Melinda Katz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Melinda Katz
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| District Attorney of Queens County | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | John M. Ryan (acting) |
| 19th Borough President of Queens | |
| In office January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Helen M. Marshall |
| Succeeded by | Sharon Lee |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 29th district |
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| In office January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Karen Koslowitz |
| Succeeded by | Karen Koslowitz |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 28th district |
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| In office 1994–1999 |
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| Preceded by | Alan Hevesi |
| Succeeded by | Michael Cohen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 29, 1965 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | David Katz (father) |
| Education | University of Massachusetts, Amherst (BA) St. John's University, New York (JD) |
Melinda R. Katz (born August 29, 1965) is an American lawyer and politician. She is currently the District Attorney for Queens in New York City. She started this job on January 1, 2020.
Before becoming District Attorney, Ms. Katz was the Queens Borough President. She also served as a member of the New York City Council from 2002 to 2009. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
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Early Life and Education
Melinda Katz grew up in Forest Hills, Queens. She comes from a Jewish family that was very involved in their community.
Her father, David Katz, started the Queens Symphony Orchestra in 1953. Her mother, Jeanne Dale Katz, founded the Queens Council on the Arts.
Melinda Katz went to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree there with very high honors. Later, she earned a law degree (called a J.D.) from St. John's University School of Law.
Public Service Career
After law school, Melinda Katz worked at a law firm for several years. In 1995, the New York Daily News newspaper called her one of the "one hundred up-and-coming young leaders for the 21st Century."
New York State Assembly
From 1994 to 1999, Ms. Katz was a member of the New York State Assembly. She represented the 28th District in Queens. This area included Forest Hills and Rego Park.
While in the Assembly, she helped create sixteen new laws. Some of these laws improved health care. For example, she wrote a law that allowed women to see a gynecologist directly. They did not have to see a regular doctor first. She also worked to increase punishments for different types of assault.
New York City Council
From 1999 to 2002, Ms. Katz worked for the Queens Borough President's office. Then, she won a seat on the New York City Council. She served on the Council from 2002 to 2009.
She represented the 29th district, which included Forest Hills, Rego Park, and Kew Gardens. Ms. Katz led the committee that approved plans for how land could be used in the city. She oversaw the rezoning of 6,000 city blocks. This included a big rezoning project in Greenpoint-Williamsburg in 2005.
Queens Borough President
In 2012, Melinda Katz announced she would run for Queens Borough President. She won the election in 2013 and was re-elected in 2017. As Borough President, she worked to represent the people of Queens. She helped manage the borough's budget and supported local projects.
Queens District Attorney
In December 2018, Ms. Katz decided to run for Queens District Attorney. This job involves leading the main law enforcement office in Queens.
She won the Democratic primary election in July 2019 after a very close race. She then won the general election in November 2019. Melinda Katz was sworn in as District Attorney on January 6, 2020.
Personal Life
Melinda Katz has two children. She lives with her children in Forest Hills, Queens.
