Members Hailing From All Five Boroughs Say NYC Has the Logistics, the Capacity and Venues to Host Convention In 2016
BROOKLYN- Today, New York City Council Members from all five boroughs expressed their strong support for the drive to bring the 2016 Democratic National Convention to New York. The members noted that New York City has an unparalleled history and infrastructure that makes Brooklyn the clear choice to host the Democratic National Convention.
“New York is where Democratic values are more than words, it’s where Democrats have achieved real, meaningful progress that has made people’s lives better,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “That’s why, in 2016, the Democratic Party—the Party of the Middle Class—should hold its convention in the home of the middle class. Come 2016, the Democratic National Committee should look no further than Brooklyn, New York, to nominate the Democrat who will go onto be the next President of the United States.”
“The spirit of democracy and opportunity lives in the men and women who call Brooklyn home. Our borough’s cultural and economic diversity is a reflection of the American people, and the ideal setting for the Democratic National Convention,” said Council Member Laurie Cumbo. “This is a pivotal time in our city’s history to demonstrate our innovative ideas and leadership on local and national issues. We hope to win the bid to welcome this exciting event to the 35th Council district, which I proudly represent.”
“It is time for New York City to take the national stage by hosting the Democratic Party,” said New York City Council Majority Leader and Chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee, Jimmy Van Bramer. “The 2016 Democratic National Convention will give tens of thousands of delegates the ability to take advantage of some of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions who call our City home and show tens of millions throughout the Country all that New York City has to offer. As the cultural capital of the world, millions flock to New York City each year to take in some of the greatest works of art, shows and exhibitions that have ever been created. Culture, the arts and politics have always been intertwined and our City is poised to showcase our passion for them all. There is no greater moment than the Democratic National Convention to intertwine our passions as we seek to guide our nation forward and show the world all New York City has to offer.”
“It would be great to see the 2016 Democratic National Convention come to New York City. Our great city has all the amenities necessary to host this kind of event and would offer an opportunity to significantly boost our local economy,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.
“Having had the privilege of being a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention in North Carolina, I’m an enthusiastic supporter of the campaign to bring the 2014 DNC to Brooklyn,” said Council Member Robert Cornegy. “We have an amazing venue in the Barclay’s Center served by the biggest transit hub in New York City. Delegates will get around easily, allowing them to revel in the culture of our incredible borough, support local businesses and interact with the largest and most diverse block of Democratic voters in the country. It’s a win-win!”
“New York would be an ideal space to host the Democratic National Convention in 2016,” said Council Member Costa Constantinides. “Our world-class convention venues and facilities are already fit for expansive events. Our public services – from transportation to restaurants to entertainment – are unparalleled. Bringing the DNC to New York is an easy decision.”s
“Hosting the 2016 DNC in Brooklyn would be an opportunity to showcase our City’s diversity, efficiency, and commitment to working families on a national stage,” said Council Member Elizabeth Crowley. “I want to thank Mayor de Blasio for leading this charge and urge the DNC to strongly consider our bid.”
“Fuhgeddaboudit! Democrats will love Brooklyn because so many people from around the country can trace their roots to the borough,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm. “It would be wonderful if the Democratic National Convention came to New York City. More than anywhere else in the United States, our city has the infrastructure, entertainment venues and capacity to ensure the smooth running of such a large-scale event.”
“As a City Council Member who represents District 40, I believe it would be a glorious moment in the history of Brooklyn if the Democratic National Convention was hosted at the Barclay Center in 2016,” said Council Member Mathieu Eugene. “Throughout this great country of ours, there are millions of Americans who were either born or lived in Brooklyn, or whose close relatives at one time called this wonderfully diverse borough their home. It seems only fitting that Brooklyn, a place that has so warmly embraced people from all over America and across the world for many decades, be the location of the next Democratic Convention.”
