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Born
in the parish of St. Andrew in the Caribbean island of Jamaica, Noah
Nickolas Perry was the fourth son in a family of eleven
children raised by the late Reynold and Elvie Perry.
Assemblyman
Perry completed his secondary education in Jamaica, graduating from
Kingston College (H.S.), where he had attended on a full scholarship.
Upon graduating, Assemblyman Perry found employment at the Bustamante
Industrial Trade Union and worked there until he migrated to the United
States in the summer of 1971.
In 1972, Assemblyman Perry was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he
served on active duty for two years and inactive reserve for four years.
He was honorably discharged in 1978.
Assemblyman Perry is a graduate of Brooklyn College, where he earned
a B.A. in Political Science, and later studied for an M.A. in Public
Policy and Administration. While at Brooklyn College, Assemblyman Perry
co-founded the United Students League, and was the graduate student
delegate to the University Student Senate.
Assemblyman Perry is married to Joyce (nee Mahabeer) and they have two
children, daughter Novalie, and son Nickolas Alexander.
The Assemblyman began active community involvement upon graduation from
college in 1978, working as a volunteer in many election campaigns,
including Percy Sutton for Mayor, Jimmy Carter for President, Jesse
Jackson for President (1984 and 1988), and David Dinkins for Mayor in
1989.
In 1983, Assemblyman Perry was appointed a member of Community Board
17, and in September 1984, he was on the ballot making his first run
for elective office as a candidate for District Leader in the 42nd A.D.
In 1986, Assemblyman Perry tried again for the District Leadership and
was again unsuccessful, but he also continued to increase his participation
in community problem solving. Assemblyman Perry served during this period
as a member of the Executive Board of the 67th Police Precinct Community
Council, and as a director of the Flatbush East Community Development
Corporation. He gained full recognition as a community leader when he
was elected as Chairman of Community Board 17 in 1988, also becoming
a member of the Brooklyn Borough Board.
Prior to election as Chairman, Assemblyman Perry had served one elected
term as 2nd Vice-Chairman. He also chaired the Board's Land Use, Planning,
Zoning and Landmarks Committee, and developed expertise in N.Y. City's
Land Use and Zoning laws and procedures. As Community Board Chairman,
Assemblyman Perry participated in the development of the N.Y.C. budget,
and gained a reputation as a strong advocate for the needs of the neighborhoods
he represented.
In 1988, Assemblyman Perry also ran for the Assembly, but lost a surprisingly
close race, doing much better than expected. In 1991, Assemblyman Perry's
election to the New York City Council seemed assured with the final
districting plans adopted with a new open district in East Flatbush
but destiny would not let it be. Perry lost again in a race crowded
with seven candidates running against an entrenched and well financed
incumbent. The 1992 reapportioned districts created the new 58 A.D.,
joining Perry's stronghold in East Flatbush with portions of Canarsie
and Brownsville. He was able to quickly mobilize the support that resulted
in a primary victory and an unchallenged general election.
Assemblyman Perry serves on the Assembly Committees of Banks, Energy,
Labor, Higher Education, Insurance, and Transportation, and the Subcommittee
on Transportation Safety. The Assemblyman was appointed in February
1996 to chair the Assembly Subcommittee on Community Colleges. Assemblyman
Perry is also a member of the N.Y.S. Black and Puerto Rican Legislative
Caucus and was first Vice Chairman during the 1997-98 term.
Re-elected to a fifth consecutive term in November 2001, Assemblyman
Perry was appointed by Speaker Silver as Vice-chair of the Assembly
Majority Conference. This appointment elevated Assemblyman Perry to
a leadership position in the Democrats `99 Member Majority in the current
term.
Assemblyman Perry is a life member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV);
a former member of the Board of Directors of Nazareth Regional High
School; Caribbean Action Lobby; and worships at St. Vincent Ferrer Roman
Catholic Church.
Standing Committee Assignments 2001: Banks; Energy; Higher Education;
Insurance; Labor; Transportation.
N. Nick Perry, Dem. 19,320; Lib. 258; Wor. 614
Joseph N.O. Caesar, Con. 132
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