It was a proud day for Albanian Americans as this was the day for Mark Gjonaj to be sworn in as the first Albanian American elected member of the New York State Assembly from the 80th A.D. in the Bronx. Speaker after speaker said that this was a historic day for the Albanian people, just like it was for the Italians, Jews, Puerto Ricans, Afro Americans and others when the first one was elected to the same position. Mark Gjonaj entered with his family who sat in the first row as Assemblyman Gjonaj took his seat on the stage between Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl E. Heastie, and Judge Douglas E. McKeon who was to administer the oath of office to assemblyman Gjonaj.
Senator Jeff Klein was the first of many to speak that afternoon, and said that 18 years ago when he won the 80th Assembly seat that Judge McKeon administered the oath of office to him. Klein added that Mark Gjonaj doesn't have to go up to Albany, be away from his family, work endless days, But that he wants to for the people of the 80th A.D. Congressman Eliot Engel was next, and he said that he wanted everyone to know that it was an honor to be here for his good friend Mark Gjonaj. Engel added that Mark Gjonaj won a race very few people gave him a chance to win, and that Mark is smart, hardworking, and knows how to get things done. Engel also praised Assemblyman Gjonaj for his placement of a Chanukah menorah on Pelham Parkway at White Plains Road, a first.
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer said that he did not ride his bike here, as was the case in yesterday's swearing in of 87th A. D. Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda. Schumer added that Mark Gjonaj got here the old fashioned way "He earned it". Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie (who supported Gjonaj's opponent until the last vote was counted) could only say that he was jealous of Assemblyman Gjonaj, because there was no ambassador at his inauguration like Mark has at his. BP Diaz said that Assemblyman Gjonaj has exhibited the work ethic to help improve his district, and the Bronx in a way to bring people together. There were more elected officials that spoke on Assemblyman Gjonaj's behalf, but an interesting note was that City Council Speaker Christene Quinn who was scheduled as a speaker on the program left early as you will see in one of the photos below. In total there were over 1,000 people in attendance, and even though the event lasted over three hours a good 75 percent remained until the end of the program.
Right - The Gjonaj family stands during the pledge of both the American and Albanian national anthems.
Left - Congressman Engel congratulates Assemblyman Gjonaj.
Right - Are some of the elected officials on stage at the time.
Left - BP Diaz speaks highly of Assemblyman Gjonaj.
Right New York City Comptroller John Liu congratulated Assemblyman Gjonaj as one immigrant to another, as he said while he was not born in Albania that he (Liu) was made in Taiwan. Liu added that he knows first hand the struggles of an immigrant family in America.
Left - There was a dance performance by the Columbus Sharks Triple Threat, Cheer Step and Dance Team.
Right - Mark's mother Rosa Gjonaj speaking in Albanian to the audience as Marks brother Paul with his daughter next to him. Barley visible on the other side of his mother is Marks sister Elsa Lulaj.
Left - Assemblyman Gjonaj being sworn in by Judge McKeon with Marks wife and two sons on stage with him.
Right - After the swearing in Assemblyman Gjonaj finally gets to speak, and he thanked just about everybody who helped him get elected. He asked the 200 campaign volunteers to stand up for a round of applause.
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