Persaud Presents Resolutions to South Shore High School Basketball Teams
State Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetowne, Ocean Hill) today will present resolutions of congratulations and recognition to both the South Shore High School boys and girls varsity basketball teams.
The School made New York City high school basketball history, as both the boys and girls varsity basketball teams won the PSAL (Public School Athletic League) championship – the first time in league’s history both teams came from a single school.
“I am extremely excited to honor both girls and boys varsity team for achieving athletic excellence. The team’s deep dedication, countless hours of training and personal sacrifice led to this historic win. This is excellent news for not only south shore Vikings but for the others schools in the district who have big dreams,” said Persaud.
The event is scheduled for 1:45 p.m., today June 1 at South Shore High School, 6565 Flatlands Avenue in Canarsie.
Donovan Pushes To Keep Critical ENT Clinic at Brooklyn VA Hospital
U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) today will join the NYC Veterans Alliance and local veterans to call on the Brooklyn VA Medical Center (VAMC) to reverse a decision to shutter its ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinic.
Veterans who rely on the department will now be forced to travel to the Manhattan or Bronx VAMC, which will cause hardships for many veterans, particularly the elderly and disabled, who will face long and difficult commutes to get to these locations.
Reports have stated that the termination of the Brooklyn ENT Clinic was caused by the VA’s lack of ability to fill staffing vacancies. No matter the reason, it is unacceptable that the unit will be closed, and it’s the VA’s responsibility to properly staff and maintain services for veterans in need.
Thousands of veterans rely on the Brooklyn VAMC for care each year and Donovan has made it a priority to ensure that the nation’s heroes have access to the benefits they earned. Last year, Donovan was instrumental in reversing a proposal that would have significantly reduced critical services available at the Brooklyn VAMC.
The rally is slated for 10 a.m., today June 1 at the Brooklyn Knights of Columbus, 1305 86th Street in Dyker Heights.
AM Williams, State & Fed Agencies Hold Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Workshop
Assemblymember Jaime Williams (D-Canarsie, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Gerritsen BeachBrooklyn, NY) along with the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Intergovernmental Division, and the Division of Military and Naval Affairs yesterday held a disaster Preparedness Workshop to a packed auditorium at St. Albans Church, 9408 Farragut Road in Canarsie.
Despite the “seating room only” crowd, and the heat of the early summer, the crowd sat as life saving information spilled over them. Leading off the educational seminar was Gardy Brazela the President of the 69th Precinct Community Council. Following the introductory remarks, Warrant Officer Cortez highlighted the necessary responses and reactions to “active shooter” situations, a fact all too common in today’s world and proper responses and emergency preparedness for natural disasters.
All participants received “go bags” with proper materials and equipment to allow them to handle unfortunate disasters that may strike. Along with the “go bags” all in attendance took away vast knowledge enabling them to be better prepared.
“The current environment of natural disasters striking on a more and more frequent basis requires the need to be prepared as best as one can, we cannot forget the grievous disaster of Super Storm Sandy or the hurricanes that devastated the Caribbean, or the recent tropical storms that struck Florida or the State of Emergency that Maryland is overcoming,” said Williams.
“These are not situations that are fictional, these emergency situations are a common theme and we must be prepared to handle these scenarios. The information spoken about this evening will help save lives, and that is the paramount goal,” the lawmaker added.
Treyger Questions DOE Chancellor Carranza at the Chancellor’s First Education Budget Hearing
City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend), chair of the council’s Committee on Education, last week pushed new Department of Education Chancellor Richard Carranza for answers about the DOE’s failure to equip the city’s public schools with adequate staff and services to support the social and emotional needs of the city’s students.
The grilling came during a joint hearing before the city council.
“We currently have over 5,500 school safety agents in our city’s schools,” said Treyger. “That’s more than the number of social workers, guidance counselors, and school psychologists combined. In a system of 1.1 million students, we have one social worker for every 850 students, one guidance counselor for every 382 students, and one psychologist for every 1,886 students. Our students are asking for help, and the City is ignoring them. That is unacceptable.”
Savino, Persaud Press Senate Vote On Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act
State Senators Diane Savino (D-Coney Island, Sunset Park, Staten Island) and Roxanne Persaud, along with members of the Senate Democratic Conference forced the Senate Republican Majority to vote on the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act and the Reproductive Health Act.
Both women’s rights bills have major support among New York voters, yet have been repeatedly blocked from becoming law by the Senate Republican Majority. Additionally, the Senate Democrats issued a report, Pricy Predicament: Access To Affordable Emergency Contraception, which outlined the need for better contraceptive care to be provided to New York women by health insurance companies.
“As a proud co-sponsor of both the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act and the Reproductive Health Act, I will continue to push for basic health services for women across the State–basic services that allow women to access affordable, safe, and necessary care everyday,” said Savino.
If enacted, the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act, would require health insurance companies to include coverage of all FDA-approved contraceptive options, as well as contraceptive counseling, and services. This legislation passed the State Assembly by a 103-43 margin. The Reproductive Health Act will modernize New York’s nearly 50-year-old statutes regarding abortion and ensure that New York State law treats abortion as health care, not a criminal act. This measure passed the State Assembly by a 93-44 margin.
The Senate Democratic report highlights that over-the-counter emergency contraception is 95% effective in preventing pregnancies if taken within 24-hours. The average cost of over-the-counter emergency contraception is approximately $60 which could be a major deterrent for low-wage New York women. The Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act would address those concerns by ensuring health insurance companies cover these options at zero additional costs, but it has been held up by the Senate Republican Majority despite being sponsored by a Republican senator.
“We must do everything in our power to expand access to the full range of reproductive health services and the women in New York are entitled to have these basic health care services,” said Persaud. “The Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act and Reproductive Health Act would ensure that the women in New York are guaranteed access to affordable, safe, and essential reproductive health options. This small change will make a big difference in the lives of women in the district who need this most.”
