BP Adams To Unveil New Memorial At 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams will join victims’ families and first responders at his third annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony today.
The event which honors those who lost heir lives nearly 16 years ago will include, for the first time, a banner with all the names of the 266 Brooklyn residents who died that day. The banner will remain on display through the anniversary of the tragic terror attacks that took the lives of almost 3,000 people in 2011. The banner will serve as a permanent memorial to be displayed annually, enabling the victims’ loved ones and all Brooklynites to pay their respects on an annual basis.
The event will feature interfaith prayer, readings and tributes by surviving family members, and selections from the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. The banner of names will be unveiled ahead of the first moment of silence at 9:59 AM, coinciding with the time of the South Tower collapse, followed by the lowering of the American flag atop Brooklyn Borough Hall as well as the placement of a remembrance wreath outside the building by Adams and victims’ families. A second moment of silence at 10:28 AM will coincide with the North Tower collapse.
During the ceremony, Adams will also present a check to the Leon W. Smith Jr. Foundation, named after firefighter Leon W. Smith, Jr., who tragically lost his life saving others on that fateful day.
Featured keynote speakers at the event include NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill and FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro, as well as remarks from NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Benjamin Tucker, US Army Colonel Peter Sicoli, and FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard.
The event is slated for 9 a.m., today, Sept. 7, at Brooklyn Borough Hall, at 209 Joralemon Street in downtown Brooklyn.
Donovan Applauds Houses Passage Of Harvey Relief Bill
Congressman Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) applauded the passage of the Hurricane Harvey disaster relief bill yesterday.
The new legislation, which passed in the House of Representative by a vote of 419-3, will provide $7.85 billion for recovery efforts in Texas and Louisiana. The bill will now move to the Senate who according to initial reports, is expected to vote on the legislation this week.
According to earlier reports, Hurricane Harvey dropped 52 inches of rain, resulting in catastrophic flooding in Houston, TX and surrounding Gulf Coast areas as it continued to move inland toward Kentucky. At least 37 people have been confirmed dead, and at least 17 are missing so far. Tens of thousands of Americans have been evacuated from their homes, and 32,000 area residents are currently in shelters. At least 200,000 homes and businesses are without power. Reports estimate that the storm may cost somewhere in the range of $50 billion to $190 billion.
“Natural disasters have no boundaries, and it’s an American responsibility to stand with our neighbors in their time of need. In the past week, people from across the nation – including an outpouring of support from Staten Islanders who have donated to and organized relief drives – have come together to help those who’ve been left with nothing in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Today, Congress built on these selfless actions by swiftly passing an initial disaster relief package that will give families, businesses, and communities the resources they need to move forward in the recovery process,” said Donovan.
“New Yorkers know all too well the widespread devastation hurricanes bring and the long and tough road to rebuilding ahead. Together, with the hard work of President Trump, congressional leadership, first responders and volunteers, our nation will continue working to ensure that Texas and Louisiana is able to recover and rebuild stronger than before,” added Donovan.
Menchaca, Immigration Committee Expand City’s Immigration Policies
City Council member Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park), alongside his colleagues in the City’s Council Committee on Immigration, passed two pieces of legislation to help support the most vulnerable immigrants living in New York City.
The two pieces of legislation, which passed yesterday, Intro. 1566 and Intro. 1578, will expand the role of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) and create an inter-agency task force, respectively.
The bills will provide legal services, establish a state and federal affairs unit, create an inter-agency task force, led by MOIA, responsible for coordinating city services for immigrants, particularly those of vulnerable populations such as victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, the criminal justice system, LGBTQI individuals and minors among other policies.
On Tuesday, President Trump decided to phase out DACA, ordering the end of a five-year-old executive action protecting young undocumented immigrants from deportation and setting a March 25, 2018 deadline for it’s termination. Trump gave Congress a six-month delay with the hopes that they will pass a replacement in time. As part of the order, the Trump administration will not accept any new DACA applications. The decision to roll back the Obama-era policy is slated to affect nearly 30,000 New York City residents that could potentially face deportation.
