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Reverend
Rubén Díaz was elected to the New York
State Senate in November 2002 in the 32nd Senate District in South Bronx,
including the communities of Castle Hill, Clason Point, Hunts Point,
Longwood, Melrose, Morrisania, Parkchester, Pelham Parkway, Soundview,
and Union Port. As State Senator, Reverend Díaz will continue
to work hard to improve economic opportunities, housing, health care
and education for the people of the Bronx.
Reverend
Díaz was decisively elected to the New York City Council in 2001,
representing the 18th District in the Bronx, including the communities
of Bronx River, Castle Hill, Clason Point, Crotona Park, Harding Park,
Parkchester, Soundview, and parts of Crotona Park East, Ferry Point,
Hunts Point, West Farms, West Tremont, and Zerega. During his swearing
in ceremony, Reverend Díaz conducted the first Pentecostal religious
service ever held inside City Hall. The sermon was delivered by Bishop
Ephrain Navas González, Superintendent of the Northeastern District
of the Church of God.
Rubén
Díaz was born on April 22, 1943 in Bayamón, Puerto Rico
and attended the Miguel Such Vocational School in Río Piedras.
In 1960, he joined the U.S. Armed Forces and proudly served in the Army
until he completed his tour of duty with an honorable discharge in 1963.
Senator
Díaz has made New York City his home since 1965. He attended
Herbert H. Lehman C. College, obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in 1976,
and became the Pastor of the Church of God located on Seward Avenue
in the Bronx. He attended the Damascus Bible Institute, graduating with
a Theological Degree and, in 1978, became an ordained Minister of the
Church of God, headquartered in Cleveland, Tennessee.
In
1977, Reverend Díaz decided to pursue his interest in working
for the betterment of his community by helping the less fortunate. As
a result, in 1977, in the basement of the Church of God on Seward Avenue,
Reverend Díaz founded, and was until recently Executive Director
of, the Christian Community Benevolent Association, Inc. That organization
is a non-profit CBO geared toward helping the elderly and the needy.
The C.C.B.A. presently employs 1000 people and serves more than 5000
senior citizens residing in Bronx County. Senator Díaz also founded,
and is the Pastor of, the Christian Community Neighborhood Church.
In
1993, Reverend Díaz was appointed to serve on the New York City
Civilian Complaint Review Board. In that capacity, he served the people
of the City of New York for three years, investigating allegations of
police brutality and misconduct.
Reverend
Díaz received an honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities in 1997,
bestowed upon him for his tireless humanitarian work by the National
Evangelical University of the Dominican Republic (Universidad Nacional
Evangélica de la República Dominicana).
Senator
Rubén Díaz is the proud father of three children: Damaris
Díaz Kiley, who is a Sergeant in the New York Police Department;
Samuel Díaz, who works for the New York City Housing Authority;
and Assemblyman Rubén Díaz, Jr., who is the youngest member
of the New York State Assembly, representing the 75th Assembly District
in Bronx County. Senator Díaz is also the proud grandfather of
five grandchildren. He is happily married to Leslie Yvette Díaz.
Standing
Committee Assignments 2004: Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (Ranking Minority);
Aging; Children and Families; Crime Victims, Crime and Correction; Higher
Education; Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities; Social Services;
Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.
VOTE
IN 2002 GENERAL ELECTION
Ruben
Diaz, Dem 24,580
Pedro Espada, Jr., Rep 5,033; Ind 7,768 12,801
Richard Retcho, Con 382
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