(MINEOLA, N.Y.) – Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan M. Abrahams (D – Freeport) and his colleagues were sworn into office during the first meeting of the 13th term of the Nassau County Legislature on Monday, Jan. 13.
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli administered the oath of office to members of the Minority Caucus during a ceremony held in the Peter J. Schmitt Legislative Chamber in the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building.
After being sworn in by Comptroller DiNapoli, Minority Leader Abrahams, who took the oath of office on a Bible held by his wife, Stephanie, urged his colleagues to work in a bipartisan manner to meet the needs of Nassau County residents. He was re-elected by his colleagues to his fifth term as Minority Leader during organizational meetings held later in the day.
“2020 is going to be a very special year. Whenever we come before you for our inauguration, it is an opportunity to start anew,” Minority Leader Abrahams said. “As we take that opportunity, I want to encourage each and every one of us to put aside our partisanship and focus on what we can do together. If we do that, there is nothing stopping not just us, but the people of Nassau County, from getting what they deserve.”
Joining Minority Leader Abrahams in the Minority Caucus at the start of the 13th term of the Legislature are: Nassau County Legislators Siela A. Bynoe (D - Westbury); Carrié Solages (D - Valley Stream); Debra Mulé (D - Freeport); Ellen W. Birnbaum (D - Great Neck); Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D - Glen Cove) Arnold W. Drucker (D - Plainview) and Joshua A. Lafazan (Woodbury).
Today’s ceremony was hosted by former New York State Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Michael Balboni and featured a procession by the Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band and the presentation of colors by the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard. Officials from the Hicksville Fire Department led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Patriotic standards were performed by Nassau County Legislator Laura Schaefer, Miss Wantagh 2014 Kayla Knight, and the Baldwin High School Chamber Singers under the direction of Kristine Costello. The young choristers earned a standing ovation with a stirring acapella performance of “America the Beautiful.”
Rev. Derek Garcia, Chaplain of the Nassau County Police Department; Isma H. Chaudhry, President of the Islamic Center of Long Island; Father Valentine D. Rebello, Pastor of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church; Rev. Eric Olsen of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Plainview; and Rabbi Uri Orlian of Congregation Shaaray Tefilah led the gathering in prayers throughout the ceremony.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
TOP PHOTO - New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli administers the oath of office to Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan M. Abrahams on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Abrahams’ wife, Stephanie, holds the Bible.
LOWER PHOTO - Abrahams looks on as Comptroller DiNapoli administers the oath of office to his Minority Caucus colleagues.