1. PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Norreida Reyes
phone: 518.477.0281
email: norreida.reyes@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
WHAT: Judge Heath-Roland to Formally Announce Re-Election Bid
WHEN: 5:30 pm – 7:30pm Thursday, March 3, 2011
WHERE: Taste Restaurant, Penthouse Level (P-1), 30 S. Pearl St. Albany, NY 12207
Albany City Court Judge Helena Heath-Roland to Announce Re-Election Campaign
(Albany) – Judge Helena Heath-Roland will kick-off her campaign for re-election as Albany City Court Judge at a
fundraiser held in her honor on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Taste on South Pearl Street.
Judge Heath-Roland was elected to serve as Albany City Court Judge in 2005, becoming the first female of African
descent to hold the position. She began her 23-year public service legal career as a Court Attorney for the New York
Court of Appeals, our State’s highest court, followed by service as an Assistant Attorney General in the Litigation
Bureau of the NYS Department of Law, and later as Senior Counsel to the NYS Assembly Speaker.
“It has been my honor to faithfully serve our community for the last six years as City Court Judge,” said Judge
Heath-Roland. “As I seek re-election, my pledge is that I will continue to carry out the duties of this important
position with integrity, fairness, and compassion.”
Albany City Court is a trial level court that serves thousands of Albany City and County residents each year
involving traffic, criminal, and civil cases, including commercial claims and landlord-tenant matters.
Judge Heath-Roland, who has had a lifelong commitment to community service, was recently selected as a 2011
Black History Month Honoree by the Albany Common Council's 7th Ward for her outstanding contributions to the
City of Albany. Last year, Judge Heath-Roland received the prestigious Hon. Judith S. Kaye Distinguished
Attorney Member award, which is the Capital District Women’s Bar Association’s highest honor. This award honors
exemplary achievements by attorneys in advancing the status of women in the law and society.
“Serving as Albany City Court Judge has brought together my deep-rooted commitment to justice and long standing
dedication to public and community service,” said Judge Heath-Roland.
In 1994, she organized a local effort that resulted in establishing a Children’s Center at Albany County Family
Court. Since the Children Center’s creation, Judge Heath-Roland has served as Chair of the Center’s Advisory
Committee to ensure that children are cared for in a safe and nurturing environment while their families take care of
court business. She is a director of the Boys and Girls Club of Albany and also mentors young students participating
in the Albany NAACP's Rosa Parks Literacy Education Academy reading and writing program.
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