Hamilton, Velazquez Decry Middle East Developments
New York State Senator Jesse Hamilton yesterday issued the following statement yesterday in response to the second day of missile tests by Iran, one long range missile tested today was reportedly marked, “Israel must be wiped off the Earth.”
Additionally, on Tuesday, American student Taylor Force was killed. He was one of several victims of an attack that left at least ten others injured.
“Iran’s recent ballistic missile tests clearly violate international law and defy the spirit of the Iran Nuclear Agreement. Iran’s conduct vindicates my opposition to the agreement, clearly bearing out warnings that the deal reached was insufficient. This affront is especially egregious as Vice President Biden visits Israel. Whether meant to embarrass and disrespect our country or menace the region, these ballistic missile tests are unacceptable. These missiles—one carrying the explicit message “Israel should be wiped off the Earth”—should be viewed as a serious threat to our forces and our allies in the region. I call on the United States and international community to hold Iran responsible for its actions,” said Hamilton.
“Over the last few days, at least a dozen people have been injured by attacks in Israel, including Vanderbilt University student Taylor Force who was fatally wounded. My heart goes out to all the victims, their friends and families coping with the aftermath of this unconscionable violence. We must stand with our allies in the face of terror, denounce attempts to intimidate through missile tests, and condemn those who seek to perpetuate terror. The values we seek to uphold deserve no less,” he added.
Northern and Central Brooklyn Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez also weighed in on the attacks in Israel.
“Acts of violence like these are an affront to all of us and we must be unified in condemning them. I previously joined my House colleagues in calling on the Palestinian Authority to repudiate attacks like these and take concrete steps to prevent future violence. Today, I repeat that call,” said Velazquez. “I am praying for all the victims, including the American citizen who was killed, for their families and that Israel and the region may find peace and healing.”
Williams’ Two Bills Pass City Council
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) saw two measures he sponsored – one a Domestic Violence Housing Discrimination Ban, and the other a Green Construction bill – pass the City Council Yesterday.
The first bill, Intro 832-A, prohibits discrimination in housing accommodations on the basis of an individual’s status as a victim of domestic violence. Victims of intimate partner violence frequently struggle with housing discrimination, including denial of new leases, refusal to renew leases, refusal of housing vouchers, evictions and being unable to temporarily leave their home to escape domestic violence.
“Domestic violence continues to threaten the safety and lives of too many New Yorkers,” said Williams. “Too often, victims of domestic violence are evicted or prevented from renting apartments simply because they have been abused – this is not only wrong, it’s horrifying. Today, I am proud to stand with my colleagues as we pass intro 832 to make housing discrimination against victims of intimate partner violence illegal.”
The second bill, Intro 721-A, updates and strengthens the green building standards for certain city capital projects. The bill will increase the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, green building rating which certain capital projects are required to achieve.
Golden Announces Anti-Litter Essay Contest Winners
Bay Ridge/Dyker Heights State Senator Martin J. Golden and members of his anti-litter essay contest committee Kim Parker, Florence Diaz and Doris Cruz, yesterday announced the three winners and twenty one finalists who competed in the elementary school anti-litter contest.
The First Annual “Don’t Drop It” anti-litter essay contest received more than five hundred essays from schools within Senator Golden’s district and based on this overwhelming success, the contest will be expanded next year. The ceremony was hosted at Xaverian High School and was attended by students and their families.
The winners of the contest were Fiona Costello of St. Patrick Catholic Academy, Agnes Keough of Visitation Academy and Diane Stoupakis of P.S. 186
The finalists represented students from grades 3, 4 and 5, from a variety of local public, private and parochial schools including P.S. 102, P.S. 104, P.S. 127, P.S. 176, P.S. 185, P.S. 186, P.S. 204, P.S. 264, Adelphi Academy, Holy Angels Catholic Academy, St. Patrick Catholic Academy, and Visitation Academy.
“I want to congratulate and thank everyone who participated in the “Don’t Drop It” anti-litter essay contest. . Improving and maintaining the quality of life in our community has long been the cornerstone of my career in public service. That is why I sponsored this essay contest this year, in order to teach our students the need to keep our community and streets clean. Through this essay contest we are increasing awareness about the harmful effects of littering. Keeping our streets clean takes a team effort and these students will now encourage others to join the fight against littering,” said Golden.
The finalists were: P.S. 102 – Devon Wong and Sarah Ibrahim; P.S. 104 – Rachael Mak; P.S. 127 – Rita Filali, Mattao Gutierrez and Belal Hamed; P.S. 176 – Violeta Zani and Paola Vega; P.S. 185 – Luca Friedman; P.S. 204 – Nicholas Magenta; P.S. 264 – Rhianna Gonzalez, Damon Merazzi and Elexander Bawa; Adelphi Academy – Timothy Chirkov; Holy Angels Catholic Academy – Andrew Stosko, Nolan Keegan and Sebastian Travers; and Visitation Academy – Isabella Incata.
Cymbrowitz Lauds Assembly Restoring NORC Funding
Sheepshead BayAssemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz yesterday lauded the Assembly for its’ one-house budget restoring funding for Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC) and Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NNORC), and including an additional $2 million to expand these community based programs.
“The Assembly is rejecting the governor’s proposal to reduce funding for NORCs and NNORCs,” said Cymbrowitz, who chairs the Assembly Aging Committee. “Underfunding these important programs would put some of our most vulnerable residents at risk. NORCs and NNORCs help seniors stay in their homes by providing vital support services, including health monitoring, case management and social activities.”
In addition to renewing $951,000 in funding, the Assembly’s budget proposal restores $118,000 in funding for items that were eliminated from the Executive Budget, including $86,000 for the Foundation for Senior Citizen Home Sharing and Respite and $32,000 for the Statewide Senior Action Council.
“New York State’s senior population is growing rapidly and seniors are living longer in the community,” said Assemblymember Cymbrowitz. “My Assembly colleagues and I believe strongly that this is not the time to cut funding from our aging population but to instead support every effort to keep seniors in their homes and as independent as possible.”
The Assembly proposal also seeks modifications in the eligibility and requirements for NORC and NNORC programs.
NORCs are contained within a single building or housing complex while a Neighborhood NORC serves a geographically defined neighborhood. Each type of program has requirements for a minimum number of older adults in the building (NORC) or catchment area (Neighborhood NORC) to be served.
Harris Receives COJO Award
Assemblymember Pamela Harris (Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights) was honored this past weekend at the annual Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) of Flatbush legislative breakfast in garnering the Distinguished Freshman Leadership Award for her commitment to the community.
“I am truly honored to receive this award from COJO,” said Harris. “COJO plays an important role here in Brooklyn and I’m especially grateful for their efforts on behalf of our young adults through their Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). I look forward to working together toward our shared goal of creating more and better opportunities within our community.”
Harris noted that COJO Flatbush addresses the needs of those most vulnerable in our community. This organization works diligently to improve the lives of many residents by providing access to food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and programs that help them work toward financial self-sufficiency.
Harris has continually been an outspoken advocate for Brooklyn families, spearheading Superstorm Sandy relief efforts, partnering with Sea Gate community leaders to help address local issues and serving as the executive director of Coney Island Generation Gap (CIGG), a local nonprofit that empowers youth to make positive choices.
Harris also noted that she’s continuing to fight for our families in Albany, to provide every child with an outstanding education and every New Yorker with the opportunities to get ahead.
In recognition of March as “Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” in New York State, Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn) went to Borough Hall to present an Assembly resolution to a Brooklyn man whose personal experience with colon cancer 20 years ago led him to become a powerful advocate for preventive screenings.
