New York, N.Y. – City Council Resolution 115 to support allowing 16- and 17-year olds to serve on their local community boards passed through the City Council today.

The successful vote for the resolution, introduced by Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer and co-sponsored by Council Members Ben Kallos, Ritchie Torres, Mark Levine and James Vacca, signals New York City’s support of Senate bill S04142, sponsored by Senator Andrew Lanza and Assembly bill A02448 sponsored by Assembly Member Nily Rozic, which would amend the Public Officers Law and City Charter to allow youth to serve.

The City Council resolution was also sponsored by Council Members Maria Del Carmen Arroyo, Andrew Cohen, Costa Constantinides, Andy King, Brad Lander, Antonio Reynoso, Deborah Rose, James Van Bramer, Rosie Mendez, Carlos Menchaca, Donovan Richards and James Vacca. It passed the City Council Committee on Governmental Operations on Monday.

“I have been working for years to ensure that young people have a greater voice in their communities. Allowing them to serve on Community Boards benefits communities by bringing a needed youth perspective to the forefront – and benefits youth by engaging them in civic activities at a young age. I join the Council in calling on Albany to pass legislation to make this happen,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer.

“There are 8.3 million people in our city, and 20 percent of them are under the age of 18. These New Yorkers deserve a voice on their local community boards,” said City Council Member Ben Kallos. “When Scott Stringer was 16, he was appointed to his local board. He helped his community and laid the groundwork for a lifetime of public service. I believe we will see many more stories like this one when young people can serve on their boards, and call on Albany to pass legislation right away.”