The following is a statement from New York City Councilman Kalman Yeger (D-Brooklyn) after New York State Senator Dov Hikind announced he will not seek re-election after 36 years in office:

“I have known Dov Hikind for nearly my entire life. His public service is legendary. He has always been at the forefront in defending the Jewish people, never afraid to stand alone when necessary, to say what must be said.

“If I had to point to a single period in my youth that propelled me to wanting to serve the public, it was the government failure during the 1991 Crown Heights Pogrom and how Dov addressed that failure. Without question, Dov is singlehandedly responsible for shining a bright light on government acquiescence to a 3-day long attack on the Jewish people. When far too many were embarrassingly silent, Dov stood tall in defense of our community.

“Two years ago this month, I stood with Dov and watched as he confronted a presidential candidate for vile comments made about Israel. This was emblematic of Dov – his passionate defense of our people, never being afraid to speak up.

“In his time as an assemblyman and member of the Democratic State Committee, he elevated our community’s place at the table. As it has long been said, ‘If you’re not at the table, you’re probably on the menu.’ Dov always fought to keep us at the table and off the menu.

“While we may not have always agreed, I like to believe that we agreed far more than we didn’t. I honor his service to our community and the State of New York, and I wish him joy and success in everything he does.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)