“NYC has long been a venue for some of our Country’s most historic and proud events,” said Council Member Julissa Ferreras. “Furthermore, as Chairperson of the Finance Committee, bringing the Democratic National Convention to NYC in 2016 would bring millions of dollars to our City’s hotels, restaurants and small businesses –I strongly encourage the DNC to come to NYC.”
“New York City is the greatest city on earth and I’m sure that will be apparent to the Democratic National Committee,” said Council Member Daniel R. Garodnick. “From world class hotels and restaurants, to great public parks and the best cultural institutions in the world – New York City is the perfect backdrop for the 2016 Democratic Convention.”
“One in seven Americans can trace their roots to Brooklyn so history shows Brooklyn is at the crossroads of our country,” said Council Member Vincent J. Gentile. “We too are quickly becoming the crossroads of the world with the cultural and racial diversity of our hometown. We are a true mosaic of our country and of the world. Clearly Brooklyn is America and America is Brooklyn. And that is why the 2016 Democratic National Convention should be held in our backyard!”
“I am absolutely thrilled by the prospect of the upcoming Democratic National Convention being held in New York,” Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson (D-Bronx, 16th CD), chair of the Council’s Public Safety Committee. “New York is called the Big Apple for a reason – because we truly are at the center of so much of our nation’s culture, commerce and history. Bringing the convention here would give our outer boroughs, such as Brooklyn and the Bronx, a wonderful opportunity to shine on a national stage and show the entire country the rich diversity that is New York. I look forward to having our City chosen to be the national launching pad for the Democratic Party’s next nominee for the highest office in the land, and congratulate Mayor de Blasio for his leadership in these efforts. ”
“New York City is already a top tourist destination and a cultural mecca with unbeatable amenities and activities. With our overwhelming number of registered Democrats, it is the perfect site for the 2016 Democratic National Convention,” said Council Member Ben Kallos, former Statewide Coordination Chair for the New York Democratic Lawyers Council, a voting rights project of the DNC. “As hosts, New Yorkers can share our progressive agenda with Democrats nationwide. Under the leadership of Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito, in a short time, we have become one of the most progressive cities in America–making such great strides as paid sick leave, universal pre-k, stop-and-frisk reform, vision zero, transparency around our laws and legislation, and even freezing rents for seniors and the disabled.”
“Within history, this city has been the mega center of all things — from finance to politics. It’s only ideal that New Yorkers have the opportunity to show our democratic pride, diversity, and love for the electoral system by hosting the 2016 Democratic National Convention,” said Council Member Andy King, co-chair of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus.
“There is no better place to showcase our Democratic values than New York City,” said Council Member Peter Koo. “We have both the means and capacity to comfortably accommodate every delegate who will be at the Barclays Center. And as the greatest city on earth, it is only fitting that the next leader of the free world accepts our party’s nomination here.”
“I have been to many conventions and I hope the DNC chooses to hold the 2016 Presidential Convention in Brooklyn. I can think of no other place that has more to offer than New York,” said Council Member Karen Koslowitz.
“Bringing the Democratic National Convention to Brooklyn is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the diversity and the vibrancy of our city and our neighborhoods and promote a progressive political vision for the country,” said Council Member Brad Lander.
“I can’t think of a better place than Brooklyn to hold the Democratic National Convention. People across the country have taken notice of the progressive movement in New York City and by holding the DNC in Brooklyn it will provide Democrats the perfect opportunity to share this vision nationwide,” said Council Member Stephen Levin. “I am excited to support Mayor de Blasio in New York City’s bid to bring the DNC to Brooklyn and look forward to 2016.”
“Picking a convention site should be about choosing the City that is most capable of holding a world-class event and putting on a great show. With our wealth of fantastic accommodations and amenities, excellent public transportation access, and vibrant media market, New York is simply unparalleled,” said Council Member Mark Levine. “Conventions have never been a good place to persuade in-state swing voters, but New York is a perfect venue to speak to party faithful. Our city is a beacon of diversity and has undergone a dramatic urban renaissance in Brooklyn, Harlem, and neighborhoods across the city, representing a bold vision for the future of our nation.”
