What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Hispanic Legislators: Put Up or Shut Up

  You should know that since the last presidential election, the Hispanic vote proved to be crucial throughout the nation, with the Democratic Party being its biggest beneficiary.

Here in New York State, especially in the City of New York, the Hispanic population is growing at such a dynamic pace that any candidates for any public office, let it be City Council, Borough President, Member of the Assembly, Senator, Member of Congress, Mayor, and Governor cannot ignore this fact. I am not afraid to say that without the Hispanic vote, it will almost be impossible for any Governor to win in this state.  However, with all that influence, we are always being taken for granted.  People use our pain and suffering just to promote their agendas and to get our sympathy – and then later play dumb with us.

You should know that in the next few weeks, the Budget for New York State will come before us in Albany for a vote of approval. You should also know there are all kinds of politicians, including many Hispanic leaders and elected officials promoting the Dream Act legislation. Many of them are sending press releases on a daily basis telling the whole world how much they love and care for our immigrant population.  In their press releases, they ask Governor Andrew Cuomo to help our immigrant students and to include the Dream Act legislation in this year’s Budget.

What you dear readers should know is that our “distinguished” elected officials know very well that the Governor will not, and I repeat, WILL NOT include the Dream Act in his Budget.  With their press releases and public posturing these “distinguished” elected officials are trying to show that they support the immigrants, and that they want the Dream Act now.  But, you should know that sometimes and somehow I get the impression that they are just putting on a show with no action to back it up.

You should know that there are six Hispanic Senators in the Senate, and close to fifteen Hispanic Members of the Assembly.  If they really want to fight for the Dream Act and if they honestly want it to be part of the Budget, then let all of the Hispanic legislators – let all of us in the Senate and in the Assembly – come together and take a vote that we will not vote for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget – none of it – not one single part of it – unless it includes the Dream Act. Let the Governor pass the Budget without the Hispanic vote, and let us show our repudiation of him and his Budget plan of ignoring the immigrants.

Now that we are preparing of the yearly event “Somos el Futuro,” let’s once and for all show our community that we really ARE the future.  Let’s show our community that Governor Andrew Cuomo or anybody else cannot continue playing the game of ignoring us – and then invite us to his mansion and with a breakfast or a dinner, think that he can buy our commitment and forsake our responsibility to our community.  Otherwise we will just continue to be not the “Future”, but instead “Somos the puppets.”

Here in Albany, our votes are the only things that we really have to protect, to fight and to defend our community.  Voting for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget without the Dream Act being included, will only be just another act of hypocrisy.

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

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Irish Heritage Luncheon

   Over 100 people were on hand for the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Irish Heritage Luncheon held at the F & J Pines. BCC President Mr. Lenny Caro introduced his newly elected Board of Directors and the officers of the BCC, and then the program began. Tenor Chris Macchio belted out the national anthem (and later Danny Boy). Father Richard Gorman Chairman of Community Board 12 then gave the invocation. after a few speeches the award presentation began.

  Ms. Sandra Erickson (of Community Board # 7) presented the first honoree Ms. Virginia Gallagher her award. Former Councilwoman June Eisland presented Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter with her award. BCC Chairman Joseph Kelleher presented the next three awards to Congressman Joseph Crowley, 80th A.D. State Committeeman Joseph McManus, and Mr. Larry Hickey Senior V.P. of Fresh Direct. NYC Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano presented Bronx Borough Commander Kevin Butler his award. BCC President Lenny Caro presented the last three awards to Kevin McCabe (News 12 anchor), Commissioner Robert Walsh (of the NYC SBA), and James E. McQuade (owner Schuyler Hill). 

   Traditional corned beef and cabbage was served for lunch with a few F & J Pines specialties added.

Left - Tenor Chris Macchio sings the national anthem.

Right - He belts out "Danny Boy".

Left - The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Eagle given to each honoree.

Right - The Fire Department was well represented as seen in this photo.

Left - Father Gorman (far right) is giving the invocation.

Right - The honorees as they sit with their BCC eagle awards in front of them.

The honorees (holding their awards) along with BCC President Lenny Caro pose for this photo.

What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Midnight Bus Vigil to Washington, DC

  You should know that on Monday, March 25, 2013 at 12:00 midnight, the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization will hold an all-night vigil on buses bound to Washington, D.C., to join the National Organization for Marriage who is organizing a demonstration on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 9:00 AM in front of the United States Supreme Court.