“In New York City today, we reaffirm that our undocumented neighbors are no less New Yorkers than anyone else who chooses to live here. These bills will expand the scope of MOIA’s great work, connecting immigrants to legal services, while establishing an inter-agency task-force to protect vulnerable populations such as victims of human trafficking, LGBTQI individuals and those formerly involved in the criminal justice system. We are showing the nation how to lead when it comes to protecting immigrants and will not let up this fight,” added Menchaca.
PA James, Walker To Talk With Students About Universal School Lunch
Public Advocate Letitia James and Assembly member Latrice Walker (D-Brownsville) will visit with students on their 1st Day of school to talk to them about the implementation of universal school lunch today.
Universal school lunch will be implemented for the first time this school year for all public school students. The program is expected to reach 1.1 million students.
According to officials, 75 percent of NYC public school students already qualified for free or reduced-price lunches before the program was established including a free systemwide breakfast program.
The event is slated for 11 a.m., today, Sept. 7, at PS. 178 Saint Clair Mckelway, 2163 Dean Street in Ocean Hill, Brooklyn.
Nadler Increases Funding To HIV/AIDS Housing Program
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-Borough Park, Kensington, and parts of Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Red Hook, Sunset Park, Midwood and Western Manhattan) offered an amendment as part of the omnibus appropriations bill (H.R.3354) that would increase funding for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program yesterday.
Nadler’s amendment, which was expected to pass the House en-bloc last night, ensures New York City and other communities continue to receive necessary funding under the new HOPWA formula by increasing funding by $19 million.
In July of 2016, the “HOTMA” or the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act, was passed that included the modernization of the HOPWA formula. The bill restructured the federal program to funnel more money into areas struggling to control the viruses outbreak. The changes signaled a decrease in funds for larger cities and an increase in funding for rural areas still trying to cope with “epidemic.”
According to the new formula, HOPWA has awarded $320.4 million to qualifying states and local jurisdictions to be apportioned based on their share of the total number of people living with the virus. In addition, the number of cases required to qualify for funding under the new changes increased from 1,500 cumulative AIDS cases to 2,000 living cases of HIV/AIDS.
“At the current HOPWA funding levels, the new formula leaves several jurisdictions, including New York City and Miami, at risk of losing funding for this important program. In a program as efficient as HOPWA, when grantees lose funding, people living with AIDS lose their housing. Research clearly demonstrates that housing instability leads to worse health outcomes for those living with HIV/AIDS, and these potential cuts could have a devastating impact on these patients and their families. The new formula will only be effective in addressing the AIDS housing crisis if we maintain adequate funding levels,” said Nadler.
CM Williams To Honor First Hasidic Female Judge
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) will honor New York City’s first Hasidic female judge, Judge Rachel Freier today.
In 2016, Freier was elected Civil Court judge for the Kings County 5th judicial district in New York State, thereby becoming the first Hasidic Jewish woman to be elected as a civil court judge in New York State, and the first Hasidic woman to serve in public office in United States history. She has also been a real estate attorney and community activist including serving as a volunteer court lawyer in the New York City Family Court.
Williams alongside Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverto (D-Manhattan), Council Member David Greenfield (D-Borough Park, Midwood) and members of the City Council’s Jewish Caucus, will present Freier with a proclamation for her accomplishments.
The event is slated for 1 p.m., today, Sept. 7, in the City Council Chambers, at City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
Golden To Host Public Safety Town Hall
Senator Martin Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) will host a public safety town hall today.
Golden will be joined by the 62nd Police precinct and be an opportunity for residents and local leaders to publicly voice their concerns regarding quality of life and safety issues.
The event is slated for 7 p.m to 8:30 p.m., today, Sept. 7, at Europa Cafe, at 424 Kings Highway in Bensonhurst.