“I would be delighted to see the DNC come to Brooklyn, the largest Democratic county in the country,” said Council Member Alan Maisel.
“When Brooklyn makes waves, every corner of this country feels the impact. That’s why there’s no other place better than Brooklyn to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention,” said Council Member Carlos Menchaca. “New Yorkers continue to shape our growing progressive agenda that relies on strong partnership with our federal government to advance that agenda—from infrastructure improvements to make our neighborhoods more resilient to structural changes to improve the lives of our immigrant families. Our message to the DNC is clear: Bring it!”
“As the Chair of the Civil Service and Labor Committee, I cannot stress enough the positive economic impact that hosting the Democratic National Convention in 2016 will have on New York City,” said Council Member I. Daneek Miller. “It will also highlight our great City by showcasing the strength of the outer boroughs in hosting the convention and put the achievements of this great progressive movement in New York on center stage for the country to observe. I thank Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Mark-Viverito for their leadership in this campaign and look forward to a DNC in 2016 to be held right here in New York City!
“I am excited about the potential of bringing the DNC to Brooklyn,” said Council Member Antonio Reynoso. “Brooklyn is a hub of Democratic Reform and it would be great to bring the party here to see the work we’re doing to get young people involved in the political process and bring progressive change to New York City.”
“Mayor Bill de Blasio has rightfully billed New York City’s bid to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention as a five-borough experience,” said Council Member Debi Rose. “As a lifelong resident of Staten Island, I look forward to seeing our borough play a supporting role as we nominate our nation’s next president. A Brooklyn-based Democratic National Convention would also demonstrate to the world that New York City — the “capital of the world” — is not just Manhattan, but five diverse boroughs. Finally, by 2016, New York City can showcase a broad range of policies necessary for the continued growth of our nation: affordable housing to sustain and grow the middle class, raising the minimum wage, immigration policy, and advances in high-tech industries diversifying our economy.
“New York has brought a new energy to the Democratic Party over the past year, showing that progressive politics can be brought into the mainstream. Bringing the DNC Convention to Brooklyn in 2016 will make a strong statement to this country that we are looking for leaders with big ideas to end an era of gridlock and begin an era of progress for all Americans. The Barclays Center is a state-of-the-art venue and this city can accommodate all that plan to attend. New York City is ready to lead in overcoming our national challenges and this statement will resonate nationwide with the selection of Brooklyn,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez.
“As a democratic stronghold with a population that reflects every type of voter across the nation, New York City is an ideal location to host the Democratic National Convention,” said Council Member Donovan Richards. “The party needs a strong unified showing to build momentum, share our message, and showcase our candidate. I fully support the bid to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention in New York City.”
“Brooklyn is fast becoming the center of culture and an incubator of many great industries, trends and progressive ideas, so it’s the perfect time to highlight its important role in Democratic politics by hosting the 2016 national convention,” said Council Member Mark Treyger. “This is a great chance to showcase the many unique things about Brooklyn, and with the Democratic Party returning to its roots in recent years, it only makes sense to hold the next convention in a place like Kings County that’s home to an overwhelming number of Democrats. From Greenpoint to Coney Island and everywhere in between, Brooklyn is the place to be and nowhere in this country tops Kings County!”.
“New York City is where the Democratic National Convention belongs. We are the bluest of states, so it only makes sense that the nation’s Democrats convene here. Hosting the DNC will not only be great for the party as a whole, but it will be a boon to our city’s economy and tourism sector,” said Council Member James Vacca.
“I stand with our Speaker in support of the Democratic National Convention coming to NYC,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “Our great city is a perfect reflection of the values and diversity that define the Democratic Party.”
“I have been to many cities that have hosted National Conventions and New York City has the best attributes of all of them,” said Council Member Mark Weprin. “The Big Apple’s unique transportation network, tourist attractions and accommodations make it the ideal host City.”
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