New YorkGovernor David Paterson
A native of Brooklyn, Governor Paterson graduated from Columbia University in 1977 and earned a law degree from Hofstra Law School in 1982. In 1985, he was elected to represent Harlem in the New York State Senate, where he served for more than 20 years, becoming minority leader in 2003. In 2006 he was elected New York's first African-American lieutenant governor. As lieutenant governor, Paterson focused on several issues crucial to New York's future, putting forth a statewide renewable energy strategy; working towards the prevention and the empowering of victims of domestic violence; and serving as the primary champion for minority- and women-owned businesses in New York. Governor Paterson, who is legally blind, is a nationally recognized advocate for the visually and physically impaired. He became New York's 55th governor, and the state's first African-American governor, during a joint session of the New York State Legislature on March 17, 2008. |
