Hon. Vincent J. Gentile

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Vincent Gentile came to Fort Hamilton High School knowing what he wanted to do, not only in high school but in life. At the age of 9, Vincent listened to the political conventions in the exciting summer of 1968. He decided, at that tender age, that he would like to become an elected public official. He began preparing for this career in McKinley Junior High School. He ran for and was elected President of the school. He joined the leadership program in Fort Hamilton High School upon entering the school. He was elected Junior Representative to the Student Government and then, for his final year, President of the School.

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Vincent attended Cornell University where he distinguished himself as a political science major. He then attended Fordham Law School. Upon graduation from law school, Vincent became an assistant district attorney in Queens County. He worked in such areas as special victims, as a supervisor of Grand Jury presentations, and in narcotics investigations. In this last position Vincent cooperated in the arrest of major drug merchants and the confiscation of millions of dollars in illegal drug money.

 

While attending law school Vincent became the founding President of the Fort Hamilton High School Alumni Association. He remains active in the Alumni Association to this day. Vincent also became active in the Bay Ridge Community Council and became its President in 1989.

 

In 1994 Vincent Gentile ran as a Democrat for the New York State Senate from the 23rd Senatorial District. He was not elected, however, he did not despair. He ran in again in 1996 and this time he was elected. Vincent has been an active State senator. His district includes parts of both Brooklyn and Staten Island. He is constantly on the go, visiting sites in his district, performing his duties in Albany or meeting with party officials. He has not forgotten his old friends, however. He held his installation as Senator in Fort Hamilton High School and returns each month to Bay Ridge Community Council meetings and has obtained a grant for the Council. He has worked hard in Albany to help pass a bill that guarantees pre-kindergarten education for all students in New York State whose parents want it. He is a member of the Committee on Aging and he has shown special concern for the needs of Senior Citizens. It is with great pride that the Alumni Association inducts Senator Vincent J. Gentile into the Hall of Fame.

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