Haile Rivera, a Dominican residing in the West Bronx best known for winning dinner with then presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama in 2008 has written to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver urging him to appoint another Latino as Speaker Pro Tempore when Assemblyman Peter Rivera leaves to become state Labor Commissioner.
Mr. Haile Rivera needs to understand that no racial/ethnic quota need apply here. His request is made in a vacuum.
Appointment of the Speaker Pro Temp is based on seniority. When I took office in 2003, Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette was Speaker Pro Temp, Aurelia Greene and Peter Rivera followed.
The leadership is visibly diverse. Junior Members also serve as acting Speaker Pro Temp regularly. I had enjoyed the opportunity several times during my tenure.
Dominican American legislators will have to wait their turn as have every ethnic group before them.
