Carl Heastie Makes History As 1st Black Speaker of New York State Assembly [VIDEO]

On February 3rd 2015, Democrat Carl Heastie of the Bronx was elected to replace Sheldon Silver in the most powerful position of the New York Assembly. Watch as he addresses the press for the first time and see what Buffalo's own Assembly woman thinks about his election.

Sheldon Silver stepped down as Speaker late Monday night as the NYS Assembly prepared to cast their ballot for the first new Speaker in over 20 years!

After the vote Tuesday, Heastie repeated his promise to make ethics overhaul a priority.

“We will change the cynicism into trust,” he said. “Our state deserves a government as good as its people.”

The 47-year-old Heastie was first elected in 2000 and has led the Assembly’s Labor Committee for the past two years. He is a former budget analyst in the New York City Comptroller’s Office. He also leads the Bronx Democratic County Committee, a post he has said he will leave now that he is speaker.

The speaker is considered one of the most important positions in state government. Heastie will direct the flow of legislation, set committee assignments and direct budget negotiations with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Senate.

Assembly Woman Crystal Peoples-Stokes posted this photo on her facebook page displaying her joy of the election of Speaker Carl Heastie:

"I enthusiastically and wholeheartedly endorsed Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie. Today he is the Speaker of the New York State Assembly. Carl is my friend and an exceptional leader, I look forward to working with him and our New York State Assembly Majority to implement reform, restore the peoples' trust,and accomplish the work that we've been sent to Albany to do."

Congratulations Speaker Heastie!! Happy Making Black History Month!!