Episode 219: Need a Law? You Write It!
We’ve all said it at one time or another- “there ought to be a law!” But how do the laws that we believe we need get created? L. Joy brings New York State Senator Kevin Parker back to the front of the class for a discussion that gives us the tools we need to write that law that ought to be around the issues we care about and are civically engaging in.
Homework:
Read: The Empowered Citizens Guide: 10 Steps to Passing a Law That Matters to You by Pat Libby https://www.amazon.com/Empowered-Citizens-Guide-Passing-Matters/dp/0197601634
Read: Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Line-Staying-through-Dangers/dp/1578514371
Two things to remember when getting involved in the process: 1. Start where you are and 2. Understand politics as a process not an event
Our Guest:
New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker is committed to restoring the overall quality of life for the constituents of the 21st Senatorial District in Brooklyn. A lifelong Brooklyn resident, Senator Parker has been a Flatbush resident for more than 31 years -- nurtured, educated, and employed in the borough. Senator Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of the 21st District, which consists of many diverse communities: Flatbush, East Flatbush, Kensington, Ditmas Park, Midwood, Flatlands, Canarsie, Georgetown, Old Mill Basin, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach and Marine Park.
A product of the New York City Public School system, Senator Parker attended P.S. 193, Andries Hudde I.S. 240, and Midwood High School. Elected to the New York State Senate in 2002, Senator Parker’s professional background reflects a wide range of public service and an unwavering commitment to a better New York. As the Special Assistant to former New York State Comptroller H. Carl McCall, Senator Parker managed intergovernmental relations in New York City, and was the liaison between the Comptroller; city, state, and federal elected officials. Before taking office, Senator Parker was a New York City Urban Fellow and also served as Special Assistant to former Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger; Legislative Aide to former New York City Councilmember Una Clarke, and Special Assistant to Assemblyman Nick Perry. As Project Manager with the New York State Urban Development Corporation, Senator Parker financed minority and women owned businesses and promoted community business redevelopment.
Senator Parker worked on a wide range of issues within the financial service industry at UBS PaineWebber in the Chairman’s office concerning Government Affairs. In his first term in office he was selected as a prestigious fellow for a program that trains emerging state legislators from across the 50 states. In addition to becoming a prestigious fellow, he was one of 40 emerging state leaders from across the country to receive a Toll Fellowship from the Council of State Government. In 2005, he participated in intensive government course work with professionals of various fields from around the country at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
For the 2014/15 legislative term, his committee assignments include: Energy and Telecommunications; Finance; Rules; Banks; Insurance; Higher Education; Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation. He is currently the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, Former Majority Whip and First Vice Chair of the Association of Black, Puerto Rican & Asian Legislators. Senator Parker is also a member of the New American Task Force. Senator Parker has been appointed Parliamentarian to the NY State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Incorporated, and was appointed as the Democratic lead of the Joint Budget Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Housing.
Senator Parker’s commitment to his community is reflected in his leadership in civic organizations. He formed the New York Ready Emergency Preparedness Unit alongside other community leaders. He is the former 2nd Vice Chairman of the Board and chairperson of Community Board 17’s Education Committee; a member of the Community Service Society’s Associates program and the Children’s Defense Fund’s Community Crusade for Children. Senator Parker was a member of the Coro Foundation’s Leadership New York XI class where he examined public policy, budget and infrastructure, race relations, education, and health care issues.
His commitment to education has taken him into the classroom as a professor of both African-American Studies and Political Science at several colleges, including: CUNYs: Baruch College, John Jay College, Medgar Evers College, City College; SUNY, Old Westbury; and Long Island University. Brooklyn College is where Senator Parker teaches a majority of his classes and is a faculty advisor to student organizations and activities. The Senator is currently an adjunct professor at Brooklyn College’s Center for Worker Education. At Penn State (where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Service), Senator Parker organized students for racial justice and encouraged diversity at the University. He holds a Master’s of Science Degree from the New School for Social Research in Urban Policy and Management and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Political Science at The Graduate Center, CUNY. He is also a member of the Alpha Chapter of the Pi Eta Honor Society.
