Jose Rivera (politician)
Encyclopedia
Jose Rivera is a member of the New York State Assembly
, representing the Fordham-Bedford, Kingsbridge Heights
, Bedford Park
, and Belmont
sections of the Bronx. A prominent New York
Democrat, Mr. Rivera was elected to the Assembly in 2000, and was the head of the Democratic Party in the Bronx until he was ousted in 2008 by the so-called Rainbow Rebels. This is Mr. Rivera's second stint in the State Assembly; having previously served in the State Assembly from 1983 to 1987 until becoming a member of the New York City Council
where he served from 1987 to 2000. Prior to his election to the Assembly in 1982, Mr. Rivera gained prominence as a labor advocate and organizer of construction workers and "gypsy" taxicab
drivers.
Mr. Rivera was a vocal advocate for the withdrawal of the U.S. Navy from its bombing range on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico
, and was arrested in 2001, together with Al Sharpton
and other political figures, for trespassing onto the Navy's Vieques facility. The Navy subsequently agreed to withdraw from the Vieques facility.
Mr. Rivera was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico
, in 1936. Two of his children, Joel Rivera
and Naomi Rivera
, are also elected officials in the Bronx, members of the New York City Council
and New York State Assembly, respectively.
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
, representing the Fordham-Bedford, Kingsbridge Heights
Kingsbridge Heights, Bronx
Kingsbridge Heights is a working class residential neighborhood geographically located in the northwest Bronx, New York City. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 8. Its boundaries are Van Cortlandt Park to the north, Jerome Avenue to the east, Kingsbridge Road to the south, and the...
, Bedford Park
Bedford Park, Bronx
Bedford Park is a residential neighborhood in the northwest Bronx between the New York Botanical Garden and Lehman College. Its boundaries, starting from the north and moving clockwise are: Mosholu Parkway to the north, Webster Avenue to the east, East 198th Street to the south, and Jerome Avenue...
, and Belmont
Belmont, Bronx
Belmont is a residential neighborhood geographically located in the west Bronx. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 6. Its boundaries, starting from the north and moving clockwise are: Fordham Road to the north, Bronx Park to the east, East 183rd Street to the south, and the Third...
sections of the Bronx. A prominent New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Democrat, Mr. Rivera was elected to the Assembly in 2000, and was the head of the Democratic Party in the Bronx until he was ousted in 2008 by the so-called Rainbow Rebels. This is Mr. Rivera's second stint in the State Assembly; having previously served in the State Assembly from 1983 to 1987 until becoming a member of the New York City Council
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
where he served from 1987 to 2000. Prior to his election to the Assembly in 1982, Mr. Rivera gained prominence as a labor advocate and organizer of construction workers and "gypsy" taxicab
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
drivers.
Mr. Rivera was a vocal advocate for the withdrawal of the U.S. Navy from its bombing range on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, and was arrested in 2001, together with Al Sharpton
Al Sharpton
Alfred Charles "Al" Sharpton, Jr. is an American Baptist minister, civil rights activist, and television/radio talk show host. In 2004, he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidential election...
and other political figures, for trespassing onto the Navy's Vieques facility. The Navy subsequently agreed to withdraw from the Vieques facility.
Mr. Rivera was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, in 1936. Two of his children, Joel Rivera
Joel Rivera
Joel Rivera is the Majority Leader of the New York City Council. Elected in a special election in 2001 at 22 years of age, Rivera was the youngest person ever elected to the New York City Council in its history.-Early life and education:...
and Naomi Rivera
Naomi Rivera
Naomi Rivera represents District 80 in the New York State Assembly, which encompasses Morris Park, Van Cortlandt Village, Pelham Parkway, Pelham Gardens, and Norwood, among other communities located in The Bronx....
, are also elected officials in the Bronx, members of the New York City Council
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
and New York State Assembly, respectively.