Haitian Councilmember Mathieu Eugene sworn in for third term

February 1, 2018 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Mathieu Eugene being sworn in office by Court Officer Michael McSweeney while Eugene’s wife Sylotte looks on. Eagle photos by Arthur De Gaeta

Share this:

On Sunday, Haitian City Councilmember Mathieu Eugene (D-Kensington-Flatbush) was sworn into office for his third term representing Brooklyn’s 40th District. The ceremony took place at Erasmus Hall High School at 911 Flatbush Ave.

Among those attending was Public Advocate Letitia James, New York City Council Speaker Cory Johnson, 35th District City Councilmember Laurie Cumbo (D-Fort Greene-Clinton Hill), 48th District City Councilmember Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay-Brighton Beach), 44th District City Councilmember Kalman Yeger (D-Borough Park-Midwood-Bensonhurst) and New York City Clerk Michael McSweeney.

Yeger, who served on Community Board 14 with Eugene, spoke at the ceremony. “It’s an incredible honor to be here in this very historic school,” Yeger said. “We’ve been colleagues together now for 28 days. I’ve been a Councilmember since Jan. 1; you’ve been a councilmember for over 3,000 days. You have so much to teach me and I look forward to learning from you. We did great things on the Community Board and we are going to do great things in the Council.”

Yeger praised Eugene, adding, “I’m on the immigration committee and I look forward to his leadership in making sure that I do things correctly. We are going to serve you well and we will serve you together. He is an incredibly hard worker and you are so fortunate to have him.”

Eugene made history by becoming the first Haitian-born official elected to the New York City Council. He was also the first to win his seat overwhelmingly in two special elections just a few months apart, causing some to dub him “The Haitian Sensation.”

On June 21, 2017, the New York City Council unanimously passed Eugene’s resolutions calling on New York and the United States to recognize the contributions Haitians have made in America by establishing a Haitian Day.

“We are lucky to live in one of the most diverse places in the world,” said Eugene. “The character of New York has been shaped by so many different cultures, and since the beginning of American history, Haiti has helped shape this great nation.”

Eugene praised God for the opportunity to gather together for what he called a historic moment. “You all know that I was born and raised on a beautiful island,” said Eugene. “And I came to this country and I stand before you today as one of the City Councilmembers of the great city of New York because of the grace of God.”

He thanked his wife, his daughter, his son and all the members of his family for their love and support. He said growing up in Haiti his family was not rich, but, “We had enough to survive. We had enough to eat, we could go to school; we were not rich financially, but we were rich with family values and love.”

Eugene also made it a point to thank all his brothers and sisters from the Haitian, Jewish, Pakistani and Spanish communities. “To all of you my brothers and sisters, regardless of what community you belong to thank you so much for your support, your trust and everything you’ve done for me and for giving me the opportunity to serve you one more time for four more years.”