BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ HOSTS ANNUAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION

On Thursday, February 12, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted his Annual African-American Heritage Celebration, recognizing “A Century of African-American Life, Heritage and Culture.”

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson and Karen Washington, a community activist and urban farmer who encourages healthy eating, were honored by Borough President Diaz at the event.

“During this time we have to reflect on the past and how it has shaped us. History is made each day and it is because of the hard work, protesting, marching and speaking of injustice from leaders in the past, we are able to celebrate freedom of African-Americans,” said Borough President Diaz as he spoke to the community members and invited guests.

District Attorney Thompson spoke about his upbringing and memories of The Bronx. “My heritage is in the Bronx and in Co-op City, where my mother still lives. Back in 1973, we were one of the first black families to move into the area and it has helped shaped me to be who I am. I am grateful for all that I have been blessed to do because of the opportunity that started here in this borough,” District Attorney Thompson stated.

“I am excited and so happy to be here amongst everyone,” said Karen Washington as she accepted her award. “With our borough facing such a high rates of obesity, it is important that we educate and break down the race barriers and address a more holistic approach to eating garden vegetables.”

In addition, Jamaal Bailey was presented the inaugural Jonathan Hicks Memorial Award, named for the pioneering journalist, mentor and activist who passed away in 2014.

“There is a quote by Frederick Douglass that says, ‘If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress,’ and I truly believe that if we continue to struggle we will make progress,” stated Mr. Bailey as he accepted his award.

From left to right are - Jamaal Bailey, Borough President Diaz, Dr. Dena Robins, Bessie Jackson, Karen Washington and PIX11 co-anchor Kori Chambers, who emceed the event.

Above and Below - The Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music band played during the program. 

And the event was not with out the elected officials as former Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl Heastie who is now the new Assembly Speaker is with Parkchester Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.

Events From Senator Jeff Klein

SENATOR KLEIN HOSTS 20TH ANNUAL “VALENTINES FOR VETERANS”

State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), joined by Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez, Miss Teen USA K. Lee Graham and students from P.S. 83, today donated more than 200 Valentine’s Day Cards and gift bags to veterans at the 20th annual “Valentines for Veterans” celebration held at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center.

"For more than 20 years, I have proudly hosted 'Valentines for Vets’ as a way to honor  and support our local American heroes. This special event, coinciding with the National Salute to Veterans, is a way to give back to all those who have given us so much -- those who have fought for our freedom and our democracy," said Senator Klein. "Today, I salute our men and women in uniform and I thank everyone for coming out and showing their appreciation, including P.S. 83, the Bronx schools who prepared and donated gift bags, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.”

"The National Salute to Veteran Patients gives everyone a chance to let our veterans know just how very much they are appreciated. Our medical center’s 464 volunteers are an important part of our healthcare team and donate over 85,000 hours of their precious time to our veterans.  The National Salute program is a great way for people to learn more about helping the veterans we serve," said James J. Peters VA Medical Center Medical Director, Dr. Erik Langhoff.  

The event featured a performance by the P.S. 83 school choir, a special dedication to to our men and women in uniform and local veterans from the surrounding community. After the program, Senator Klein, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA and children from P.S. 83 distributed Valentine’s Day cards and gift bags prepared by more than 25 schools across the Bronx to residents. Donations items included stationery, pens and pencils, playing cards, stamps, handkerchiefs, soap and more.  

“Being involved in ‘Valentines for Vets’ during my year as Miss USA is an honor not only because I get to show my appreciation to the men and women that served our country, but also because I come from a military background,” said  Nia Sanchez, Miss USA 2014. “Both my Grandfather and Father served in the military and it was an extremely influential part of my upbringing.  What a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day!”

“Valentines for Veterans” is held during the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, a weeklong celebration commemorating the more than 98,000 men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Services and are now cared for by the Department of Veterans Affairs in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes across the U.S. The National Salute seeks to spread awareness and appreciation for veterans by encouraging citizens to visit hospitalized veterans in their communities.

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Special Recognition for Senator Klein in Establishing SUV Program in the Bronx

State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) was today honored for his outstanding commitment to and continued funding support for the Stand Up to Violence (SUV) Program at the 2015 North Bronx Healthcare Network Legislative Forum at Jacobi Medical Center.

“Three years ago, when I first introduced the SUV Program here in the Bronx, we were facing an epidemic of violence in our streets, our backyards and our communities,” said Senator Klein. “In just three short years, this program has made a significant impact on guns and gang violence and reduced the incidence of shootings by approximately 40% in targeted areas, including the 47th and 49th precincts. SUV’s aggressive and proven approach makes it clear to our young people that guns and gang violence do not need to be a way of life.”

