FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 11, 2019

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Passing Of Former Assembly Speaker Mel Miller


It is with great sadness that I join my colleagues in mourning the death of former Assembly Speaker Mel Miller.

Mel represented the 44th Assembly District in Brooklyn for 21 years, five of those years he served as Speaker. During his time in the Assembly, he fought so every person in our state would be counted - both by exercising their right to vote, and being counted by the census. He created the Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise to promote equality of economic opportunities. Mel fought to get New York's students a quality education, including major increases in state aid to education and community colleges, and helped modernize the New York City school system. He championed toxic tort legislation to allow victims of diseases caused by exposure to chemicals the ability to seek damages. Under Mel's leadership, the Assembly was the first legislative body in the nation to debate an assault weapons ban.

On behalf of all the members of the Assembly, I offer to his loved ones our deepest condolences. May he rest in peace.