Israel Honors Adams To Kick Off Black History Month
The State of Israel, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) and the Jewish National Fund (JNF) last night honored Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams with their annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Award.
Since 1991, the Consulate General of Israel in New York, together with JCRC-NY and JNF, have annually paid tribute to the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream of peaceful co-existence between people of diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
The State of Israel has embraced the legacy of Dr. King, for it mirrors the values of hope and peace to which all can relate. Dr. King was a great friend to Israel and the Jewish people and was active in the battle against anti-Semitism.
Past recipients of the award includes Representatives Charles Rangel and Hakeem Jeffries, former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, jazz artist Lionel Hampton, Nobel Prize winning author Toni Morrison, opera singer Jessye Norman; entrepreneur and philanthropist Russell Simmons, and musician and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte.
“I am honored to join the illustrious group of leaders and activists that have received the prestigious Martin Luther King, Jr. Award from the State of Israel,” said Adams. “As the first African-American to have the honor to serve as Brooklyn Borough President, I stand on the shoulders of giants like Dr. King and the trailblazers of the civil rights movement. My public service is committed to furthering his legacy, advancing the welfare of every member of our human race. I thank Ambassador Aharoni, along with my friends at the JCRB-NY and JNF, for this recognition that underscores my bond with Israel and with the Jewish people of Brooklyn and beyond.”
The award was given last night at the Barclays Center prior to the Nets 102-100 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Golden Anti-Gang Bill Passes Senate
Bay Ridge Sen. Marty Golden saw his two-pronged bill to curb street gang violence pass the senate yesterday.
Dubbed the Criminal Street Gang Act, the measure would create tough new penalties for gang-related crimes, as well as develop gang prevention programs for schools, at-risk youth, and prison inmates.
“As a former New York City Police Officer, I know that gangs on our streets destroy communities, schools, and families,” said Golden. “This is definitely the time to create stricter penalties and education
programs to reduce gang violence. We must not only work to prevent the formation of gangs, but we should penalize, track and educate their members, so that the dangers they cause on our streets can end.”
According to the Department of Justice, the number of gang-related homicides nationally increased 20 percent from 1,824 in 2011 to 2,363 in 2012. Gang-related violence accounted for 16 percent of all homicides in the United States in 2012.
The bill now moves to the assembly.
Cross Harbor Freight Program Hearing Tonight
The Federal Highway Administration and the Port Authority will hold a hearing on the Cross Harbor Freight Program and proposed improvements to the regional freight network at 4 p.m. today at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon.
The hearing could impact several Brooklyn neighborhoods including Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Borough Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Canarsie if it utilizes an old freight railway that runs through these neighborhoods.
Specifically the hearing will seek input in a recently released Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to evaluate alternatives to improve the movement of goods in the region by enhancing the transportation of freight across New York Harbor.
The DEIS is available to download at www.crossharborstudy.com.
