Queens Lawmakers Congratulate New De Blasio Appointee
State Senators Jessica Ramos (D-Jackson Heights, Corona, Astoria, Woodside, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst) and Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth and parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside and The Rockaways), Assemblymembers Alicia Hyndman (D-Springfield Gardens), Catherine Nolan (D-Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Long Island City, Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Astoria, Woodside, Maspeth, Dutch Kills, Blissville), and David Weprin (D-Richmond Hill, Fresh Meadows), and City Councilmembers Daniel Dromm (D-Elmhurst, Jackson Heights), Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside), I. Daneek Miller (D-Cambria Heights, Hollis, Jamaica, St. Albans, Queens Village, and Springfield Gardens) and Francisco Moya (D-East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Corona in Queens, including Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Lefrak City and LaGuardia Airport) congratulated Mayor Bill de Blasio’s new appointment as Commissioner of the Mayor’ Community Affairs Unit (CAU), Roberto Perez.
With his decades of experience and deep connections throughout New York City, Perez will support New York City’s Vaccine for All equity efforts in our hardest hit communities and help deepen the bonds of police and neighborhoods. Perez is returning to CAU where he served as a Deputy Commissioner at the beginning of the de Blasio Administration.
As CAU commissioner, Perez and his more than twenty staff distributed around the city are tasked with connecting city resources to community members, and helping to build a new city where the recovery is for all of its residents, and especially those living in the communities most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Perez is a native New Yorker and has lived in Queens for almost forty years.
BP Richards to Host Parent Advisory Board Meeting
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards will host a virtual meeting of the Queens Parent Advisory Board on Monday.
The agenda includes reviewing changes to the Gifted and Talented Program and the admissions process for middle and high schools.
Josh Wallack, Deputy Chancellor for Early Childhood Education and Student Enrollment at the New York City Department of Education (DOE), and Adrienne Austin, Deputy Chancellor for Community Empowerment, Partnerships, and Communications at the DOE, will be the guest speakers.
The meeting will be held virtually on Monday, February 8 at 6 p.m. A livestream of the meeting can be viewed at www.queensbp.org/education. Those who wish to participate in the meeting must RSVP by Sunday, February 7, at www.queensbp.org/rsvp. Parents can also submit topic-related questions in advance by emailing education@queensbp.org.
The Queens Borough Board meeting that would normally be held on Monday, February 8 will be held virtually on Monday, February 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Meng Calls for Ambassador to Combat Anti-Semitism
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, led a bipartisan letter urging President Joe Biden to swiftly nominate an Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism.
The position is responsible for developing policies and programs that seek to combat anti-Semitism across the globe. Last year, Congress elevated the title from a “Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism” to “Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism” position.
“Anti-Semitism is a scourge that must be rooted out wherever and whenever it arises,” said Meng. “It has reared its ugly head at home and abroad. From cities in Europe to the halls of Congress, Jewish communities have been terrorized by despicable acts of anti-Semitism and hate. Combating anti-Semitism abroad requires American leadership. President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are incredibly strong allies in the fight against anti-Semitism. Swiftly nominating a qualified individual to lead this effort will provide a strong partner for this work, reaffirm our nation’s commitment to combating anti-Semitism, and rebuild our role as a champion of religious freedom.”
Meng was joined by 52 other Members of Congress.
The position of Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism operates under the auspices of the State Department.
A copy of the correspondence can be viewed here.
