BP Adams Sends Condolences To Victims Of Manchester Terror Attack
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams is sending his condolences to the dozens of victims killed and injured in last night’s explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England.
The blast is being categorized as a “terror incident”, that so far has claimed 19 lives and dozens of other injured.
“Brooklyn joins communities around the world praying for the victims of the terror attack at Manchester Arena. The horrifying targeting of a concert filled with innocent children and families is inhumanity personified. As a staunch ally, I am confident that our City’s men and women in law enforcement will do all they can to support their English counterparts, while re-ensuring the safety and security at entertainment sites in the five boroughs,” said Adams.
“This moment of grieving reminds us of the threats to ‘soft targets’ like concert venues, and the need for all of our local establishments — big and small alike — to factor this potential into their business plans. Leadership at all levels of government should be focused on increasing the capacity of initiatives such as NYPD Shield that increase counterterrorism preparedness. Brooklynites and New Yorkers do not surrender to fear, just as they do not underestimate the importance of safeguarding themselves against those pursuing acts of violence,” he added.
Hamilton, Savino Call On Dems To Support Progressive Legislation
New York State Senators Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) and Diane Savino (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) are calling on all elected Democrats to sign a pledge, become sponsors and help enact progressive legislation before the end of the legislative session this week.
Alongside the rest of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), the ‘Call the Roll’ Campaign will look to see where democrats stand on key progressive issues which include: the Reproductive Health Act, the DREAM Act, GENDA, protecting Title X funding, public campaign finance, single-payer health care and the Contraceptive Care Act.
“Donald Trump’s cuts in health care and Title X funding for family planning services threatens our families health. We must enact safeguards in New York. We must require that the Department of Health maintain the current levels of funding and access to family planning services, regardless of any policies coming out of Washington. So let’s call the roll and count 32 Democratic votes for family planning services,” said Hamilton.
“In the era of Donald Trump women need protection now more than ever. We need 32 votes to codify a woman’s right to choose and make decisions about her own reproductive health. The Independent Democratic Conference is the only legislative conference whose members are 100 percent pro-choice. So let’s call the roll for a woman’s right to choose,” said Savino.
The campaign is slated to start Wednesday, May 24 with pledge letters being sent to the offices of each Democrat in the house, asking for a pledge of support on all seven issues, without exception.
Donovan Bolsters National Security
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) helped pass legislation to provide law enforcement officials with the resources they need to prepare for and respond to terror threats yesterday.
The Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017 (H.R. 1616) and Improving Fusion Centers’ Access to Information Act (H.R. 2169) provides state and local law enforcement with the tools and training they need to combat cyber threats. Specifically the bill authorizes the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI), a cybercrime fighting training center that provides law enforcement agents with comprehensive training on current cybercrime trends, investigative methods, and prosecutorial and judicial challenges.
The Improving Fusion Centers’ Access to Information Act streamlines the country’s information sharing and coordination between federal, state, and local authorities. This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to identify and analyze gaps in information sharing among fusion centers – physical workplaces that bring together federal, state, and local agencies to share counterterrorism intelligence – and address these challenges.
“It’s critical that that our law enforcement agencies have the information and training they need to prevent and respond to threats. This legislation will help increase coordination between the brave men and women who defend us on the local, state, and federal level to ensure that they have the tools needed to protect our homeland. Recent attacks across the globe highlight the need for increased vigilance, and I will continue to support legislation that helps shield our nation from those who wish us harm,” said Donovan.
Velázquez Announces New Oral Healthcare Grant For HIV Patients
Congress Member Nydia Velazquez (D-Northern Brooklyn, LES, Queens) yesterday announced a new grant for NYU Lutheran Medical Center to enhance access to oral health care for HIV patients at Sunset Park Health Council, Inc.
Through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Park F Community Based Dental Partnership Program, Sunset Park Health Council is receiving $103,268 in funds for oral healthcare for HIV patients.
The grant will provide a community-based program that incorporates dental health services for underserved people living with HIV and educational and clinical training for dental students. The resources will expand dental services to promote a comprehensive individualized health care plan for those living with HIV.
“Community Health Centers provide care to our city’s most vulnerable populations. In neighborhoods where individuals often face a lack of health care services, these centers can be the difference between receiving quality care and none at all,” said Velazquez.
“To combat the devastating reality of being diagnosed with HIV, I’m confident that the staff at Sunset Park Health Council will put this new grant money to the best use by expanding services and reaching new patients. I am proud to see these resources invested in an institution that already does so much to ensure quality health care in Sunset Park,” she added.
Golden Hosts Celebration For Asian Pacific Heritage Month
New York State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-Bay Ridge) announced his 15th Annual Asian Pacific Heritage Festival yesterday.
The festival will take place this weekend in conjunction with the national celebration of Asian American Heritage, which takes place during the month of May.
The program will feature the distribution of a special golden charm that represents joy and peace in Asian tradition, as well as acts that reflect Asian culture including performances with cultural dress and costumes, a presentation demonstrating Korean martial arts and Kung fu, and performances featuring Burmese and Chinese dances.
“The number of Asian Americans living and working here in Brooklyn continues to grow. Each year, we celebrate the month of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month and we do so, in order to recognize the achievements and the successes of the Asian community. I once again look forward to hosting this annual event that honors the many important contributions that Asian/Pacific Americans have made to our community,” said Golden.
The event is slated for 12-4 p.m. this Sunday, May 28 at McKinley Park (at the corner of bay ridge Parkway and Fort Hamilton Parkway) in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
Clarke Denounces Inadequate Extension Of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian Nationals
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Flatbush, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay) is decrying the decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals living in the United States by only six months, to January 22, 2018.
TPS status is a temporary immigration status that allows beneficiaries to remain in the U.S. and to obtain work authorization. However, TPS does not necessarily lead to permanent resident status (green card) and can lead beneficiaries to revert to the same immigration status they maintained before TPS.
“I am deeply disappointed by the refusal of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide a full, eighteen-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals living in the United States. A bipartisan coalition in Congress, as well as human rights activists and prominent members of the international community, had assembled in support of a full extension. The situation in Haiti remains precarious. The recovery from the earthquake in 2010 has been severely threatened and hampered by an outbreak of cholera and the massive destruction of Hurricane Matthew, the most devastating storm to reach Haiti in half a century,” said Clarke.
“TPS has provided invaluable support for the recovery, allowing Haitian nationals here to send remittances to their relatives. These remittances are vital to the recovery and equal Haiti’s entire annual governmental budget. In addition, forcing 50,000 people to return to Haiti would impose enormous burdens on the meager social services available and fractured infrastructure that remains unstable. I remain concerned by recent inaccurate, unwarranted and unsubstantiated characterizations of Haitian nationals by the Trump administration – this decision was based on factors other than conditions in Haiti, the only factor that should legally have been considered,” she added.
