KEVIN S. PARKER

 

State Senator Kevin Parker has lived a storied life on his journey to his current position on the leadership team of the New York State Senate Democratic Majority. When he was first elected State Senator, he had the distinction of being the youngest serving member of the body at age thirty-five. Now among his leadership accolades is being the most senior African American Senator in the Senate.

 

As the first and only State representative of the 21st Senate District in Brooklyn, he is intimately familiar with the needs of his constituents in the diverse neighborhoods of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Kensington, Ditmas Park, Midwood, Flatlands, Canarsie, Georgetown, Old Mill Basin, Mill Basin, Marine Park, and Bergen Beach.

 

Engendering the trust and respect of his colleagues, Senator Parker was recently appointed Senior Assistant Majority Leader Majority and serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy & Telecommunications - with the added distinction of being its longest serving member. He is a leading voice nationwide on energy matters and the creator and primary sponsor of Intersolar Summit Northeast, the largest solar energy conference on the East Coast which gathers experts in the field to discuss real solutions to bringing about a solar energy future. Additionally, Senator Parker is a member of the following Senate Committees: Finance; Rules; Judiciary; Select Majority Task Force on Diversity in the Judiciary; Banks; Health; Civil Service and Pensions; Internet and Technology; Select Majority Task Force on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises.

 

Before the emergence of his political career, Senator Parker amassed knowledge in finance in both the public and private sectors with his work as Special Assistant to former New York State Comptroller H. Carl McCall, Project Manager with the New York State Urban Development Corporation, and Director of Government Affairs at UBS PaineWebber.

 

He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Service at Penn State and holds a Master of Science Degree in Urban Policy and Management from the New School for Social Research. His commitment to education has taken him into the classroom as an African-American Studies and Political Science professor at several colleges.

 

Well-known for his ardent dedication to his constituency and legislative initiatives surrounding issues of education, energy, quality health services delivery, economic development and domestic violence, Senator Parker approaches his job with a sense of purpose and dedication to duty and is well respected for his political prowess. This status is supported by a prolific legislative profile which include legislation such as: mandatory jail time for repeat violators of orders of protection; unlisted or anonymous telephone numbers within 15 days for victims of domestic violence; increased safety for community treatment center residents against eviction; enhancing the ability of cemeteries to treat the remains of deceased veterans with respect; and protecting seniors from disasters by including the Office for the Aging in the Governor’s Disaster Preparedness Commission.

 

As a representative of the people, Senator Parker is committed to working with all communities to realize his ultimate aim of ensuring adequate representation for all New Yorkers. He is a proud member of the Alpha Chapter of the Pi Eta Honor Society and among his many catchphrases is the oft quoted expression: “Bring good into the world and let no good be lost.”