The Suffolk County Legislature today reelected Kara Hahn (D-Setauket) to serve as the body’s Deputy Presiding Officer during its 2021 legislative session. The vote was part of the Legislature’s Organizational Meeting during which members select its leadership, its Clerks, its Counsel, sets meeting schedules and adopts rules that will govern the body over the course of the coming year.
Legislator Hahn was first elected to the Deputy Presiding Officer post in January 2020, becoming the Legislature’s number two person during a time of extraordinary challenges to governmental operations resulting from the pandemic. Prior to being elected as Deputy Presiding Officer, Legislator Hahn served as the Legislature’s Majority Leader from 2016 through 2019.
“I am extremely humbled to be reelected by my colleagues as Deputy Presiding Officer of the Legislature,” said Legislator Hahn. “I have been honored to serve in this role, and I look forward to working together to continue the good work we are doing here in Suffolk County government. I am proud to be a part of the leadership team of this very active legislative body. We work across the aisle to get things done to protect the vulnerable, protect our environment and improve people’s lives. Looking ahead, 2021 will once again be a tough year, but with a vaccine there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. We will focus our efforts on halting the spread of COVID-19, helping those in need, conquering our financial challenges, and getting through this pandemic with as little heartache and pain as possible. There is hope on the horizon, and I know we will come back stronger than ever.”
The hybrid in-person/remote legislative session began with Earl L. Vandermuelen High School senior Peggy Yin’s rendition of the National Anthem and an invocation offered by Father Lou Nicholas of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson. In addition to singing, Peggy is also a member of the 5th Legislative District’s Youth Engagement Task Force, a member of her school’s Science Olympiad and was recently selected as a semi-finalist in the Coca-Cola Scholars Program for her leadership and academic achievements. Father Lou is a graduate of Ward Melville High School and holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Hellenic College.