The SUV Program is a unique, innovative violence prevention program which deploys “violence interrupters” to targeted high-crime areas across the Bronx. Interrupters work to identify and detect the presence of violence, and then interrupt and prevent future acts. Violence interrupters are hand-picked based on their ability to relate to high-risk youth, their background and connections to the local community. The SUV program is administered in partnership with Jacobi Medical Center and Fellowship Tabernacle Church.

"We are very grateful for Senator Klein's support of the 'Stand Up to Violence' Program.  Medical studies have shown that if someone comes into an Emergency Room with an intentionally inflicted traumatic wound, there's a 20% chance that within five years they will be dead,” said William P. Walsh, Senior VP of Jacobi Medical Center. “The SUV program allows us to look beyond those wounds and examine other needs the patient may have.  Furthermore, our workers are out in their 'Target Area' everyday educating and intervening with young people most at risk to lower the shooting rates and literally save lives before they cross our doors. Sen. Klein's funding makes this all  possible."

Philadelphia Here We Come For 2016 Democrat Convention

  Within two weeks of New York City announcing a host committee for the 2016 Democratic Convention Philadelphia has been chosen to be the host city of the 2016 Democratic convention. Mayor Bill deBlasio was proud to announce the city had raised 20 million dollars of the 100 million dollars that would be needed to host the 2016 Democratic convention. The city had spent 13.5 million dollars of the 20 million dollars as of January 31st 2015 to try to host the 2016 Democratic convention. Check the blog archive in January 2015 under the heading New York City Announces Host Committee dated January 31st. 

    I do hope that City Comptroller Scott Stringer has kept a tab on just how much money City and private that was spent on this dream of Mayor Mike deBlasio, Mayor Bill Bloomberg, or whatever our current mayor's name is.  

  In the January 15th Bronx News and Parkchester Newspapers my 100 PERCENT column was titled Columbus, Philadelphia, or Brooklyn. My prediction then was that the 2016 Democratic convention would be held in Philadelphia, and not New York, or Columbus. Below is a reprint of my January 15th 100 PERCENT column.

Columbus, Philadelphia or Brooklyn?

Just like the previous Mayor Michael Bloomberg banked most of his chips on getting the Olympics, our current Mayor Bill deBlasio is betting on getting the 2016 Democratic convention for Brooklyn. There are however two other cities that are in the running, and it looks like Brooklyn will come in second or third. My prediction as to where the 2016 Democratic convention will be held is in the city of Philadelphia. Why would I say Philadelphia and not Brooklyn? I hear almost nothing from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and everything from the deBlasio administration. Yes there is a new arena in Brooklyn to hold the convention, but why hold it in a state that will vote Democratic no matter what. If I were on the search committee I would look for a swing state city such as Philadelphia, which is close enough to New York City.

Columbus is also a swing state, but I believe even if the Democratic convention were to be held there it would not matter, and by not having it in Philadelphia the state of Pennsylvania would wind up a Republican state. So Mayor Bill deBloomberg don't waste any more city money or time on this dream.  .

THE BRONX INVITES THE POPE TO YANKEE STADIUM FOR MASS

 New York City Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz, Jr., New York City Comptroller, Scott Stringer, Congressman Jose E. Serrano and New York City Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson are publicly inviting Pope Francis to Yankee Stadium. In a full-page newspaper ad the officials are asking The Pontiff to conduct a mass at the new Stadium when he visits NYC in September. The last papal mass at Yankee Stadium was led by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008 at the old Stadium. 

“We have a new Pope, a new Stadium and a new hope for The Bronx and our city,” said Speaker Mark-Viverito.

“This is the 50th anniversary of the first-ever, papal visit to the United States,” Borough President Diaz said. “We are inviting Pope Francis to celebrate that historic event here, this fall,” 

“It would be an honor to host the first Latin American Pope in the only New York district with a Latino majority,” said Congressman Serrano. 

“Papal visits to the Stadium are a great city tradition which we want to continue,” said Comptroller Stringer.

 “The whole district is excited,” said the BID’s executive director, Dr. Cary Goodman. “This community has hosted global leaders like Nelson Mandela, Rev. Billy Graham and three Popes,” Councilwoman Gibson noted. “We’d love to host Pope Francis, too.”  

The Pope’s New York itinerary has not yet been finalized.

AN INVITATION TO POPE FRANCIS

As New Yorkers, we are honored and delighted that you will be visiting our great city next September. 

