Friends of Silver

Campaign committee that raises funds and makes expenditures on behalf of New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. About Sheldon Silver Assemblyman Shelly Silver has worked hard to meet the needs of all of us who call Lower Manhattan home. And on issues from housing to education to health care, Shelly Silver's gotten results. As Assembly Speaker, he's been our voice in Albany-standing up to the misguided Republican policies of Pataki and Bush, protecting Democratic priorities and progressive values. Whether it's an issue that affects more than 3 million school children all across the state or just one family here in our neighborhood, Shelly Silver is always there for us. Born in the Lower East Side, Shelly is a graduate of Yeshiva University and Brooklyn Law School. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Shelly Silver was an attorney who represented working families and served as a law secretary to Civil Court Judge Francis N. Pecora. In l976, Shelly Silver was elected to the Assembly, representing what is now the 64th Assembly District, an area rich in culture, history and diversity, including the neighborhoods of Chinatown, Little Italy, the Lower East Side, the Financial District, Battery Park City, NoLIta, Governors Island and parts of SoHo, NoHo and the East Village. As a public servant, Shelly has received many honors and awards for his work, including the United Jewish Appeal Citation for his humanitarian efforts, the Legislator of the Year Award from the Environmental Planning Lobby, the Distinguished Public Service Award by the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, the Centennial Citation of Merit for Leadership in Education from the National Arts Club, the Friend of SUNY Award, and the Government Hero Award presented by the Downtown/Lower Manhattan Association. He also was the recipient of the first annual Chinese Journalist Association's Award, the first ever Gouverneur Hospital Community Service Award, and has been recognized for his outstanding legislative record by the Lower Manhattan Loft Tenants and the Greater New York Hospital Association. Shelly's work for quality affordable health care for all New Yorkers has been recognized by the Distinguished Lawmaker of the Year Award from the Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition, the Margaret Sanger Award from Family Planning Advocates, the Presidential Award from the New York State Nurses Association and the Elizabeth Blackwell, M.D. Medal from N.Y.U. Downtown Hospital. In addition, he has been honored by the Council of Jewish Organizations and the Chinese-American Planning Council. A member of the Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, he has been honored by Somos El Futuro, and was also awarded an honorary doctorate by his alma mater, Yeshiva University. Shelly and his wife Rosa reside on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The Silvers have four children, Edward, Janine, Michelle and Esther, and fifteen grandchildren.