A Representative from New York; born in East Harlem, New York County, N.Y., September 25, 1953; graduated from Julia Richman High School, New York, N.Y., 1971; B.A., Adelphi University, Garden City, N.Y., 1975; J.D., Howard University, Washington, D.C., 1978; lawyer; assistant district attorney, Queens County, N.Y., 1978-1983; assistant special narcotics prosecutor, New York, N.Y.; deputy counsel, New York state investigation commission; supervising judge, New York state workers compensation board; member of the New York state assembly, 1992-1998; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Fifth Congress, by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Representative Floyd H. Flake, and reelected to the One Hundred Sixth and to the seven succeeding Congresses (February 3, 1998-present).