BP Adams To Honor Latest “Heroes of the Month”
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams today will honor Brooklyn’s latest “Heroes of the Month” at a ceremony.
This month’s ceremony will recognize New York City Police Department (NYPD) Sergeant William Hart, who saved a teenage boy who was about to jump off the Brooklyn side of the Manhattan Bridge.
The ceremony will also honor a group of local businesses and service-based organizations that provided free services to federal workers during the government shutdown earlier this year; those organizations include Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens, the kosher soup kitchen network Masbia, as well as small businesses Massage Outpost and Sweet Chick.
The event is slated for 10 a.m., today, March 7, at Brooklyn Borough Hall at 209 Joralemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Rose Call On Congress To Tackle Rising Healthcare Costs, Improve Healthcare Law
Congressman Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) called on House leadership this week to strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and to take steps towards affordable and truly universal healthcare coverage for all Americans.
In a letter to House Committee Chairmen with jurisdiction over healthcare issues, Rose and 75 members of the New Democrat Coalition urged the committees to take steps to fortify the health care markets, to cut costs, and to continue working toward truly universal coverage.
“Our constituents elected a Democratic majority in the House by choosing candidates who stood strongly in support of protecting those with pre-existing conditions and bringing down health care costs for all. Now that we are in the House Majority, we must follow through on these pledges and take decisive action to tackle rising health care costs,” read the letter to committee leadership.
The letter to Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, and Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott, specifically asks the committees to create a dedicated reinsurance program, to create state innovation grants, and to give consumers some much needed relief through additional premium assistance.
“For too long, the conversation about healthcare has represented everything that’s wrong with Washington—with politicians and special interests actively sabotaging our healthcare system, then complaining about its failures without offering any solutions,” said Rose.
Cumbo To Host Affordable Housing Workshop
City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights) announced she will be hosting an affordable housing workshop this month.
The event, ‘Ready To Rent’, will provide attendees financial and affordable housing application assistance. The event is being held in conjunction with IMPACCT Brooklyn.
The event is slated for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 12, at Brooklyn Music School, at 126 St. Felix Street in Fort Greene.
To search for and apply for affordable housing opportunities throughout New York City, visit NYC Housing Connect.
Gounardes Brings Awareness To Lymphedema, Marks March 6th as Lymphedema Day in NYS
State Senator Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend) recently introduced two resolutions aimed at improving awareness around lymphedemas.
The two resolutions will go toward creating the lymphedema and lymphatic diseases research grants program and creating the lymphatic disease research and education fund. Gounardes also commended Tina Himaya for outstanding advocacy and proclaiming March 6, 2019 as Lymphedema Day. Himaya lives with Primary Lymphedema and is an advocate for more research, funding and visibility for the disease.
Lymphedema refers to swelling that generally occurs in one of your arms or legs. Sometimes both arms or both legs swell. The disorder is most commonly caused by the removal of or damage to your lymph nodes as a part of cancer treatment. It results from a blockage in your lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system. The blockage prevents lymph fluid from draining well, and the fluid buildup leads to swelling, according to the Mayor Clinic.
“New York State has been a leader in the fight against lymphedema and was the first to establish March 6th as Lymphedema Day. Lemphedema may affect as many as 10 million people in the U.S. alone, many of whom have survived or are battling cancer, yet the disease is not widely known,” said Gounardes.
“I am honored to recognize organizations like the Lymphatic Education & Research Network and individuals like Tina Himaya who have been at the forefront; raising awareness and tirelessly advocating for additional research, education, and funding to help combat this debilitating disease,” added Gounardes.
Brooklyn Democrats Unveil Internet Act To Restore Net Neutrality Protections
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Park Slope) alongside Democratic leaders of the House and Senate yesterday unveiled the Save the Internet Act that will keep the internet open and free.
The legislation will reverse the disastrous repeal by Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in late 2017 of critical net neutrality protections. The Save the Internet Act enacts the three legacy net neutrality principles – no blocking, no throttling and no paid prioritization – and empowers the FCC to prohibit unjust, unreasonable and discriminatory practices.
The legislation also ensures consumers can make informed decisions when shopping for internet plans and restores the FCC’s authority to fund broadband access and deployment, particularly for rural communities and struggling Americans. The Save the Internet Act codifies the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order in a similar manner to last year’s Congressional Review Act that passed the Senate and had bipartisan support in the House.
“Special interests and the biggest corporations shouldn’t get to decide how consumers access the internet. Democrats are fighting for everyone who relies on the free and open internet. We call on Republicans to join the vast majority of Americans who oppose the FCC’s horribly misguided decision and support this legislation to restore net neutrality,” said Schumer.
“The Save the Internet Act puts power back in the hands of the American people by restoring net neutrality. We have promised the American people to restore open, unrestricted access to the internet and build out high-speed internet to every, school, small business and community in America still waiting for it. Today we are keeping that promise,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Clarke.
