In Memory of Senator Jose R. Peralta
The Legacy of Senator Jose R. Peralta
Senator Jose R. Peralta made history by becoming the first Dominican-American elected to the New York Senate when he assumed office in District 13. He served from 2010 until his death in 2018.
Peralta's tenure was marked by a focus on immigration justice, support for working-class families, access to quality education for all children and advocacy for LGBT rights.
Remembering the Life of Senator Jose R. Peralta
Peralta was most notable as his chamber's leading champion for undocumented young people whom he believed deserved equal opportunity to achieve the American Dream. He introduced the New York DREAM Act in 2013 and increased its support over the following years.
New York political history will remember Senator Peralta as a legislator of principled advocacy and genuine kindness. The Peralta family looks forward to watching his legacy live on through every civic-minded young person inspired to serve their community and fight for a more just America.
"The Senator's most notable achievement is the introduction of the New York Dream Act, which is expected to pass bearing his name in the next legislative session. This bill will help ensure the success of young immigrants eager to grasp the American Dream for themselves and give back to our diverse community in which the senator always believed."
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Jose Peralta became the first Dominican-American elected to the New York State Senate in March 2010 after winning a special election. He was reelected that same year in a general election. Senator Peralta has since won reelection in the 2012, 2014 and 2016 general elections, winning by wide margins.
Senator Peralta represented the 13th State Senate District, covering Jackson Heights, Corona, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, and parts of Woodside and Astoria, the most diverse district in the United States. It is the United Nations of all State Senate districts.
Prior to his election to the Senate, Jose Peralta served in the New York State Assembly from 2002 to 2010, representing the 39th Assembly District.
Jose Peralta was a member of the New York Senate Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian caucuses, and of the Puerto Rican Hispanic Task Force.
As a state legislator, Senator Peralta advocated for working families and had fought to ensure that a quality public education is available to all. His sponsorship of gun-control legislation and a bill requiring microstamping on bullet-casings has drawn the ire of the National Rifle Association.
Senator Peralta was a champion of economic development and job creation, and is a fighter for immigrants’ rights. He spearheads the drive to rejuvenate Roosevelt Avenue and has worked to heighten awareness of domestic violence and protect battered spouses from further abuse.
Senator Jose Peralta lived in Queens for more than 30 years. He was the product of the borough’s public schools, including Queens College, where he graduated in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. At Queens College, Jose Peralta was the student body president, a position that allowed him to work on issues pertaining to higher education, issues that he fought for on the Higher Education Committee of the Senate.
Biografía de Jose Peralta
José Peralta se convirtió en el primer Domínico-Americano en ser elegido al Senado del Estado de Nueva York después de ganar una elección especial celebrada en marzo de 2010. Fue reelegido ese mismo año en las elecciones generales. Desde entonces, el Senador Peralta volvió a salir vencedor por amplios márgenes en los comicios generales de los años 2012, 2014 y 2016.
El Senador Peralta representa el Districto 13º del Senado del Estado de Nueva York, el más multicultural y diverso de todo Estados Unidos. Su distrito cubre los vecindarios de Jackson Heights, Corona, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst y partes de Woodside y Astoria. El distrito es conocido como Las Naciones Unidas de todos los distritos del Estado de Nueva York.
Antes de su elección al Senado estatal, José Peralta ejerció como asambleísta en el Estado de Nueva York entre los años 2002 y 2010, representando el distrito 39º en la Asamblea.
El Senador Peralta forma parte de los comités Afro-Americano, Puertoriqueño, Hispano y Asiáticos, asi como del grupo especial Puertoriqueño e Hispano del Senado de Nueva York.
El senador trabaja de forma incansable para facilitar y proveer a sus contitituyentes con buenos trabajos, calles más seguras, buenas escuelas y vivienda asequible. Su oficina presta atención especial a las perosnas de la tercera edad.
Como legislador estatal, el Senador Peralta ha sido un ardúo defensor de la clase trabajadora y ha luchado para asegurar que todos los niños y niñas tengan acceso a una educación pública de calidad. Su patrocinio de legislación de control de armas y el proyecto de ley requeriendo que los casquillos de bala lleven un micro-estampado han suscitado la ira de la ponderosa Asociación Nacional del Rifle.
El senador es un líder en el desarrollo economico y la creación de empleo, así como un gran defensor de los derechos de los inmigrantes. También encabeza la iniciativa para rejuvenecer la Avenida Roosevelt y ha trabajado para aumentar la conciencia ciudadana sobre la violencia doméstica, asi como para proteger a cónyugues maltratados contra más abusos.
José Peralta reside en Queens desde hace más de 30 años. Es el producto de las escuelas públicas del condado. Se licenció en Psicología por Queens College, con una especialización en Sociología. En Queens College, el senador fue presidente de la organización estudiantil, desde donde luchó por cuestiones relacionadas con la Educación Superior, temas en los que sigue trabajando desde el Comité de Educación Superior del Senado de Nueva York.