Peter Vallone Sr.

Peter Vallone
Speaker of the New York City Council
In office January 1, 1990 – December 31,
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Gifford Miller
Majority Leader of the New York City Council
In office January 1, 1986 – December 31, 2001
Preceded by	Thomas Cuite
Succeeded by	Joel Rivera
Member of the New York City Council from the 22nd district
In office January 1, 1992 – December 31, 2001
Preceded by	Arthur Katzman
Succeeded by	Peter Vallone Jr.
Member of the New York City Council from the 20th district
In office January 1, 1974 – December 31, 1991
Preceded by	Thomas Cuite
Succeeded by	Julia Harrison
Personal details
Born	December 13, 1934 New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Fordham University

Peter Fortunate Vallone Sr. (born December 13, 1934 in New York City) is an American politician.

Background

His father, Judge Charles J. Vallone (1901–1967) of the Queens County Civil Court, encouraged young Peter to broaden his horizons beyond the limited social interactions with other ethnic and religious groups that were discouraged in the pre-Vatican II era. His mother, Leah Palmigiano Vallone, was a teacher and a Democratic State Committeewoman. With his wife, Tena, he has three children (Peter Jr., Paul, and Perry) and eight grandchildren.

Education

He attended Fordham University, where he received his BSS (1956) and his LLB (1959).

Political career

A former Democratic New York City Councilman who represented Astoria, Queens from 1974 to 2001, he was the second most powerful official in New York City's government after the mayor, when he became the city's first Speaker of the City Council in 1986.^[1] He held that position until Gifford Miller took over in 2002.

Vallone drafted changes to the City Charter in 1989 that he claimed allowed the Council more say on the budget.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor in 1998, and for Mayor in 2001.

Later career

He currently teaches political science at Baruch College and his autobiography, Learning to Govern: My Life in New York Politics, From Hell Gate to City Hall, described his years in government. He practices law in Astoria with his son, Peter Vallone Jr., who succeeded him in the City Council in 2002.

In 2005, Vallone endorsed Republican Michael Bloomberg for Mayor of New York City. In 2009, he endorsed a former rival in the mayoral race, Mark Green, who attempted to win back the job of Public Advocate.^[2]

Electoral history

• 1998 election for Governor
  • George Pataki (R) (inc.), 54%
  • Peter Vallone (D), 33%
  • Tom Golisano (I), 8%

References