NEW YORK — Rep. Jamaal Bowman on Monday was unanimously elected by colleagues to be Vice Chair of the House Committee on Education and Labor for the 117th Congress. Bowman was nominated for the position by his colleague from New York, Rep. Adriano Espaillat.

“This is a tremendous honor, and I’m proud and thankful to be able to join Chairman Scott in leading the essential work of the committee,” Bowman said. “I came to Congress to represent the children, the educators, and the communities who have been left behind by our unequal and unjust education and economic systems. In the richest country in the world, every child and every worker should be able to live in dignity and reach their full potential. As vice chair, I’m proud to stand with our students and families every day and to ensure their voices are heard.”

As vice chair, Bowman will have an even greater role in shaping policy to boldly address the needs of students, educators, and workers across the country. In addition to his election as vice chair, Bowman was named to three subcommittees on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education; Higher Education and Workforce Investment; and Civil Rights and Human Services.

Prior to his election to Congress, Bowman served as an educator in public schools for 20 years, including as founder and principal of Cornerstone Academy for Social Action Middle School in the Bronx. Bowman also holds a master’s degree in guidance counseling from Mercy College and a doctorate in education from Manhattanville College.

The House Committee on Education and Labor and its five subcommittees oversee education and workforce programs affecting all Americans, from early learning through secondary education, from job training through retirement.