Mosley Celebrates Voting Rights Act 50th Anniversary
Fort Greene Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley, yesterday, commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, which greatly increased American-born blacks rights to vote across the country and led to Brooklyn getting their first African-American (Shirley Chisholm) elected to Congress.
“On this day 50 years ago President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into federal law an act that eliminated various unjust impediments to African-Americans in their efforts to exercise their franchise. Whether it was deterring people to register to vote by issuing literacy tests and/or poll taxes, this act would ultimately authorize the enrollment of voters by federal registrars in states where fewer than fifty percent of the eligible voters were registered or voted. All such states were in the South,” said Mosley.
“In recent times we have seen an unprecedented push back across this nation against this act, in the form of restrictive voter I.D.s laws and other various means. The largest blow came in the Supreme Court decision of 2013; a ruling which would remove the pre-clearance provision under section 5 of the landmark civil rights act, where jurisdictions with a history of discrimination must seek pre-approval of changes in voting rules that could affect minorities. These issues come at such a crucial time as the vanguard leaders of the civil rights movement pass from our living memory. Let us honor their legacy by not taking one step back and defending what has been hard won so that our children can live in a truly equitable and just society.”
Williams’ Committee To Hold Hearing on Four Bill Proposals
Flatlands City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, chair of the council’s Committee on Housing and Buildings, will hold a hearing to consider four pieces of legislation. The Committee expects to receive testimony from representatives of the Department of Buildings, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, members of the real estate industry and other interested members of the public. The four bills being heard include:
- Int. No. 49, in relation to the provision of notice to Council Members and Community Boards of applications filed with the Department of Buildings;
- Int. No. 280, in relation to requiring the Department of Buildings to maintain a registry of restrictive covenants;
- Int. No. 783, in relation to the interest rate applied to unpaid charges for emergency repairs performed by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development; and
- Int. No. 831, in relation to permit filing fees for new buildings and alterations.
Bipartisan Coalition to Rally in Support of Zadroga Act
New York’s U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand, and Brooklyn Congress Members Jerrold Nadler (D) and Dan Donovan (R) today will join former Daily Show host Jon Stewart. more than 100 first responders and a larger group of bipartisan lawmakers to push Congress to pass a full and permanent extension of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
Stewart, first responders and survivors – many sick from the toxins ingested on September 11th and its aftermath – will meet with members of the U.S. Senate and House to implore Congress reauthorize on the World Trade Center Health Program and Victim Compensation Fund established by the Zadroga Act.
are the lead sponsors of the permanent reauthorization in the Senate that has the support of 37 total senators, including six Republicans. Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Peter King (R-NY) are the lead cosponsors in the House and have secured 151 total sponsors, including 33 Republicans.
More than 33,000 responders and survivors have at least one illness or injury. These participants receive treatment and medical care through the WTC Health Program for many chronic diseases and respiratory illnesses, including asthma, sinusitis, obstructive pulmonary disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. As a result of these chronic illnesses, many first responders are disabled and can no longer work.
More than 72,000 responders and survivors receive medical monitoring. Incidence of illness and 9/11-related cancer has grown since 9/11. Since 2012, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has added several types of cancers to the list of 9/11-related illnesses covered by the WTC Health Program. Studies show that 9/11 workers have gotten certain cancers – including prostate, thyroid, and multiple myeloma – at significantly higher rates than the general population.
According to the Centers for Disease Control 4,166 first responders have a 9/11-related cancer.
Over 85 NYPD and over 131 FDNY personnel have reportedly died from their 9/11 illnesses since 9/11. More police officers have died from 9/11 related illnesses than perished on 9/11.
The Victims Compensation Fund has provided compensation to 6,285 injured 9/11 individuals eligible for compensation. This economic aid is essential to responders, survivors and their families, who suffered economic loss because of physical injuries as a result of involvement in Ground Zero, including breathing in toxins. Many studies have documented the health effects of the WTC attacks, which include lower and upper respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal conditions, and certain cancers. These illnesses have caused major financial strains on many of those exposed who are subsequently no longer able to work.
Similar federal programs are permanent. Lawmakers are pushing to make the two Zadroga programs, the WTC Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, permanent similar to other programs Congress has created. Both the Federal Black Lung Program for coal miners and the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA),which assists nuclear workers who built atomic weapons in the 50’s and 60’s or now work in our nuclear industry are permanent and fully funded.
Kings County Politics Debate Party
Kings County Politics will be hosting a regular debate watching party all throughout the 2016 Presidential Election to bring together politically minded Brooklynites.
Come join the inaugural party tomorrow night, Sept. 16th at McMahon’s Pub, 39 5th Avenue in Park Slope a stone throw away from the Barclays Center.
No matter what side of the aisle you are on, come have a pint, do some networking so you can expense it, and watch 17 Presidential hopefuls slug it out to guaranteed entertainment!
We’ll be around for the minor league debate at 6, and will stay for the main event at 8pm- come by after work or later on.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1619577388295499/
Brooklyn Young Democrats Hold Brooklyn Trivia Night
The Brooklyn Young Democrats are holding a Brooklyn Trivia Game Night tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Wheelers, 1705 Sheepshead Bay Road in Sheepshead Bay. All are welcome.
For more details here is the Facebook link.
