressive agenda that has made a real impact throughout New York, including legislation to strengthen tenant regulations, protect the civil liberties of law-abiding New Yorkers during police encounters, reform state government in Albany, and facilitate the successful re-entry of formerly incarcerated individuals. For more information on Hakeem's candidacy, visit www.JeffriesforCongress.com.

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Contact:          Lupé Todd

                        212.608.0333/917.202.0116

                        Lupe@gacnyc.com