Senator James Sanders Jr.'s Statement on the Passing of Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

I am deeply saddened by the passing of David Dinkins. As New York City’s first and only African-American Mayor, he was a trailblazer who worked diligently to unify the city during a time of much racial strife, violence and economic inequality, yet he does not get the accolades he truly deserves. I, and others, stand on his shoulders. He set the foundation for the work that could be later accomplished to transform this city. He inherited challenging circumstances and he rose to the occasion. 

David Dinkins served in the Marine Corps from July 1945 through August 1946, attaining the rank of private first class. As a Marine Corps veteran myself, I can tell you that Marines lead from the front and that's what David Dinkins did. He increased affordable housing to reduce homelessness, tackled the HIV/AIDS epidemic and decreased crime by creating the "Safe Streets, Safe City" program.

David Dinkins accomplished so many great things during his long and illustrious life that it would take many pages to name them all. He saw the city as a "beautiful mosaic," and I think that it something we all strive to celebrate and preserve. He was a role model and inspiration to many and he will be greatly missed.