From the floor of the House of Representatives, Congressman George Latimer recognized local NAACP leaders in the 16th Congressional District which consist of a small portion of the northern Bronx (specifically the neighborhood of Co-op City, Bronx) and the southern half of Westchester County, including the mixed suburban/urban cities of White Plains, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Rye, Thursdsay afternoon.
“The vibrant African American community in the Bronx and Westchester County have had a tireless advocate on their side for decades, the NAACP. fighting for reform and social progress, the rights and residence who want a fair shot in life and a better today and tomorrow for their children. We are all familiar with the effective advocacy of the NAACP, including the lifetime achievement of Dr. Hazel Dukes, who recently passed away, but there are local heroes who do exceptional work in our hometown neighborhood. Let me recognize some of these key branch leaders. In Co-Op City, Leslie Peterson and Brenda Brown, in New Rochelle, Aisha Cook and Jareca Lee, in Yonkers Kisha Skipper and Karen Edmonson, in Williamsbridge Laura Rhodan and Shirley Fearon, in Mount Vernon, Kathie Brewington and AJ Woodson, in White Plains/Greenburgh Janice Griffith, in Port Chester Rye James J. Henderson III and other leaders such as Mnister Mark McLean, the Rev, Frank Coleman and the Rev Margaret Fountain-Coleman. Their hard work and principled advocacy for equal rights, economic justice, and education warrants recognition on the floor of the House of Representatives,” Rep Latimer shared.
The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.
In related news, the Mount Vernon City School District is inducting U.S. Rep. George Latimer (16th District), former NY State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson, and longtime CBS New York meteorologist Elise Finch Henriques (posthumously) into the Mount Vernon High School Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
U.S. Rep. George Latimer (16th District) was born and grew up in Mount Vernon, graduating from Mount Vernon High School in 1970, and graduating with a B.A. from Fordham University in 1974, as well as a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from New York University’s Wagner School in 1976.
Latimer took office as Westchester County Executive in January 2018 and was re-elected to a second term in November 2021. He won the 16th District race in November 2024 and took office in January 2025.
During his tenure as County Executive, Latimer upheld an impressive record of achievements including three consecutive County property tax cuts and credit rating stabilization. He is also responsible for bringing several long-standing infrastructure projects to fruition, including the historic Elijah J. Miller House, Sprain Ridge Pool, New Rochelle Family Court, and the North and South County Trailways. Latimer broke ground on Memorial Field in Mount Vernon and unveiled the County’s 9/11 First Responders Memorial on the 20th Anniversary of the September 11 attacks, dedicated to the heroes who passed away from 9/11 related illnesses. Over the years, Latimer has received public recognition and awards from numerous Westchester and Hudson Valley organizations for his work, including by the Sarah Neuman Center, the Washingtonville Housing Alliance, Congregation Anshe Sholom in New Rochelle, the Port Chester/Rye Brook Chamber of Commerce, the Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce, LMC-TV, Council of Community Services in Port Chester-Rye Town, Helping Hands and the NY State Association of School Psychologists.
