City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) kicked off his second term on Sunday with a grandiose, pride-filled inauguration ceremony.
The inauguration Sunset Park High School, 153 35th Street, had some of New York’s most prominent elected officials in attendance including Senator Chuck Schumer, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Council Speaker, Corey Johnson, Public Advocate Letitia James and Councilmembers Chaim Deutsch and Jumaane Williams.
The program began with some opening remarks from Menchaca himself, who dedicated the inauguration to everyone who cared enough to show up.
“I dedicate today, this inauguration, to all of you,” said Menchaca. “Our residents, our community leaders, our faith leaders, our elected officials… those who were just born, and those who have used their own wisdom to wield some incredible power in our neighborhoods.”
Afterwards, he passed the mic to the elected officials in attendance, the first of whom was Schumer, who called the day, “a great day for Carlos, and a great day for the 38th District.” To Schumer, Menchaca’s inauguration epitomizes all the best qualities of America.
“One of the ways we know [our democracy] is strong is that someone like Carlos could get into the position he has,” said Schumer. “He was born in El Paso, Texas… he was raised in public housing. He climbed the ladder, he cared about the community, he worked step-by-step, learning, helping, growing. He got here the old-fashioned way. He earned it.”
Velazquez brought up the fact that the inauguration took place a day before Martin Luther King Day. She could think of no better way to honor Dr. King’s memory than to celebrate the work of someone like Menchaca – a minority who worked his way to the top and who continually fights for social and economic justice.
“ Carlos, your reelection is a powerful symbol of how our city continues to evolve,” said Velazquez. “And yes, this is a powerful message to Donald Trump, that in New York, we reject his vision of a hateful, small-minded America.”
Johnson spoke at length about all of the work that Menchaca did prior to being elected, proving that he’s always been devoted to the community.
“Carlos is a principled person. Carlos has incredible integrity,” said Johnson. “When Superstorm Sandy hit, and these communities were underwater and devastated, Carlos said, ‘Send me! Send me! I want to be the one living in temporary shelters with people whose homes have been damaged! I want to be the one who fights for cyclists and pedestrians here in Sunset Park.’”
After the elected officials in attendance all said their part, Carlos stood back up to take his oath of office. This was followed with uproarious applause from the audience, along with a chant of, “¡Sî, se puede!” (“Yes, one can!”)
Menchaca concluded the afternoon with his long-awaited inaugural address. He pledged to spend his second term “changing the relationship” between the community and government.
“You should be at the front and center of leadership roles to guide government, so that government can respond to us,” said Menchaca. “It’s pretty simple. It’s pretty basic, almost. It’s also powerful. This is a time of serious threats… but together, every day, I know we have the strength and the ability to address housing crises, to preserve the history in our neighborhoods, to confront climate change and come up with solutions… and we will do that, together, with pride and with power.”
And though Menchaca talked about the numerous community improvements he fostered in during his first term – including the establishment of six new schools in the 38th District, the reconstruction of the Sunset Park Library, and the plans for a new skate park at Harold Ickes Park – he made sure to point out that his voters and constituents deserve most of the credit.
“I could not worked in this kind of successful way without hearing directly from you,” said Menchaca. “And that is the direct participatory democracy that is fueling me every single day.”
