Who Is Leading the Effort for Statehood?
Submitted by admin on Thu, 07/12/2007 - 14:50.
NYC statehood is a grassroots effort. No one has taken a clear leadership position in this effort, although some prominent Alexander Hamilton wrote in 1788 that seperation was "inevitable." Mayor Fernando Woods proposed secession from both the state and the country (!) in 1861. In the modern era,
Norman Mailer started the ball rolling with his 1967 mayoral campaign. New Yorkers have stepped forward to lend their support. U.S. Representative Bella Abzug picked up the baton in her 1976 run for the Senate. Currently, city councilman Peter J. Vallone, Jr. is the most prominent advocate.