Today, Representative Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), the House Democratic Leader, in partnership with NYS Office of General Services, celebrated the rededication of the Shirley A. Chisholm State Office Building and commemorated the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Rep. Shirley Chisholm. 

In 2009, alongside State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, then-Assemblyman Jeffries led the passage of Assembly Bill A5365 to rename 55 Hanson Place after Rep. Chisholm, part of an effort to prevent it from being sold to developers.

Leader Jeffries represents New York’s Eighth Congressional District, which includes much of the same areas formerly represented by Rep. Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to serve in Congress.

Jeffries was joined at the celebration by NYS Attorney General Letitia James, NYS Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy, Representative Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and Council Member Crystal Hudson (CD 35). 

“This State Office Building here in Brooklyn provides the people that we serve with housing assistance, educational assistance, benefit assistance and access to those who have been charged with representing the community. And we wanted to make sure that this building could remain as a center of service and opportunity for the people of Central Brooklyn,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “When you look at the building, look at the lobby, look at the exterior, look at the lettering and look at the atrium that’s been renovated, you can see that this building will continue to be a tremendous living testament to what Shirley Chisholm has done and what she has represented.” 

“Shirley Chisholm spoke truth to power and always stood up for hardworking people in New York and nationwide,” said New York State Attorney General Letitia James. “I am proud to celebrate what would have been her 100th birthday with the rededication of the Shirley Chisholm State Office Building, where countless public servants honor her legacy by coming to work every day on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers. Thank you, Leader Jeffries, for your continued leadership in honoring Shirley Chisholm and standing up for our communities in Washington.”

“Shirley A. Chisholm dedicated her life’s work to bettering the lives of those in her community, state, and country. The State Office Building at 55 Hanson Place is home to several agencies dedicated to serving many of the same communities that Congresswoman Chisholm fought tirelessly for and was fittingly renamed in her honor by New York State in 2010. Today, a few days from her 100th birthday, we gathered alongside New York State’s trailblazers of today to reflect on her visionary legacy and leadership,” said New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy. “As part of Governor Hochul’s commitment to ensuring our spaces meet the needs of a modern state workforce and the New Yorkers we serve, OGS is leading a comprehensive capital program that will ensure that this building remains a vital center of government in Brooklyn and a longstanding tribute to Congresswoman Chisholm.”

“As New York prepares to commemorate its first Shirley Chisholm Day, I am immensely proud and grateful to see our community continue to demonstrate precisely what the name, story, and legacy of Shirley Chisholm means to Brooklyn through the rededication of the Shirley A. Chisholm State Office Building. Congresswoman Chisholm was a true trailblazer of our history, who was determined to live her American Dream out loud and never failed to fight for the causes that mattered most to her. Her extraordinary career is what empowered me, as well as countless other women across our country, to lead our own journeys in public service,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09). “My gratitude is with my friend, Leader Hakeem Jeffries, for hosting today’s special ceremony, and I look forward to working at his side to ensure the remarkable life of Congresswoman Shirley Anita Chisholm is long celebrated within Brooklyn and throughout this nation.” 

“I am an elected official today because of the path strong, Black women like Shirley Chisholm laid for me and others,” said New York City Council Member Crystal Hudson (CD 35). “Today’s rededication of the Shirley Chisholm Office Building will ensure every person who walks through the doors to visit my office know about Rep. Chisholm and her extensive accomplishments. The agencies in this building uphold Rep. Chisholm’s legacy of uplifting marginalized communities and providing direct support to New Yorkers by offering food assistance, benefits enrollment, and other crucial services. I am proud that the New York City Council recently passed a resolution to declare November 30 as Shirley Chisholm Day and am proud to call the Shirley Chisholm Office Building the center of District 35’s operations. I thank Leader Jeffries, Rep. Clarke, Attorney General James, Commissioner Moy, and the many other elected officials and government staff who made this dream a reality.”

In time for the 100th anniversary of Shirley Chisholm’s birth, today’s rededication includes repairs to the exterior facade, updated lettering, new decals in the elevator lobby and a renovated atrium. A plaque will be installed to commemorate the rededication at a later date. 

Video of the press conference can be found here.

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