Simotas, Aravella

Born October 9, 1978 in Southern Rhodesia ( South Africa ) into a Greek family who immigrated to the United States from Greece , settling in Astoria ( Queens , New York ) when Aravella was a 6-month-old baby. Has a brother. ^{[3] [4]}

She graduated from public primary school number 17 in New York, junior high school number 126 and public high school named after William C. Bryant . ^{[3] [4] [5]}

In 1999 she graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Arts degree ( BA ) " with the highest honor ."

In 2002 she graduated from Fordham Law School , receiving a doctorate degree in law ( JD ). ^{[3] [4] [5]} During her studies, she was a responsible editor of the faculty law journal Fordham Environmental Law . ^{[3] [5] [6]} For the first time, Simotas was noted as a moderator of a panel discussion on the installation of electrical generators in New York City in accordance with his energy law . ^[6]

She began her public service career as District Representative of the Speaker of the City Council of New York, Peter Vallone Sr. and (later) Member of the City Council of New York, Peter Vallone Jr. ^[4] While still a student at Fordham Law School, she also worked in the New York State Department of the Environment , where she showed an interest in environmental advocacy . ^{[3] [7]}

Upon graduation, she worked as a court clerk in the US Federal Court of International Trade . ^{[4] [5]} She later practiced law , working at the law firm Bickel & Brewer. ^{[4] [5]}

She was a member of the Queens County Planning Council No. 1 and the Unified Community Civic Association. ^{[3] [7]}

Participation in committees

• Task Force for Women ( chair );
• Subcommittee on the safety of children's products (chairman);
• New York Banking Affairs Committee;
• Committee on Consumer Affairs and Consumer Protection ;
• New York State Energy Law Committee;
• New York State Board of Justice;
• Small Business Committee. ^{[1] [8]}

Other

From 2017 - head of the Commission on the review of administrative regulations ( English Administrative Regulations Review Commission ) ^{[9] [10] [11]} .

Women's Issues

In 2014, Shimotas was appointed Chairperson of the New York State Women's Task Force, which works closely with committees, subcommittees and other Assembly task forces on a number of issues that have a direct impact on the lives of New York women. ^[12]

The Simotas rape law, first proposed in 2012 , received attention at the state level. According to a bill passed by the Assembly in 2013 , ^{[13] the} interpretation of the notion “rape” in New York was redefined and expanded, eliminating unnecessary differences in its current legal definition.

In March each year, Shimotas and US House of Representatives Carolyn Maloney present awards to three outstanding women at an event called " Celebrating the Women of Western Queens ." Award winners are local women leaders in such areas as civil service, community organization, education , public health , philanthropy, and small business. ^[14]

Energy and Environment

In January 2014, the Assembly approved a bill proposed by Shimotas on the protection of consumers of utility services for gas and electricity . ^[15]

During both terms of office, Simotas collaborates with local organizations, schools and entrepreneurs to promote projects based on green (environmentally friendly and safe) development and environmental sustainability throughout western Queens. She calls for a reduction in waste and pollution on city streets, ^[16] in addition to supporting and participating in annual park cleaning activities throughout the area. ^[17]

Civil Rights

Simotas is a fighter for the rights of LGBT people . Among other things, he personally takes part in the annual pride parade in Queens. In June 2011, she voted to enact the Marriage Equality Act (legal recognition of same-sex marriages ) of the State of New York , describing her support as "the most beautiful moment in my career as a lawmaker and, in truth, as a person ... ". ^{[18] [19]} Enjoys the support of individual gay activists , some of whom volunteered to take part in her election campaigns . ^{[19] [20]}

Supports the rights of voters , seeking to allocate additional polling stations and increase the number of early voting citizens. ^{[21] [22] [23]}

In October 2012, she was persuaded by a number of New York officials , including the city ’s public attorney, Bill De Blasio, and district level leader Costa Constantinides , as well as some liberal groups, to protest publicly against the Golden Dawn political party opposing illegal immigration . ( Greece ) who organized a meeting in Queens. ^{[24] [25] [26]} Simotas made a statement that the anti-immigrant message is not welcome in her community, expressing her indignation about this and referring to the fact that she herself is an immigrant . ^{[24] [25] [26]}

Married to John Katsanos, married to a daughter (born 2012). The family lives in Astoria . ^[27]

Fluent in Greek .

• Official biography at the New York State Assembly website
• Campaign website
• Interview
• Image of Simotas at the Queens Pride Parade