Robert Cornegy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Cornegy
Cornegy in 2020
Member of the New York City Council from the 36th District
In office January 1, 2014 – January 1, 2022
Preceded by	Albert Vann
Succeeded by	Chi Ossé
Chairman of the New York City Council Democratic Conference
In office January 11, 2018 – December 31, 2021
Speaker	Corey Johnson
Preceded by	Position established
Personal details
Born	(1965-09-24) September 24, 1965 (age 59) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Michelle Cornegy
Children	6
Residences	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Alma mater	St. John's University University of Alabama Mercy College

Robert E. Cornegy Jr. (born September 24, 1965) is an American politician from Brooklyn, New York. He served as a member of the New York City Council from 2014 to 2022. He represented the 36th district, which includes the neighborhoods of Bedford-Stuyvesant and northern Crown Heights.

As a member of the Democratic Party, he also ran for Brooklyn Borough President in 2021.

Early Life and Basketball Career

Robert Cornegy was born and raised in New York City. His father, Dr. Robert E. Cornegy Sr., was a pastor at a church in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

In high school, Cornegy was a talented basketball player. He played as a center and was recruited by major colleges. He chose to play for St. John's University and was part of their famous 1984-85 team that made it to the Final Four in the national championship.

After college, Cornegy played professional basketball in other countries, including Israel and Turkey.

Return to New York and Community Work

After his basketball career, Cornegy returned to his home neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant. He earned a master's degree from Mercy College. He wanted to help people in his community, so he became a counselor and opened a residence to support men facing health challenges.

New York City Council

In 2013, Cornegy was elected to the New York City Council. The City Council is a group of people who make laws for New York City. He was re-elected in 2017.

During his time on the council, he held several important roles. He was the Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings. This committee works on issues related to where people live and the safety of buildings. He also led a group focused on helping businesses owned by women and minorities.

In 2018, he became the Democratic Conference Chair of the New York City Council.

New Laws and Projects

Cornegy helped create and pass several important laws for New York City. Here are some of them:

• Rooms for Nursing Mothers: He sponsored a bill to make sure public buildings have special, private rooms for mothers who are nursing or breastfeeding their babies.
• Help for People in Jail: He supported the "Kalief Browder Bill." This law provides education, therapy, and other services to people held in city jails like Rikers Island.
• Protecting Small Businesses: He passed a law to protect small business owners from landlords who might try to harass them or neglect the property.
• Freezing Rent for Seniors: He worked on programs that help senior citizens and people with disabilities afford their rent by "freezing" it, so it doesn't increase.
• "Do the Right Thing Way": Cornegy sponsored a bill to name a street in Brooklyn after the famous 1989 movie Do the Right Thing by director Spike Lee. The movie was filmed on that very street. This was the first time a street in New York City was named after a work of art instead of a person.

Other Activities

Outside of the City Council, Cornegy has been involved in many community efforts.

In 2012, he was a delegate for President Obama at the Democratic National Convention. He also joined a group working to find ways to reduce gun violence in New York City.

He has worked on programs to help homeowners, support small businesses, and improve the lives of older adults in his community. In 2017, he was chosen as a fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for his work as a social justice leader.

Election History

Personal Life

Cornegy and his wife, Michelle, have a blended family with six children. They live in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn.

At 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 meters) tall, Cornegy was the tallest member of the New York City Council. For several months in 2019, he held the Guinness World Records title for the World's Tallest Politician. He was later surpassed by Jon Godfread, a politician from North Dakota, who is just a little bit taller.