Bipartisan Push For Zadroga Act Reauthorization
With less than a week to go before Congress adjourns for the holidays, area Congress Members and local lawmakers are engaged in a major push to force the House and Senate to pass a full extension of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
The legislation provides medical monitoring and treatment for those who responded to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
This gathering of lawmakers included both U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer along with Brooklyn Congress Members Jerrold Nadler and Rep. Nydia Velazquez yesterday at Ground Zero calling for a renewal of the act.
Then, today Republican Southern Brooklyn Congressman Dan Donovan and Democratic City Council Members Mark Treyger (Coney Island) and Vincent Gentile (Bay Ridge) will join first responders who are ill because of their heroism to continue the push for a permanent Zadroga Act reauthorization.
The lawmakers will highlight the personal importance of a permanent extension to the thousands of heroes who rely on the World Trade Center Health Program and Victims Compensation Fund.
The event is slated for 9:30 a.m., today at EMS Station 43, Coney Island Hospital, 2601 Ocean Parkway.
Adams, Hamilton Lead Lawmakers In Wishing Constituents Happy Hanukkah
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, tonight, in partnership with Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin, will host the annual Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht official Brooklyn menorah lighting. The event is slated at 5 p.m. at Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street.
“With the kindling of the menorah, Brooklyn’s Jewish community ushers in the joyous festival of Hanukkah, an eight-day commemoration recounting the ancient miracle of the oil. While the “Festival of Lights” is rooted in traditions established many millennia ago, its contemporary message is a fitting reminder that we must also remain vigilant against those who wish to do harm to others, and of how, with great resolve, goodness always triumphs over evil,” said Adams, last night.
As we light the first candle, and gather with our loved ones to participate in the festival’s happy traditions, may the menorah’s flickering glow serve as an eternal beacon for peace and understanding across the globe. It is a clarion call to add more light into our world, and a constant reminder to be thankful for all of life’s miracles, big and small. I wish all the Jewish residents of Brooklyn a chag sameach, and meaningful time spent together with family and friends.”
Central Brooklyn State Sen. Jesse Hamilton, whose district includes Crown Heights, also put out a a Hanukkah message to constituents.
“Although a Jewish holiday, the message of Chanukah is universal. A small group of brave men led by Yehuda Ha- Maccabi fought a large powerful army for the right to practice their religion. Freedom of religion is the pillar of a democratic society. I look forward to seeing all the menorahs on the cars in the neighborhood. It helps bring the holiday spirit to everyone,” said Hamilton.
“This past summer I had the opportunity to visit Israel. I see in the news that on the very same streets where I walked in Jerusalem innocent Israelis are being stabbed to death simply because they are Jewish. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of these attacks, their families and all my friends in Israel.”
Among the other lawmakers wishing their constituents a Happy Hanukkah either via email to KCP or on Facebook included Congress Members Hakeem Jeffries and Yvette Clarke;Public Advocate Letitia James; Assembly Members Diana Richardson, Rodneyse Bichotte and Walter Mosley; and City Council Members Mathieu Eugene and Laurie Cumbo.
Clarke Issues Court Brief Supporting Obama Immigration Order
Flatbush Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on the amicus brief she submitted to the United States Supreme Court in support of President Barack Obama’s executive orders on Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
The executive order, if the U.S. Supreme Court upholds it, will allow millions of undocumented immigrants a stay from deportation, and allow authorization to work in the United States.
“President Obama issued these executive orders creating Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and expanding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals to resolve a crisis: the precarious status of millions of people who are living in the United States and who want to work, attend school, and participate in our civil society. No serious legal debate exists as to whether President Obama had this authority as chief executive of the United States – similar executive orders were issued by President Ronald Reagan and President George H.W. Bush,” Clarke stated in the brief.
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“Congress has historically recognized that authority to exercise discretion in the enforcement of our immigration laws. When the Immigration and Nationality Act was enacted in 1952, for example, Congress authorized the President to introduce regulations and issue executive orders necessary to implement the law. When the Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002, Congress explicitly directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish ‘national immigration enforcement policies and priorities.’
