State Renames Portion Of Route 102 After Melvin Harris, Jr.

On Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a law that renamed a portion of Route 102 in Uniondale after Melvin Harris, Jr. Harris died suddenly in 2015 at the age of 50.

"Melvin Harris Jr. spent decades fighting to advance New York's values of diversity, equality and inclusion," Cuomo said. "We owe Melvin an enormous debt of gratitude, and this portion of State Route 102 will honor his memory and recognize his extraordinary work on behalf of the people of Uniondale and the entire Empire State."

As a commissioner for the Nassau County Commission on Human Rights and president of the Hempstead Chapter of the NAACP, Harris advocated passionately for change and fought for inclusion, opportunity and upward mobility for the underserved and the disenfranchised. This designation recognizes and honors Melvin Harris, Jr.'s strong advocacy in support of the Uniondale community.

"The designation of 'Melvin Harris, Jr. Way' honors the life of a man who devoted himself to serving others," said Sen. Kevin Thomas. "In addition to being a loving husband and father, Melvin was a public servant, an outstanding community leader, and a mentor who worked tirelessly to lift others up. His legacy of passionate advocacy and public service will forever endure in Uniondale and Nassau County."