It is important for you to know that the United States Supreme Court will convene that day (Tuesday, March 26, 2013) to address and discuss the future of marriage in our nation. The Supreme Court of the Nation can decide whether marriage should be between a man and a woman or whether to re-define it to include men with men and women with women.

This is a topic of great importance for the entire nation - and for every single Christian, Jew, Muslim, Catholic and people of faith. It is for this reason that I am inviting you to join and participate in this vigil to Washington D.C.  Once we arrive in Washington D.C., we will join people traveling from all over this nation - including Puerto Rico - to bear witness in favor of traditional marriage to remain between a man and a woman.

You should know that the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has always been in the forefront, throughout the nation, in the struggle to stop same sex marriage. It is also a fact that for many years, NOM has been raising funds, and coordinating every march and demonstration in the state of New York and everywhere else.

You should remember that when Governor Andrew Cuomo used his office and staff to raise money and to orchestrate the passing of gay marriage in the State, it was the National Organization for Marriage among others, who took the fight on their shoulders. With their help, we organized different rallies and demonstrations where thousands of people came together, in front of Governor Cuomo’s office in Manhattan, On the steps of the Supreme court of Bronx County and in many other places.

Now, One more time, NOM is giving us the opportunity to join people from all over the nation, in what could be our last opportunity to deal with same sex marriage once and for all. Due to the fact, and you should know, that with the ruling of the United States Supreme Court, same sex marriage will be legal or illegal in every state in the nation, including Puerto Rico and any other colony of the United States.

That is why, we should all be in front of the United States Supreme Court on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 9:00AM.

If you want and can fill a bus of 50 passengers, You should call The National Organization for Marriage at (888) 894-3604, who will provide it in front of your church, organization, civic or community group.
Here is our schedule of activities for Tuesday, March 26 in Washington, DC:

8:30AM: Gather at National Mall location between 10th Street and 12th Street NW and between Madison Drive NW and Jefferson Drive SW
9:30AM: March to the Supreme Court and then return to the National Mall location
11:00AM: Rally begins at National Mall location (live music, speakers and more)
1:00PM: March for Marriage concludes, return to buses to travel back to New York

I am Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.

BP Diaz, Bronx Chamber, MTA to host Metro-North Info Session Today 5:30 PM

“Informational Session on Proposed Metro-North Service to Penn Station”

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with The Bronx Borough President's Office and MTA Metro-North Railroad will hold an information session regarding a proposal to introduce railroad service in the east Bronx along Amtrak's right-of-way.  On Monday, March 11^th at 5:30pm, a seminar will provide Bronx residents with an update on Metro-North's ongoing Penn Station Access environmental assessment, including concepts for four proposed stations that would serve Morris Park, Co-op City, Hunts Point and Parkchester and provide connections to Penn Station, Westchester & Connecticut. We encourage you to attend to hear about reduced travel time and the new rail stations.

   Who:  Bronx Chamber of Commerce

   When: Monday March 11, 5:30 PM

   Where: The Hutchinson Metro Center, Conference Room 

                 1200 Waters Place, 1st Floor Bronx N.Y.10461

  What: Informational Session on Proposed Metro-North Service to Penn Station  

        

Women's History Month 2013

 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Presents

Notable Women of the United States  Lucritia Mott  1793-1880  Elizabeth Cady Stanton    1815-1902  Susan B. Anthony 1820-1906  Originators of the women's movement in the United States. Elizabeth Blackwell 1821 - 1910   First woman to receive a medical degree in the U.S.  Maggie Lena Walker 1867 - 1934  First African American woman to be Founder and President, St. Luke's Penny Savings Bank, Richmond V.A. Amelia Earhart (1897 - 1937?) First woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean Mary Anderson 1866-1953 Invented a car-window cleaning device in 1903. Sally Ride 1951- 2012 First American Woman in Space Michelle Obama 1964 - First African-American First Lady of the United States 2009

Women's History Month Celebrating   "Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination" Hosted by  Hilda Diaz, First Lady of the Bronx Tuesday, March 19, 2013  Tosca Cafe 4038 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Sponsored by   Seating Limited RSVP Required.  To confirm your attendance call 718-590-3522 or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov

Van Cortlandt Senior Center Newlsetter

VAN CORTLANDT NEIGHBORHOOD SENIOR CENTER -  3880 SEDGWICK AVENUE  - BRONX, N.Y. 10463 – (718) 549-4700

                                                                                    

