State Senator Patricia Billie Miller (D-Stamford) announced today she has been voted Chair of the legislature’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (BPRC). The previous chair of the BPRC was state Representative Geraldo Reyes (D-Waterbury). State Representative Antonio Felipe (D-Bridgeport) will serve alongside the senator as vice chair of the caucus. Sen. Miller said she is grateful to be elected and excited to get to work.
“I am honored to be voted the new chair of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and thankful to the members for trusting me with this responsibility,” said Sen. Miller. “There is much to get done and I’m eager to return to the necessary work of addressing inequities across our state that far too often fall heaviest on Black and brown people. In many ways, due to our strong financial standing, Connecticut is best positioned now to make good investments that foster meaningful change in the lives of Black and brown people in our state. From housing, healthcare, transportation, education and more, we have the capability and resources to address inequity in these crucial systems that often determine the quality and longevity of our lives. I am optimistic we will accomplish a great deal this legislative session.”
Sen. Miller is serving in her second term as state Senator of the 27th state Senate District. The senator also currently chairs the Banking Committee and serves as vice chair of the Aging Committee and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. Sen. Miller is the first Black woman, and also the first woman to represent the 27th District.
The senator also owns the distinction as just the fourth Black woman to serve in the state Senate and the first Black person to represent Stamford in the General Assembly. Prior to getting elected as state Senator, Sen. Miller was a member of the state House of Representatives for Stamford’s 145th District, dating back to 2009.
Sen. Miller has been a member of the BPRC since 2009. The BPRC was formed in 1976 to promote and assist minorities in becoming more actively involved in the political process, attaining political office, and to raise the economic potential for people of color while empowering the Black and brown community in the state.