Who is Dean?

Like the vast majority of you, I was born into a working-class family on Long Island and the grandson of an immigrant. My father had to work long hours to provide for us, while my mother stayed at home to raise my two sisters and me. Growing up, I remember seeing my dad go off to work to keep the family together, suffer during the 2008 Recession, and face the fear too many people know; unemployment. My family's working-class roots go back to Dublin, Ireland, where my grandmother was born. From an early age, she worked as a child laborer in the Dublin factories and worked for the little wages her family needed to survive. She immigrated to the United States and worked hard to provide for her family, and achieve the American dream. 

From a young age, I began to learn and believe in the American dream, in which all individuals regardless of race, economic status, or gender, could achieve greatness with hard work and dedication. It has been the focal point of my life and has helped drive me to where I am today. I studied hard, getting through Rocky Point High School. Then, I had the good fortune to attend Saint Joseph's College in Patchogue, where I received my bachelor's degrees in history and political science, along with a certificate in religious studies. During this time, I worked at a local deli, as a tutor at the college's academic center, and in a construction company to help pay my tuition. In my local community, I was active in the Boy Scouts and achieved the Eagle Scout Award. Afterward, I became an Assistant Scout Master and Chaplain for Troop 244.

From here, and with great help from my family, I attended the University of Bremen in Germany and obtained my master's in international relations. It was an experience no one else in my family had yet achieved up until then and an experience that I did not take for granted. I worked hard, obtained two jobs to help pay, and was finally able to complete my degree while learning some German along the way. 

Given the current political climate in the United States, I firmly believe that we need to get someone into office willing to work with both political parties and put the needs of the people in New York's First District above any partisan divide. With your help, I want to make that a reality