Meeks on Trump’s Disgraceful Denial of Puerto Rican Deaths
U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica, Laurelton, Rosedale, Cambria Heights, Saint Albans, Springfield Gardens, Far Rockaway, JFK Airport) yesterday lashed out at President Donald Trump for rejecting a report of 3,000 deaths in Puerto Rico last year due to Hurricane Maria and falsely accusing Democrats of inflating the death toll.
“The pain and suffering felt by Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands after Hurricane Maria may not be quantifiable, but the death toll is. Facts are facts, and though we’ve grown accustomed to President Trump’s tenuous relationship with the truth and his flagrant lies, his denying 3,000 Puerto Ricans died under his watch is repulsive – even by his own standards. I recently visited Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and know that anyone with two eyes can see the overwhelming destruction, and the underwhelming recovery that has left thousands of families displaced,” said Meeks.
“Donald Trump’s denial is a disgraceful insult to the victims and their families, and to all our countrymen this administration has abandoned in their time of need. He is clearly more concerned with his pride than with his people, and actively endangering Americans by not taking an honest look at Maria to learn from his mistakes. As yet another massive hurricane has barreled towards our shores, we need to correct the course of our disaster response, even if our President is absent at the helm,” he added.
Katz, Constantinides Laud De Blasio, Stringer For Climate Change Solutions Investment
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz (D) and City Council Member Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) yesterday lauded Mayor Bill de Blasio and Comptroller Scott Stringer‘s announcemnt to set a goal of doubling the investments of the city’s pension funds to $4 billion or 2% of the City’s $195 billion pension portfolio towards climate change solutions over the next 3 years.
In order to accomplish this objective, city pension systems will aim to double the existing $2 billion investment across all asset classes to reach $4 billion of investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other climate solutions.
Climate change poses significant threats to New York City. Rising temperatures; stronger, more destructive hurricanes; and increasing precipitation tied to climate change have already affected neighborhoods and communities across all five boroughs and are projected to become increasingly severe and costly over the coming decades. Only by eliminating the use of fossil fuels and reducing the carbon pollution that drives climate change can these challenges be fully addressed, the lawmakers said.
“Over the past few years, extreme weather phenomena have directly impacted many neighborhoods in Queens,” said Katz, who as borough president is one of the trustees of the public pension funds. “These impacts show that we need to take bold action now to protect New York City from the future effects of climate change. Today’s announcement is an important step in that direction that also makes sound financial sense for our funds, since investments in clean energy technology will prove increasingly profitable as the world turns away from fossil fuels.”
“Renewable energy sources continue to prove themselves as clean, affordable alternatives to fossil fuels,” said Constantinides, Chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection. “Investing in climate solutions emboldens New York City’s role as a leader in sustainability while shoring our pension system. I will continue to fight for attainable measures that makes our air cleaner for all New Yorkers.”
Lancman to Kick Off Third Annual Social Justice Art Exhibit
City Council Member Rory I. Lancman (D-Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest, Jamaica Estates, Briarwood, Parkway Village, Jamaica Hills, Jamaica), social justice advocates, and local artists will celebrate the opening of the Third Annual Social Justice Art Exhibit this evening.
The Social Justice Art Exhibit will feature original artwork from local artists focused on social justice issues and racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
The Social Justice Art Exhibit is organized in cooperation with Congressman Gregory Meeks, State Senator Leroy Comrie, Assemblywoman Vivian E. Cook, Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman, Council Member I. Daneek Miller, the Greater Jamaica Development Corp, Jamaica Center BID, Art Transforms and Wanda Best.
The kickoff is slated for 6 p.m., tonight, Sept. 14 at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, 161-04 Jamaica Avenue in Jamaica. Artwork included in the Exhibit will be on display until October 4.
Addabbo To Holds Job Opportunity Event Next Month
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) has once again partnered with the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services for a hiring event next month.
The Jewish Board will be interviewing candidates for positions including case assistants, social work supervisors, intake specialists, receptionist, free for service social workers, milieu counselors, porters, and more.
“I always enjoy collaborating with the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services for these job opportunity events,” Addabbo said. “It is a great way for people who may be looking for work in the service industry to find a credible job. The Jewish Board has hired several new employees through these hiring events.”
The event is slated for between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 3 at the Ridgewood Library, 20-12 Madison Avenue, in Ridgewood. Attendees are asked to come dressed professionally and bring plenty of copies of their résumé.
For more information, contact Addabbo’s Howard Beach office at 718-738-1111.