Your appearance before the world’s Presidents, Prime Ministers and Premiers will be a highlight of the UN’s General Assembly.

We, the undersigned, invite you to conduct a public mass at Yankee Stadium while you are here.

Your address to The Bronx’s families, friends and faithful will commemorate a fifty year tradition

A mass at Yankee Stadium will help lift the spirits of our citizens and offer a vision of hope.begun by Pope Paul VI, followed by John Paul II and last done by Benedict XVI.

Yankee Stadium is the Bronx’s great cathedral, and the largest stadium in our city, a global icon befitting your ministry

Please accept our invitation in the name of a world of peace and justice.

Respectfully,

NYC City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, U.S. Congressman Jose E. Serrano,  NYC Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, and 161st Street BID Dr. Cary Goodman

A STRONG 2014 FOR NEW YORK CITY TEMPERED BY SLOWER ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE FOURTH QUARTER

  Unemployment Fell to Lowest Rate in Six Years

   New York City's economy continued its solid growth in 2014, outpacing the nation on many fronts despite a slowdown in the fourth quarter, according to the NYC Quarterly Economic Update released today by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer.

"While our economy lost momentum late in the year, most indicators are trending in the right direction for New York City," Comptroller Stringer said. "Job growth has been robust, unemployment is down and personal income tax revenues are at the highest level on record.  In 2015, we expect to see continued progress in restoring all of the City's communities to economic health."

2014 was one of the best job-producing years for New York City on record, with 88,900 (2.6 percent) private-sector jobs added, but in the fourth quarter, those jobs dropped slightly on a seasonally adjusted basis. Real Gross City Product (GCP), a measure of the City's total economic output, grew at an estimated 2.8 percent annual rate in 4Q14, a healthy but still weaker pace than the 4.2 percent registered in the previous quarter. Consumer spending, powered by rising employment and lower gasoline and heating prices, continued to drive economic growth.

Despite this data, bright spots remained in the City's fourth quarter performance:

• New York City's unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) fell to 6.3 percent in 4Q14, the lowest quarterly average rate in over six years. The New York City and the U.S. unemployment rates averaged 7.3 and 6.2 percent respectively, in 2014. Both rates were the lowest since 2008. 
• New York City personal income tax revenues rose 10.8 percent, on a year-over-year basis, to over $2.3 billion in 4Q14, the highest fourth-quarter level on record. This reflects the city's employment growth and possibly some redemptions of previously-awarded restricted stock bonuses. It may also indicate improving wage rates and salaries, which have been stagnant through much of the recovery.
• Venture capital investment in the New York metro area was about $1.2 billion in 4Q14, the same as last year's fourth quarter, but below the $1.7 billion in 3Q14 (Chart 2). Nonetheless, total venture capital investment in 2014 surpassed $5 billion, which was about 59 percent higher than the $3.2 billion in 2013. 
• New leasing activity of Manhattan office space in 4Q14 totaled almost 8.4 million square feet (msf), over 16 percent higher than 4Q13 and the best fourth quarter since 2004. As a result, year-to-date leasing activity was about 32.8 msf, about 28 percent higher than 2013 and the highest level since 1998.
• Hotel occupancy rates remain above 90 percent, with initial data suggesting that 4Q14 could see the highest fourth-quarter rates in the city's history.  The average daily hotel room cost $336 in October-November of 2014, up from $334 in the same period of 2013. 

"The economic recovery continued to build in 2014 for New York City; a slower final quarter should be viewed in that context," Stringer said. "As we head into 2015, we will continue to watch whether some of the wage gains we saw this past year will raise the paychecks of working New Yorkers."

To view the full report, please click here. 

Statement from Assemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda Congratulating Fiordaliza Rodriguez. on her nomination to Bronx Family Court by Mayor Bill De Blasio.

  “It is with great pride that I congratulate Fiordaliza A. Rodriguez for being nominated to a 10 year appointment to the Bronx Family Court by Mayor de Blasio. Over the years I have gotten to know Ms. Rodriguez very well through her community involvement in the Bronx and I believe she would be a proficient Judge in Bronx Family Court.

Ms. Rodriguez began her legal career as a Special Corporation Counsel representing the Administration for Children’s Services in child abuse and neglect cases. Following this, she went into private practice as a solo practitioner and as a member of the 18-b Assigned Counsel Plan representing indigent litigants in custody, visitation, orders of protection and all types of Family Court cases. Ms. Rodriguez is currently a Court Attorney Referee and has over 16 Â1⁄2 years of experience in Family Court. She has decided over 4,500 cases in her 41⁄2 years as a Referee.