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
*	*		*	MARCH  1 10:00 TONE & STRETCH W/LIDIA 11:00 INDOOR GARDENING W/VICTOR 11:45 CAMP FREEDMAN PRESENTATION
MARCH 4 10:00 PAINTING 10:30 SENIOR FITNESS W/DORIANA 12:15 ART SALON 1:00 NARRATIVE PORTRAIT W/MICHAEL FERRIS JR.	MARCH 5 10:15 MOVEMENT W/CAROLINE 10:30 EMPIRE CITY CASINO 1: 15 MEDITATION & RELAXATION W/CLARA FERRER	MARCH 6 10:00 GENTLE EXERCISE W/LIDIA 1:00 SHORT STORIES 2:00 CURRENTS EVENTS W/DR. HELLER	MARCH 7 10:00 YOGA W/GERTRUD 10:30 KNITTING W/PHYLLIS -LIONYARN BRAND 11:00 FOLK SING ALONG 1:00 BINGO	MARCH 8 10:00 TONE & STRETCH W/LIDIA 11:00 HOT TOPICS W/LUCY & NEAL 11:00 MOVIES AT CROSS COUNTY TRIP
MARCH 11 10:00 PAINTING 10:30 SENIOR FITNESS W/DORIANA 1:00 NARRATIVE PORTRAIT W/MICHAEL FERRIS JR.	MARCH 12 10:15 MOVEMENT W/CAROLINE 11:00 CONVERSATIONAL YIDDISH W/SARAH 1: 15 MEDITATION & RELAXATION W/CLARA FERRER	MARCH 13 10:00 EXERCISE VIDEO 1:00 VIVA  VERDI W/I. JAQUELINE BALLARIN, SOPRANO & ALLEGRO SINGERS	MARCH 14 10:00 EXERCISE VIDEO 10:30 KNITTING W/PHYLLIS 11:15  DOT – PEDESTRIAN SAFETY WORKSHOP  1:00 BINGO	MARCH15 10:00 TONE & STRETCH W/LIDIA 9:30 IKEA TRIP 1:00 ART HISTORY W/LUCY
MARCH 18 110:00 PAINTING 10:30 SENIOR FITNESS W/DORIANA 10:30 STEW LEONARDS TRIP 1:00 NARRATIVE PORTRAIT W/MICHAEL FERRIS JR.	MARCH 19 11:00 AM. – 12:30 P.M. BRONX MODEL SEDER 1:15 KLEZMER- ENTERTAINMENT BY:   DOUG LEBLANG	MARCH 20 10:00 GENTLE EXERCISE W/LIDIA 1:00 SHORT STORIES 2:00 CURRENTS EVENTS W/DR. HELLER	MARCH 21 10:00 YOGA W/GERTRUD 10:30 KNITTING W/PHYLLIS 11:15 DOT SAFE STREETS FOR SENIOR PROGRAM, “THE FIRST STEP”, PLAY  1:00 BINGO	MARCH22 10:00 TONE & STRETCH /LIDIA 11:00 HOT TOPICS W/LUCY & NEAL
MARCH 25 10:00 EXERCISE VIDEO 10:00 PAINTING	MARCH 26 PASSOVER 1ST DAY	MARCH 27 PASSOVER 2ND DAY	MARCH 28 10:00 EXERCISE VIDEO 10;30 KNITTING W/ PHYLLIS 11:15 DOT – WORKABILITY SURVEY	MARCH29 10:00 TONE & STRETCH W/LIDIA

NYC COMPTROLLER LIU, PENSION FUNDS TO VOTE AGAINST HEWLETT-PACKARD DIRECTORS

Board Members Failed to Safeguard Investors from Company’s Costly Missteps

   City Comptroller John C. Liu today announced that the New York City Pension Funds will vote against two Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) directors because of their failure to protect investors from costly, misguided acquisitions. The vote will take place at the company’s annual shareowner meeting on March 20, 2013. 

The directors, John H. Hammergren and G. Kennedy Thompson, are members of the board’s Finance and Investment Committee, which bears primary responsibility for oversight failures that led to HP’s disastrous 2011 acquisition of Autonomy Plc. As the two longest-serving directors, they also bear responsibility for approving HP’s ill-advised acquisitions of EDS and Palm, and for the board’s hasty decision to hire Leo Apotheker, whose short-lived tenure as CEO ended shortly after the Autonomy acquisition that he engineered. 

“The Autonomy debacle is the latest and most expensive in a series of ill-advised acquisitions and boardroom fiascos that have destroyed tens of billions of dollars in shareowner value,” Comptroller Liu said.  “While the board now appears to be taking steps to improve oversight, it will be unable to restore investor confidence without swiftly replacing these two directors.”

