Crowley On 20th Anniversary Of Good Friday Agreement
U.S. Rep. and House Democratic Chairman Joe Crowley (D-Sunnyside, Astoria, College Point, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, Woodside, parts of the Bronx) issued the following statement in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, which helped bring an end to centuries of violent conflict in the North of Ireland:
“Twenty years ago, leaders in the North of Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom joined in one of the world’s most important diplomatic achievements – securing an agreement that would lead to the end of centuries of armed conflict. While the Good Friday Agreement never would have happened without the courage of leaders like Gerry Adams and Tony Blair, I also believe progress would have stalled absent the tenacity of the Irish-American community, the Clinton administration, and bipartisan support from the United States Congress.
“Today we celebrate and recognize all that has been achieved: Belfast is no longer an active war zone, rural areas live in peace, and a centuries-long system of repression has been put to rest. But this is also a time to acknowledge the challenges ahead that must be tackled in order to sustain peace and prosperity. This is why the Trump administration should respond to bipartisan calls to move forward with the appointment of a special envoy to the North, as well as commit to continuing diplomatic efforts to ensure lasting peace.
“The Good Friday Agreement was an incredible achievement, but it was a process, not an end in itself. We must continue to do all that we can to sustain the hope it created for a peaceful future not just for those in the North, but for those who believe in human rights and human dignity throughout the world.”
Avella Presents State Grant to Clearview Assistance Program
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Flushing, Jamaica Estates, Fresh Meadows, Bellerose, Floral Park, Jamaica, Douglaston, Little Neck, Auburndale, Kissena Park, Briarwood) on Monday presented a $100,000 state grant check to the Clearview Assistance Program (CAP) to help fund programs throughout the community.
CAP NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) Supportive Service Program offers social work and nursing services, educational and recreational services to all individuals 60 and over living in the Clearview Gardens Cooperative. NORC Supportive Service Programs are designed to serve communities where a majority of residents have “aged in place.” The program’s goal is to help elders remain safely in their own homes as long as possible.
“I was excited to get funding for the Clearview Assistance Program in this year’s budget. The work they do for seniors is exceptional and their intergenerational programs have helped forge relationships between seniors and school children in the area. The work they do goes beyond their confines and impacts the community as a whole and I’m happy to be able to help fund their work,” said Avella.
Addabbo Urges DOE To Lock Doors As Safety Initiative
State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) yesterday said that the city’s Department of Education (DOE) recent letter sent out to schools alerting parents that public schools will be implementing temporary metal detectors to scan each student for weapons is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done.
“While having these metal scanners in our public schools on certain days will allow the NYPD’s School Safety Division and school staff to root out students carrying metal weapons such as blades and knives, it does little to protect students and faculty from outside threats,” said Addabbo.
“As the ranking member of the Senate Education Committee, I have been urging the DOE to look into the bill I introduced into the Senate (S.7927), which would mandate all doors leading into city public schools be locked from the outside. This simple and easy-to-implement safety measure would require visitors to be screened before they can enter the building,” he added.
Lancman Announces Schedule of Family Days in His District
City Council Member Rory I. Lancman (D-Briarwood, Cunningham Park, Flushing, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Fresh Meadows, Hollis, Holliswood, Jamaica, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills, Kew Gardens, Kew Gardens Hills, Richmond Hill) yesterday announced that he will be hosting Family Days at nine parks and playgrounds throughout the 24th Council District.
Lancman’s Family Day events are held in partnership with the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation and are free for children and families to attend.
Lancman allocated nearly $60,000 in the FY18 budget specifically for Family Day events that feature an assortment of fun and entertainment for the entire family. This is the fourth consecutive year that Lancman has organized Family Days for the community.
Here is the complete schedule of Council Member Lancman’s Family Day events:
May 13: Captain Tilly Playground
May; 19: Turtle Playground;
May 20: Rufus King Park;
June 2: 75 Playground
June 3: Utopia Playground
June 10: Hoover Manton Playground
June 16: Pomonok Playground
June 17: Mauro Playground
June 23: Electric Playground
