Katz To Host Annual Lunar New Year Celebration & Photo Contest
Queens Brough President Melinda Katz is ramping up to again host a Lunar New Year Celebration & Photo Contest at Queens Borough Hall to ring in the upcoming Year of the Dog.
This year’s Photo Contest invites the public to submit photos under the theme, “What Lunar New Year Means to Me.”
“On behalf of 2.3 million Queens residents, I wish everyone a healthy, safe and happy Lunar New Year,” Katz said. “It is my pleasure to once again host Lunar New Year at Borough Hall, this time with some distinguished partners from Queens. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the photo contest, and join us on March 6 at the celebration.”
This year’s celebration and photo contest are co-sponsored by the Flushing Chinese Business Association, the Forest Hills Asian Association, Foundation for Filipino Artists, Inc., Korean American Parents Association of Greater New York, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, East West Bank, Resorts World Casino New York City, SinoVision and The Korean Channel.
Each entrant’s photo must be submitted along with a completed online entry form by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21. Contest winners will be notified of their wins by email on Feb. 26. Contest rules and entry form are available online at: www.queensbp.org/lnyphotocontest.
Contest winners will be announced and the winning entries will be on display at Katz’s Lunar New Year celebration slated for 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 6 in the Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens. The event is free and open to the public. Space will be limited, so those who wish to attend should RSVP by visiting www.queensbp.org/rsvp or calling 718.286.2661.
Addabbo Bill Eases Way For Family Collection Of Veteran Remains
State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth) yesterday saw the bill (S.945) he co-sponsored making it easier to identify family members authorized to receive and make arrangements for the human remains of veterans who die in service pass the senate.
Under the measure the state would begin to recognize the federal DD Form 93 to identify family members who are authorized to receive and make arrangements for the human remains of veterans who die in service.
“Under federal law, active duty military members, as well as activated Guard and Reserve members, must fill out a DD Form 93 to designate people who should be informed in the event of their deaths, receive their remains, and make arrangements for their final resting place,” said Addabbo. “However, New York State law does not now recognize this form as an acceptable document for the disposition of service member remains, which has sometimes led to confusion, heartbreak, and legal action within families. By reconciling state and federal laws on this issue, we may be able to prevent greater hardships for families who are already suffering the loss of a loved one.”
Under current law, New York State recognizes certain written documents that govern the disposition of human remains, including the designation of a person to receive them. In the absence of a written document, the decedent’s surviving spouse, children or others may decide how to dispose of the remains through final arrangements. However, since the DD Form 93 is not recognized by New York, the disposition instructions provided by the deceased military member on this document do not necessarily need to be followed.
“Losing a cherished family member who dies in service to our nation is already hard enough on grieving spouses, children, parents and other loved ones,” said Addabbo. “This legislation may help to remove a bit of the heartache some families may suffer when disposition instructions cannot easily be determined.”
The bill is now under review by the Assembly Health Committee.
Crowley Supports Reuniting Families Act
U.S. Rep. and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-Sunnyside, Astoria, College Point, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, Woodside, parts of the Bronx) yesterday expressed his full support in co-sponsoring the Reuniting Families Act:
U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), introduced the measure last week in the House, which offers a fix of the current backlog in the family immigration system. Currently, it can take decades for a U.S. citizen to be reunited with even one family member. The Reuniting Families Act, cosponsored by 45 Members of Congress, would make a number of changes to expediate and increase family reunification.
“Our immigrant communities are under attack. President Trump’s deportation machine has waged an assault in our churches, in our schools, in our hospitals, and in our courtrooms, and he is now attempting to dismantle our family-based visa system. This is unacceptable and goes against every value I know Americans hold,” said Crowley.
“Our immigrant neighbors and friends must be assured that we are always fighting for them. The Reuniting Families Act is a solid benchmark of how we can promote an immigration policy that keeps families strong, while continuing to protect our borders and pave the way for comprehensive immigration reform. I am proud to sign onto this legislation.”
AMs Crespo, Kim, & Colleagues Speak on Urgency of Census Preparation
Queens State Lawmakers including Assemblymembers Ron Kim and Kim Nily Rozic, and State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky today will join Wayne Ho, Executive Director of the Chinese-American Planning Council, Dongchan Kim, President of Korean American Civic Empowerment, Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive Director of the Asian American Federation, John Park, Co-Director of the Minkwon Center for Community Action, and other community leaders to speak on the importance of preparing for the 2020 Census.
The census, done every ten years, is the mechanism by which funding for federal programs is apportioned. Issues with under counting and inaccurate reporting from the previous census are estimated to have cost New York billions of dollars in funding. The attendees will call for the passage of legislation (A.4348/S.5809) that would fund the state’s preparations for the 2020 census and ensure every New Yorker is counted.
The event is slated for 11 a.m., today, Feb. 14 on the steps directly outside Paris Baguette at Queens Crossing Mall, 136-17 39 Avenue in Flushing. In case of rain, the event is slated for Kim’s office, 136-20 38 Avenue, Suite 10A, also in Flushing.
