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Biography courtesy of www.ferrer2005.com
Walk with Fernando Ferrer on the sidewalks of New York, ride
with him on the subway, or sit with him in any diner in town,
and you’ll hear a chorus that grows in familiarity.
“Go get ‘em, Freddy.”
“Hola, Freddy.”
“Mr. Ferrer, I have something I need your help with….”
New Yorkers always have found Fernando Ferrer to be understanding
and easy to talk to, the kind of leader whom you wouldn’t
think twice about approaching. An authentic New Yorker, Ferrer
honors his roots, sees his own life mirrored in the life of
his city, and has made his life’s mission to help the
city that provided him with so many opportunities.
Before he was a public servant, borough president, Mayoral candidate,
and a leader with a national reputation, Freddy Ferrer was the
son of the South Bronx, raised by his mother and by his grandmother,
who worked in the kitchen of the Waldorf-Astoria. In classic
New York fashion, he took his inspiration from their work ethic
and worked his way up.
Ferrer went to New York University, got involved in community
service as a student, entered politics, and was elected to the
City Council at the age of 32. There, he continued to hear his
grandmother’s voice. Remembering how he’d had to
translate for her when she was hospitalized, he authored legislation
requiring interpreters in City emergency rooms. Freddy went
on to chair the Health Committee, author legislation that has
generated hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in the
City, fight for anti-discrimination laws on behalf of gays and
lesbians, and lead the fight for a Civilian Complaint Review
Board for the New York Police Department.
Fernando Ferrer is also a builder of national renown, a reputation
he earned during his 14-year tenure as the Bronx Borough President.
Ferrer entered public service when the Bronx was a symbol of
urban decay and neglect. National attention led to a Federal
commitment to rebuild. Fernando Ferrer oversaw that rebuilding,
a task he tackled with stunning results, transforming what was
once a national symbol of urban decay into an international
model for urban revival. During the Ferrer administration over
66,000 small homes and apartments were built, over 34,000 new
jobs were created by hundreds of new businesses and over 2.5
billion dollars were invested in institutional renewal and growth.
In 2001 Ferrer ran for Mayor of New York City. He won the Democratic
primary for Mayor of New York City, following a historic campaign
that highlighted the issues that affect all New Yorkers. After
the horrific events of September 11th, 2001, he came within
a few thousand votes of winning a primary run-off to become
the Democratic nominee for Mayor. More importantly, his candidacy
inspired thousands of New Yorkers to participate in civic life
by voting for the first time.
Ferrer went on to serve as president of the progressive Drum
Major Institute for Public Policy, an organization founded in
1961 to support the civil rights leadership of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Ferrer has refocused the energies of DMI to tackling
policies that are threatening the working poor and those who
can't provide for themselves while eroding the middle class,
the backbone of New York City.
As Freddy Ferrer ponders a campaign for Mayor, he stands ready
as a seasoned, informed, and engaged New York leader. He enjoys
a national reputation as an urban planner and rebuilder of cities,
a vocal advocate for protecting the middle class. Most of all,
he relies on decades of experience, growing up in and working
for New York City, from the example of his grandmother’s
hard work to the challenge of meeting the needs of all New Yorkers.
That experience has forged his view of New York and has shaped
his commitment to its future.
Keep visiting the Gala website for updates on this amazing event.
For information on assisting with the event, please contact:
frodriguez@launidadlatina.org.
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