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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Gloria Quinones
646 283 9383
212 348 8004

MELISSA MARK VIVERITO ELECTED CITY COUNCILWOMAN FOR DISTRICT 8

Recount Affirms Victory; Viverito Ready and Eager to Get to Work

New York, September 16, 2005 – Melissa Mark Viverito claimed victory today in the Democratic Primary in the 8th District. The New York City Board of Elections finished a recount of all ballots today, and Viverito was victorious over the former TV personality Felipe Luciano.

“Now is the time to unify this community so that we can make positive changes in District 8. The voters and the NYC Board of Elections have counted and recounted the votes, and I am happy to have my victory affirmed through this democratic process,” stated Viverito.

“I am ready to start planning for my term as Councilwoman, which begins in January, and address the issues of affordable housing, responsible economic development, and to fight for the residents of this District,” added Viverito. “I commend all my opponents, especially Felipe Luciano for running a very hard fought campaign, and bringing the issues that affect this community to the forefront, I look forward to working with everyone over the next four years.”

Viverito, born and raised in Puerto Rico, moved to New York and attended Columbia University. She has been a community activist in District 8 for over 8 years, a strategic organizer for 1199 SEIU and a constant fighter for working families.

Viverito’s campaign was fueled by a combination of grassroots organizing, community support, labor support, and support from a broad base of elected officials, including the last Democratic Mayor of the City of New York and the last Democratic Governor of the City of New York.

“I knew if I took my message to the people, the message that they have the right to affordable housing, the right to a living wage, and the right to have a say in the way their community is developed, that they would embrace it and they did,” concluded Viverito.