“Unfortunately, a federal appeals court has delayed implementation of DAPA and expanded DACA. We urge the Supreme Court to end the continued delay in implementing DAPA and expanded DACA.”
Ortiz Gets State Funding For Sunset Park Brownfields Clean up
Sunset Park Assemblyman and Assistant Speaker Felix Ortiz announced that funding to clean up Sunset Park brownfields – areas of land spoiled by toxic waste decades ago and unusable – has been obtained as part of being designated as a new Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA).
The designation will help the community develop revitalization strategies to return dormant and blighted areas into productive land for economic growth and development Projects in Sunset Park will be given priority status for grants and additional Brownfield Cleanup Program tax credit incentives.
“I developed support for my legislation to designate $5 million from the $100 million Superfund reauthorization act in this year’s budget to be appropriated exclusively for use at BOAs. As a result of these efforts, I was able to direct new state funds to help clean up brownfields that have prevented use and growth for decades,” said Ortiz.
This announcement will allow a 694-acre area along our waterfront to become vibrant living spaces again. $308,076 in state funds will enable the redevelopment of strategic sites to create local jobs, improved public access to the Sunset Park waterfront, preserve and enhance local housing, and develop greater climate resiliency, said Ortiz.
“Our waterfront has great potential but has been too long ignored. Today’s announcement is a major boost for our local economy and quality of life,” Ortiz added.
Velázquez Bill Officially Opens Filing Period For Sandy Victims
Northern/Central Brooklyn Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez newly authored and passed legislation authorizing U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA),to revise the disaster deadline for major Presidential declarations for Superstorm Sandy officially reopened the filing period for businesses and some homeowners affected by Superstorm Sandy.
Victims of Sandy will now have until December 1, 2016 to apply for assistance.
“Too many small businesses in New York City and throughout the east coast encountered red tape and delays when applying for help after Sandy,” said Velázquez. “Now, firms will have another chance to secure financing and I encourage our local entrepreneurs to apply.”
The agency says it will open disaster centers across select counties in the affected areas and review activity levels on a continuous basis. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million. Those impacted by Sandy may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Additional details on the locations of recovery centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA at 800-659-2955(800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email todisastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Williams, Mealy Issue Statement On Deadly Shooting
Brooklyn City Council Members Darlene Mealy (East Flatbush, Brownsville) and Jumaane D. Williams(Flatlands, East Flatbush), issued the following joint statement today in response to the deadly domestic violence shooting that killed two men and injured a woman that took place in East Flatbush on Thursday night.
“Foremost, we would like to offer our deepest condolences and prayers for peace & comfort to the families, friends and loved ones of the victims involved in yesterday’s tragic shootings on East 91st Street and Clarkson Avenue. Its seems every day brings news of senseless gun violence in our nation but this incident particularly resonates in our communities,” said the two lawmakers.
“Our prayers are especially with the children who unfortunately had to witness this tragedy and we call upon their Grenadiian, Carriacou & Petite Martinique community, as well as the greater East Flatbush community and all people of goodwill, to support these families during this horrible time. And lets us also pray that such incidents will not be repeated and members of community will learn to resolve their differences without resorting to gun violence.”
Cornegy Launch’s Safe Stop Initiative
Bedford Stuyvesant City Council Member Robert Cornegy today will launch Safe Stop, a unique community partnership connecting small businesses and law enforcement to provide safe havens to individuals in need of safety assistance.
Under the the initiative, participating establishments will post a recognizable decal in their window. Owners and employees must pass a vetting process involving background checks and undergo training from the DA’s Office and NYPD to properly respond to a variety of situations, including harassment, abuse, bullying, or lost children.
The launch is slated for between 11-11:30 a.m. at Two Scoops Ice Cream and Bakery, 1745 Fulton Street at Fulton and Malcolm X Blvd.
