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A
native of Manhattan, Assemblyman Keith L.T.
Wright has earned a reputation as a dedicated and thoughtful
public servant who gets results for his constituents. Active in his Harlem
community, Wright has helped grow small businesses, create affordable
housing, and increase opportunities for youth.
Wright
was elected to the Assembly in 1992, and appointed Assistant Majority
Whip in 1998. As chair of the Election Law Committee, Wright is currently
charged with the important task of spearheading New York’s implementation
of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).
A member of both the Labor Committee and the Subcommittee of Equal Economic
Opportunity and Human Rights, Wright is a prime sponsor of legislation
to create a "Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights" which will
ensure that domestic workers receive fair wages, working hours and benefits.
Additionally, Wright is prime sponsor of legislation that would allow
seniors to travel free on public transportation on off-peak hours.
Among other legislative accomplishments, Wright, as a member of the Housing
Committee, was a co-sponsor of the critical legislation that protected
rent controls. Wright also chairs the Subcommittee on Public Housing,
where he champions the rights of tenants through extensive hearings and
legislation.
A member of the Correction Committee and the Task Force on Criminal Justice
Reform, Wright is a strong opponent of the death penalty and the Rockefeller
Drug Laws and an advocate for criminal justice reform. Following the terrible
Alberta Spruill incident, a case of mistaken identity that led to death
when police stormed the wrong apartment, Wright introduced legislation
that would reform "no knock" search warrants. That legislation
was an integral part of the Community Relations Policing Package, which
served to change the way in which the police dealt with communities of
color.
Other committee assignments include Banks and Codes. Wright is also the
former chair and current member of the Black, Puerto Rican and Hispanic
Legislative Caucus and a member of the Puerto Rican/ Hispanic Task Force.
As chair of the Harlem Community Development Corporation (CDC), Wright
leveraged limited resources to make a substantial, tangible impact on
economic development in Harlem, developing and renovating properties to
create hundreds of units of affordable housing, grow small businesses,
increase services for children and seniors and expand cultural venues.
Wright is also responsible for bringing to Harlem its first High School
football team in decades – the 369th Harlem Hellfighters of the
Thurgood Marshall Academy.
A graduate of Rutgers Law School, Tufts University, the Fieldston School
and the Ethical Culture School, Wright credits his parents for teaching
him the importance of strong values, commitment to community and defense
of civil rights. Wright is the son of legendary New York Supreme Court
Justice Bruce Wright, now retired and mother Constance Wright –
a long time educator and former principal in the New York City public
school system.
Prior to serving as Assemblyman, Wright held positions in the City’s
Human Resources Administration, the Manhattan Borough President’s
Office and the New York City Transit Authority.
Keith Wright lives in Harlem with his wife, Susan, and children, Jared
and Jordan. He is a board member of Tufts University, and attends St.
Phillips Episcopal Church.
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