Jeffries Introduces Bill To Protect National Wildlife Refuges
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy, Brownsville, East New York, Canarsie, Mill Basin, Coney Island, South Ozone Park and Howard Beach) alongside eight other members of congress, have introduced a bipartisan bill to support the National Wildlife Refuge System.
The Keep America’s Refuges Operational Act, H.R. 3979, will reauthorize the National Wildlife Refuge System volunteer, community partnership and education program. This program helps ensure public access to our refuges for exploring, hunting, fishing and studying wildlife.
America’s 561 National Wildlife Refuges are located in all 50 states and the five territories. They make up 850 million acres of pristine public lands and waters dedicated to the conservation of fish and wildlife.
Additionally, the bill would maintain the refuges volunteer force, or 40,000 Wildlife refuge volunteers. As of Fiscal Year 2016, their contribution included 1.4 million hours donated, which is equal to $30.6 million.
“Once a species is extinct, there is no turning back. Like the Founding Fathers of our great country, we must protect American wildlife and the ecosystems they depend upon. The Keep America’s Refuges Operational Act is a commonsense measure that will prove to be a strong step in that direction,” said Jeffries.
Hikind Applauds Arrest Of Swastika-Letter Writer Suspect
Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Borough Park) applauded the efforts of local law enforcement in arresting the individual suspected of sending threatening letters with swastikas to numerous merchants yesterday.
The suspect, who was arrested late Tuesday night in New Jersey, allegedly sent out dozens of letters calling to “make America great again” telling business owners “Juden Raus [Jews out] – Negroes and Faggots Burn in Hell.” The suspect is being held without bond.
Hikind personally reported the first incident to police on Oct. 1 after Weiss’ Bakery, located in the 48th Assembly District, was one of the recipients of the hateful letter.
“These racist, hateful letters frightened people. Someone had the audacity to use the U.S. Mail to threaten numerous innocent people, and to specifically target a neighborhood where numerous Holocaust survivors reside. I can’t adequately describe the pain and fear that this created for people. But now everyone can go into the holidays tonight with a sense of relief,” said Hikind.
“In this day and age, we must take threats very seriously. We must get villains and monsters who spread hate and menace to innocent people off our streets and behind bars. I join our entire community and all decent New Yorkers in applauding our spectacular police department—truly New York’s finest—the NYPD’s 66thprecinct, and especially Mark Molinari, head of the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, Lieutenant Robert Delaney of the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, and New Jersey’s law enforcement officers who participated in this investigation and arrest,” added Hikind.
Cumbo Commemorates International Day of the Girl
City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill) chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues, commemorated International Day of the Girl yesterday.
In 2011, as the result of youth advocacy around the world, the United Nations declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, with the mission “to help galvanize worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls’ lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential.”
It’s a day when activist groups come together under the same goal to highlight, discuss, and take action to advance rights and opportunities for girls everywhere.
“From the Commission on Gender Equity and Young Women’s Initiative to the advancement of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education, the City of New York remains at the forefront of creating opportunities that empower women and girls to realize their full potential. I am proud of our ongoing, year-long efforts to close the wage and political ambition gap while increasing the representation of women in nontraditional careers,” said Cumbo.
“Every day, girls from around the world are deprived of an education, lured into human trafficking, or married before reaching the age of 18. Since 2012, the International Day of the Girl has grown into a global movement for action and change that will end gender-based violence, discrimination, and violence. We must realize that the strong girls become stronger women who are trailblazers for the next generation. It is our collective responsibility – men and women – to remind our daughters, sisters, nieces, and granddaughters that they can dream big and achieve greatness every single day,” added Cumbo
Donovan Applauds Nomination Of Nielsen As Homeland Security Secretary
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) applauded the nomination of Kirstjen Nielsen as the Department of Homeland Security Secretary yesterday.
On Wednesday, Nielsen was nominated by President Trump in an official announcement, in which Trump cited her “extensive professional experience in the areas of homeland security policy and strategy, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure and emergency management,” according to initial reports. She is the first nominee for the homeland security post who had served in the department, according to the statement.
Nielsen was previously a homeland security official in the George W. Bush administration.
“President Trump made an excellent choice in Kirstjen Nielsen to lead the Department of Homeland Security. She has extensive experience in security policy and in navigating the department. I look forward to working with President Trump and Ms. Nielsen to protect the homeland, secure the border, and keep our country safe,” said Donovan.
Eugene Hosts Participatory Budgeting Meeting
City Council lmember Mathieu Eugene (D-Prospect-Lefferts, Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush) will hosts a neighborhood assembly on District 40 Participatory Budgeting tonight.
The event will give constituents of District 40 an opportunity to lead discussions, nominate projects, and then vote to decide which improvements to parks, schools, libraries, and streets will be funded as part of the participatory budgeting process.
The event is slated for 6 p.m. to 8p.m., today, Oct. 12, at P.S. 6 (Auditorium), at 43 Snyder Avenue in Flatbush.
Levin Pushes To Reform Parking Laws During Religious Holidays
City Council member Stephen Levin (D-Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Williamsburg, Boerum Hill) is taking legislative action and drafting up a new bill to suspend parking regulations during religious holidays.
Levin was motivated to draft legislation this week after a ticketing spree last Saturday along Myrtle Avenue affected many Jewish individuals observing the holiday of Sukkot. Alternate Side Parking regulations prohibit parking on Saturday on Myrtle Avenue. However, this year Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah fell on days preceding or following Shabbat, creating a situation where residents were unable to move their automobiles between Wednesday and Saturday.
In anticipation of the complication, Levin reached out to relevant New York City agencies to suspend Alternate Side Parking regulations on Saturday but the request was denied. Levin hopes the new bill give NYC residents an opportunity to observe religious holidays without the fear of getting ticketed.
“No one should be punished for practicing their peaceful religious beliefs. My staff and I reached out to numerous New York City agencies to let them know about this situation. I stressed the need for sensitivity to religious observances. It seemed everyone was in agreement to do the right thing. Unfortunately, the message did not get across. That’s why I’ve decided to draft legislation that will suspend parking regulations during rare occasions like this weekend. No one should have to choose between getting a ticket and observing their faith,” said Levin.
