HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SELECTS CHAIR, VICE-CHAIR, AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

County Executive Andy Spano today announced that Westchester County's newly formed Human Rights Commission had chosen Ms. Chevon Fuller of Yonkers as its Chairperson at its initial meeting Wednesday night. The Commission also chose Donald Silverman of White Plains as its Vice-Chairperson and John Zuroski of Mohegan Lake as its Executive Director.

"The formation of a Human Rights Commission for Westchester County sent a clear message that this County will not tolerate bigotry or prejudice, and that all persons will be treated with justice and dignity. It is now the responsibility of the Commission under the able leadership of Chevon Fuller, Don Silverman, and John Zuroski to make this historic legislation work for all the people of the County," Spano said.

County Legislator Andrea Stewart-Cousin of Yonkers, who shepherded the legislation that created the Commission through to its enactment, said following the meeting, "The Commission members who were chosen from the hundreds of resumes we received represent more than just themselves; they represent the hopes and ideals of all Westchester residents to live in a county free from prejudice and discrimination."

Since last June, Ms. Fuller has been General Counsel for Victim Services, Inc., an 800-employee corporation serving victims of crime and abuse, their families, and the communities they live and work in. Prior to that Ms. Fuller served as Bureau Chief of the Civil Rights Division in the Office of the New York State Attorney General's Office. Ms. Fuller is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, and Cornell Law School.

"This is a very momentous occasion for Westchester County. I am delighted to be working closely with former Judge Donald Silverman, John Zuroski, and the entire Commission to make the Westchester Human Rights Commission a reality. John has the skills and the enthusiasm to help make it happen, and the Commission's members are experienced and diverse. We have a tine group of people to help fight discrimination wherever it may appear," Ms. Fuller said.

Donald Silverman is a partner in the White Plain law firm of Worby, Borowick, and Groner and i$ counsel to the law firms of Keane & Beane, and Robin A. Bikkal. Silverman is a former Justice of the New York State Supreme Court for the 9a' Judicial District and also served as a Westchester County Court justice. Silverman is a graduate of Boston University and George Washington University Law School.

John Zuroski comes to the Commission from the Bias Crimes Unit in the Westchester County District Attorney's Office where he has served as Chief of the Unit since 1997. The Bias Crimes Unit is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of all hate crimes committed in the County. Zuroski also serves as Director of "Operation Safe Smiles," an award-winning child identification program. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Binghamton and SUNY Buffalo Law School.

"Having fought hate crimes for the past three years in the District Attorney's Office, I am honored to be the first Executive Director of this historical commission. It is now time to get down to work and make certain that this commission protects all people in Westchester County from acts of unlawful discrimination," Zuroski said.