Patriotism filled the hall at the Baron De Kalb Knights of Columbus in Sheepshead Bay as the Kings County Conservative Party gathered late last month for its annual American Heritage Reception, honoring longtime party stalwart and New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard “Jerry” Kassar.
Hosted July 17 by Kings County Chairwoman Frances Vella-Marrone and emceed by Vice Chairman David H. Ryan, the evening was as much a celebration of values as of individuals. The highlight was the presentation of the American Heritage Award to Kassar, recognizing decades of leadership and commitment to Conservative principles in Brooklyn and beyond.
In her tribute, Vella-Marrone praised Kassar’s service, recalling his more than two decades as Brooklyn Conservative Party chair before ascending to the state role. “He kept our party not only alive, but thriving — even when others were ready to write us off,” she said. “Jerry is not only a fighter; he’s our fighter.”
Kassar graciously accepted the honor and took the stage to reflect on his political journey — from his beginnings in Bay Ridge organizing community residences for the developmentally disabled to leading a movement that has resisted pressure to fold into mainstream politics.
“The Brooklyn Conservative Party has more elected officials at the state level than any other county in New York City, second only to Suffolk County,” he said. “We fight, and we win.”
Elected officials and candidates from across Brooklyn and Staten Island attended to pay respects and speak to a shared cause. Assembly Member Jaime Williams, a Democrat, emphasized unity and local commitment at the event.
“We’re not just here to talk about what’s wrong,” she said. “We’re here to fight for what’s right, for our families and for our neighborhoods.”
Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny reflected on the party’s role in preserving common sense values: “The Conservative Party is the voice of reason in a time of chaos. We’re here because we believe New York can and must be better.”
Other officials in attendance included Assembly Members Lester Chang and Simcha Eichenstein, Council Members Susan Zhuang and Inna Vernikov, and former state Sen. Marty Golden, a Brooklyn Conservative stalwart whose decades of public service and party loyalty continue to inspire the grassroots.
Representing Sen. Steven Chan’s office were two high school interns, who offered greetings and congratulations on his behalf, praising Kassar’s leadership as a guiding force in every election cycle.
Richard Tang, a rising young singer, bookended the evening with stirring renditions of the national anthem and “God Bless America,” bringing the crowd to its feet twice. The presence of young performers and political interns underscored a generational message of continuity.
Also attending was Nikoloz Chkheidze, chairman of the Georgian American Republican Alliance, along with other community leaders and representatives from allied organizations.
With New York’s 250th anniversary on the horizon and elections approaching, speakers rallied the audience to stay united and vote the Conservative line in November. “This party,” Kassar noted, “has stood as a wall against the worst ideas, not just by pushing our own, but by preventing what should never happen.”
