Addabbo Calls On The ‘She Built NYC’ Initiative To Include Mother Cabrini
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 fired off a letter to First Lady Chirlane McCray and her selection panel for the ‘She Built NYC’ for an explanation on why the panel ignored the people’s choice of Mother Frances Cabrini and failed to include the saint for a statue.
The ‘She Built NYC’ initiative previously held a vote where members of the public could choose which influential women who helped shape New York City they would want to see the city erect a statue of. Those results were recently released and Mother Frances Cabrini, an Italian-American who came to New York in the 1800s and who helped support the Italian immigrants here by creating orphanages, schools, hospitals and more, won with more than double the votes of the second-place selection.
However, Mother Cabrini was not included in the final selection of which women would get statues. The panel chose five other women for that honor.
“I am not disputing the women chosen by the panel for this initiative, but I am questioning why ‘She Built NYC’ would hold a public poll and then decide to ignore the voice of the people by not including the woman who finished with the most votes by a large margin,” said Addabbo, who is also the President of the Conference of Italian American Legislators. “It makes little sense to hold a vote and then go against the overwhelming winner of that vote. In my letter to the First Lady, not only did I asked for an explanation of the voting process and why Mother Cabrini wasn’t selected after being voted the clear winner, but also for the ‘She Built NYC’ panel to reconsider adding her for this honor.”
Mother Cabrini was born in Italy in 1850 and came to the United States where she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, several schools, orphanages, and hospitals right here in New York City, helping countless children and Italian immigrants. After her death, she was canonized by the Catholic Church and is recognized as the United States’ first saint.
“Mother Cabrini’s contributions to New York City and the burgeoning immigrant community cannot be overlooked,” Addabbo added. “If there was ever a woman who deserved to be honored with a statue in her image for her work in helping to shape New York City, I believe Mother Cabrini was a great choice selected by the people.”
Gianaris Financial Crimes Legislation Enacted
Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside and parts of Woodside, Maspeth, Ridgewood, Woodhaven) announced yesterday that Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed his legislation to extend the statute of limitations on certain financial crimes.
The legislation allows a six-year window for prosecutions under the Martin Act, a 1920s-era law used to prosecute financial fraud on Wall Street.
“The Martin Act has become an invaluable tool for enforcement against financial crimes and unfortunately a misguided court decision made it harder to use that tool,” said Gianaris. “We wanted to go back to the way it was originally used and allow the state the maximum time possible to go after wrongdoing in the financial services industry. I am pleased the Governor signed this legislation and I am pleased to work with the Attorney General to fight financial crimes.”
Last year, the New York State Court of Appeals ruled the Martin Act could only have a three-year statute of limitations. Previous interpretations had allowed the state’s Attorney General to use a six-year statute of limitations, making the law significantly more powerful in fighting financial crimes and securities fraud, securing more than a billion dollars in relief for New Yorkers.
The legislation takes effect immediately.
Rose Tours JFK Airport Holds Briefing On Fentanyl Screening
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island), chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism, today will hold a press conference following a tour of the International Mail Facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) where he will receive a briefing from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on mail screening processes to prevent the importation of illicit fentanyl into the United States.
Last month, Rose chaired a hearing in which he received confirmation that CBP has failed to implement or make significant progress on recommendations made in an Inspector General report from last September regarding deficiencies in CBP’s inspection processes at JFK, where more than half of all international mail is processed.
The press conference is slated for 10:30 a.m., today, Aug. 27 outside the United States Post Office, John F. Kennedy Mail Center (Building 250), 250 N Boundary Road in Jamaica.
Kim, Stavisky Hold Back-To-School Giveaway
Assemblymember Ron Kim (D-Whitestone, Flushing, College Point, Murray Hill) and State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Central Queens) today will join representatives from Healthfirst and the 109th Precinct Community Council, along with officers from the 109th Police Precinct for their 2019 Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway.
As in previous years, all children and students who attend must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
The event is slated for 10:30 a.m., today, Aug. 27 in the backlot of the 109th Police Precinct 37-05 Union Street in Flushing.
