Adriano Espaillat, U.S. Congressman representing New York’s 13th district and a former member of both the New York State Assembly and Senate, addressed recent events and milestones through his social media posts this week.
On December 15, Espaillat expressed solidarity with victims following a violent incident in Australia: “Mientras reflexionamos durante Janucá, seguimos orando por las familias de las víctimas y por todos los afectados por el horrible ataque terrorista contra la comunidad judía en Australia que ocurrió el fin de semana. Que la luz de la menorá siga brillando en estos momentos tan” (posted on December 15, 2025).
The following day, Espaillat congratulated Joseline Peña-Melnyk on her historic achievement as the first Afro-Latina speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates: “Congratulations @JPenaMelnyk on your victory to become the next speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates. As the first Afro-Latina speaker in the state of Maryland’s history, you are an aspirational figure for all who are watching, and I look forward to the tremendous success” (posted on December 16, 2025). He also shared a similar message in Spanish: “¡Felicidades, @JpenaMelnyk, por tu victoria para convertirte en la próxima presidenta de la Cámara de Delegados de Maryland! Como la primera mujer afrolatina en ocupar este cargo en la historia del estado de Maryland, eres una figura inspiradora para todos, y espero con” (posted on December 16, 2025).
Espaillat has represented New York’s 13th District in Congress since 2017 after succeeding Charles Rangel. Prior to his tenure in Congress, he served in the New York State Assembly from 1997 to 2010 and in the New York State Senate from 2011 to 2016. Born in Santiago, Dominican Republic in 1954 and now residing in Manhattan at age 68, Espaillat earned his BA from Queens College at City University of New York in 1978.
