Joel Rivera
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| Joel Rivera | |
|---|---|
| New York City Councilmember for District 15 | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office February 20, 2001 |
|
| Preceded by | Jose Rivera |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1978 (age 33–34) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Valerie Vazquez-Rivera |
| Relations | Jose Rivera (father), Naomi Rivera (sister) |
| Children | 1 |
| Committees | Health (Chair); Finance; Housing & Buildings; Land Use; Rules, Privileges & Elections; State & Federal Legislation; Zoning & Franchises |
| Website | http://council.nyc.gov/d15/html/members/home.shtml |
Joel Rivera (born 1978) is the Majority Leader of the New York City Council. Elected in a special election in 2001 at 22 years of age,[1] Rivera was the youngest person ever elected to the New York City Council in its history.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life and education
Joel Rivera was born to Ivine Galarza and Jose Rivera. Rivera attended New York Military Academy,[3] a private boarding school.
[edit] Career
Rivera succeeded his father, Assemblyman Jose Rivera, as the New York City Councilmember for District 15 in 2001.[4] He became Majority Leader of the city council the following year. As chair of the Health committee, he helped to ban trans fat and mandate calorie labeling in New York City fast food restaurants,[5] and launched an Obesity Prevention Initiative, which funded the HealthCorps program in local schools.[6]
[edit] Marriage and children
Joel married Valerie Vazquez-Rivera in July 2006.[7] The couple has a daughter, Sophia.
[edit] References
- ^ Hicks, Jonathan P. (2001-02-21). "Fordham Student Is Elected To Father's Old Council Seat". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/21/nyregion/fordham-student-is-elected-to-father-s-old-council-seat.html.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Paybarah, Azi (2006-12-17). "The Rivera Family". New York Observer. http://www.observer.com/node/36431.
- ^ Hicks, Jonathan P. (2005-03-09). "Name Recognition Is Easy When Names Are the Same". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E0DD163CF93AA35750C0A9639C8B63.
- ^ Rivera, Ray (2007-02-26). "City Council May Change Menu Rule on Calories". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/26/nyregion/26food.html.
- ^ ”6M Fat Fight” New York Post, June 6, 2007
- ^ "Valerie Vazquez and Joel Rivera". New York Times. 2006-07-16. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/fashion/weddings/16vazquez.html.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jose Rivera |
New York City Council, 15th District 2001–present |
Incumbent |
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