Ms. Rodriguez also remains very active in her community having been past President and Vice-President of the Dominican Bar Association, and a member of various organizations including the Puerto Rican Bar Association, the New York Womens Bar Association, the Network of Bar Leaders, among others. She has even been named the Bronx YMCA’s Volunteer of the Year .

Ms. Rodriguez currently lives in the Bronx with her husband, Eliezer, a lawyer and Association Executive Officer of the Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors (BMNAR) with their two children Miguel and Cristian.

I have no doubt that the Court system will be able to benefit greatly from the well-rounded experience of the Honorable Fiordaliza A. Rodriguez and I wish her luck in her candidacy for appointment to the Bronx Family Court.”

WILLIAMS' STATEMENT ON INDICTMENT OF NYPD OFFICER LIANG

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER 

JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS 

Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, Deputy Leader and co-chair of the Council's Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, released the following statement after New York Police Department (NYPD) rookie officer Peter Liang has been indicted in the shooting death of Akai Gurley, 28, in East New York.

STATEMENT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS

"First and foremost, my continued prayers for comfort and healing go out to Akai Gurley's family and friends, including those who witnessed this tragedy unfold. I applaud Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson and the grand jury for indicting Officer Liang, but feel conflicted that such praise should be made since it was clear that an unarmed, innocent life was lost. In a case like this, an indictment should be the norm, not the exception. No matter what ones profession may be, all Americans must be held accountable for killing an innocent person, even if the person who is held accountable is an officer of the law-- even if it was unintentional. 

"I still, however, I question why the rookie officer was assigned to patrol the 'high crime' area with another rookie officer.  A 'dimly lit' staircase leading to an 'accident' exemplifies all that is wrong with our public safety system: a systemic problem within the department's culture, poor police-community relations in Black and Brown neighborhoods and an overly zealous ethos for excessive force. These are things we must continue to question and discuss as we move forward. We must also remember that this is simply an indictment and does not guarantee that accountability will prevail. It is my hope that our Administration immediately implements real and clear policy changes to improve how NYPD operates on the ground."

Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn), Deputy Leader, represents the 45th Council District, which covers Flatbush, East Flatbush, Flatlands, and parts of Midwood. He is the chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings, and co-chair of the Task Force to Combat Gun Violence. He is a co-founding member of the Progressive Caucus, and a member of the Black, Latino & Asian Caucus. He was first elected to office in 2009 and re-elected in 2013.

Senator Klein and the IDC Have Seen the Light!

What You Should Know 
By State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 
32nd Senatorial District 

  You should know that on February 10, 2015 the Albany Times Union's Capitol Confidential reporter Matthew Hamilton published an article titled "IDC proposes banning outside incomes for legislators." In this article, Mr. Hamilton reports on a plan released by IDC Leader Senator Jeff Klein on behalf of the IDC (Independent Democratic Conference) that: "would not permit any state lawmaker to earn outside income."

After reading this IDC proposal for ethics reform, I have no other words than: Surprise, surprise!  For six consecutive years, I have sponsored Senate Bill S.111 (the previous bill numbers were S.384-A, S.284-A and S.3149) which "Prohibits a member of the legislature from engaging in any outside paid activity during his or her term of office."

My dear reader, in 2009 I saw the light and I called upon Governor Andrew Cuomo - who ran his campaign on the promise that he would clean up Albany - to attack the problem once and for all by banning legislators from engaging in outside paid activity during their term of office.

In a January 7, 2011 Legislative Gazette article titled "Sen. Diaz: No outside income for lawmakers" Simon Garron Caine documented my effort: "I realize that several proposals have been discussed to require legislators to report outside income. However, by allowing legislators to continue to receive outside income, there is no doubt in my mind that the problems, of which we are all aware, will not be resolved," said Diaz.

You should know that neither Senator Jeff Klein nor any member of his IDC have ever supported nor co-sponsored my bill. When I called upon my colleagues in the State Senate to co-sponsor my piece of legislation, only a very few ever did (former Senator Eric Schneiderman and Senator Adriano Espaillat, to be exact) - until last week when Senators Adriano Espaillat (for the third time) and George Latimer both jumped on board and asked to co-sponsor it.

This week, I am so glad that Senator Jeff Klein and his IDC Members have finally seen the light and are going to embrace something very important that I started several years ago. I can see no reason why Senator Klein and his IDC Members wouldn't be anything except eager to co-sponsor S.111.

Ladies and gentlemen, I look forward to hearing from Senator Jeff Klein and each IDC Member to hear from them that they would like to co-sponsor my piece of legislation.

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.