Nydia Velázquez

American politician (born 1953)

Nydia Margarita Velázquez Serrano (born March 28, 1953) is a Puerto Rican-American politician. She has been a member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993. Velázquez, a Democrat from New York was the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus until January 3, 2011.

Nydia Velázquez
Chair of the House Small Business Committee
Assumed office
January 3, 2019
Preceded bySteve Chabot
In office
January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded byDon Manzullo
Succeeded bySam Graves
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from New York
Assumed office
January 3, 1993
Preceded byMajor Owens
Constituency12th district (1993–2013)
7th district (2013–present)
Member of the New York City Council
from the 27th district
In office
1984–1985
Preceded byLuis Olmedo
Succeeded byVictor L. Robles
Personal details
Born
Nydia Margarita Velázquez

(1953-03-28) March 28, 1953 (age 70)
Limones, Puerto Rico
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Paul Bader
EducationUniversity of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras (BA)
New York University (MA)

Velázquez is the first Puerto Rican woman to serve in the United States Congress.[1][2]

In March 2020, Velázquez was diagnosed with a possible case of COVID-19 during the coronavirus pandemic.[3]

References change

  1. Maria Newman, From Puerto Rico to Congress, a Determined Path, New York Times (September 27, 1992).
  2. Mary B. W. Tabor, The 1992 Campaign: 12th District Woman in the News; Loyalty and Labor; Nydia M. Velazquez, New York Times (September 17, 1992).
  3. "House chairwoman diagnosed with 'presumed' coronavirus infection". MSN. March 30, 2020.