Nydia M. Velázquez

Nydia M. Velázquez was born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, on March 28, 1953. She earned a B.A. from the University of Puerto Rico in 1974 and an M.A. from New York University in 1976. She was on the faculty of the University of Puerto Rico, Humacao, from 1976 to 1981 and an adjunct professor at Hunter College from 1981 to 1983.

Velázquez was on the staff of Representative Edolphus Towns in 1983 and a member of the New York City council in 1984. She was national director of the Migration Division Office of Puerto Rico's department of labor and human resources from 1986 to 1989, then directed the department of Puerto Rican community affairs from 1989 to 1992. Elected as a Democrat, she has served in the House since January 3, 1993. She chaired the Committee on Small Business in four Congresses and sits on that committee and Financial Services.