HP, which paid $11 billion for Autonomy in 2011, wrote off $8.8 billion of its investment in 2012. HP has attributed $5 billion of the write-off to improper accounting at Autonomy that inflated its pre-acquisition revenues and earnings.  HP took additional impairment charges of $9 billion in 2012 in connection with EDS and nearly $1 billion in 2011 that related to Palm.

In approving the Autonomy acquisition, the board and its Finance and Investment Committee ignored the opposition of the company’s own CFO, who believed it cost too much. The Committee also failed to challenge management’s decision to have those responsible for the acquisition’s due diligence report to the strategy group, rather than to the CFO, as is considered best practice. The board also reportedly assumed more revenue growth as a result of the combination than it normally assumes in acquisitions.

HP’s shares are down 61 percent from their 2010 peak.  The company, whose performance is in the bottom quartile of its peers over the past three and five years, was among the worst performers of the S&P 500 in 2012. 

New York City Comptroller John C. Liu serves as the investment advisor to, custodian, and trustee of the New York City Pension Funds. The New York City Pension Funds are composed of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System, Teachers’ Retirement System, New York City Police Pension Fund, New York City Fire Department Pension Fund, and the Board of Education Retirement System. The New York City Pension Funds hold a combined 5,544,018 total shares in Hewlett-Packard for a combined asset value of $115,592,775.30 as of 3/7/2013.

 

In addition to Comptroller Liu, the New York City Pension Funds’ trustees are:

 

New York City Employees’ Retirement System: Janice Emery, Mayor’s Representative (Chair); New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio; Borough Presidents: Scott Stringer (Manhattan), Helen Marshall (Queens), Marty Markowitz (Brooklyn), James Molinaro (Staten Island), and Ruben Diaz, Jr. (Bronx); Lillian Roberts, Executive Director, District Council 37, AFSCME; John Samuelsen, President Transport Workers Union Local 100; Gregory Floyd, President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 237.

 

Teachers’ Retirement System: Janice Emery, Mayor’s Representative; Deputy Chancellor Kathleen Grimm, New York City Department of Education; and Sandra March, Melvyn Aaronson (Chair) and Mona Romain, all of the United Federation of Teachers.

 

New York City Police Pension Fund: Janice Emery, Mayor’s Representative; New York City Finance Commissioner David Frankel; New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly (Chair); Patrick Lynch, Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association; Michael Palladino, Detectives Endowment Association; Edward D. Mullins, Sergeants Benevolent Association; Louis Turco, Lieutenants Benevolent Association; and, Roy T. Richter, Captains Endowment Association.

 

New York City Fire Department Pension Fund: Janice Emery, Mayor’s Representative; New York City Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano (Chair); New York City Finance Commissioner David Frankel; Stephen Cassidy, President, James Slevin, Vice President, Robert Straub, Treasurer, and John Kelly, Brooklyn Representative and Chair, Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York; John Dunne, Captains’ Rep.; James Lemonda, Chiefs’ Rep., and James J. McGowan, Lieutenants’ Rep., Uniformed Fire Officers Association; and, Sean O’Connor, Marine Engineers Association.

 

Board of Education Retirement System:  Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott; Mayoral: Joseph Lewis, Jeanette Moy, Ian Shapiro, Tino Hernandez, Judy Bergtraum, Allison Rogovin, and Milton Williams; Patrick Sullivan (Manhattan BP), Kelvin Diamond (Brooklyn BP), Dmytro Fedkowskyj (Queens BP), Robert Powell (Bronx BP) and Diane Peruggia (Staten Island BP); and employee members Joseph D’Amico of the IUOE Local 891 and Milagros Rodriguez of District Council 37, Local 372.

Albert Alvarez Fund Raiser 15th Council District

   The Albert Alvarez for City Council campaign got a big shot in the arm last night as over 200 people (mostly from the 15th council district) came out to support Mr. Alvarez in his bid for current term limited (and his boss) Councilman Joel Rivera's council seat. Albert has been the chief of staff for Councilman Joel Rivera since he was elected was the story told by Community Board 6 District Manager Ivine Galarza, and repeated by Councilman Rivera. Rivera went on to say that he and Albert Alvarez have walked the district, talked to the people, found out the problems, and worked together to solve those problems. 

   When candidate Alvarez started to speak it was a different person you saw. The mild mannered Chief of Staff first spoke in his native language (Spanish), and repeated what he had said in English mentioning that it was his sister who pushed him to learn English also. Candidate Alvarez thanked god and his parents, and then said no matter where you come from "the campaign begins tonight". "I am not going to be pushed around, I am from the neighborhood not a person who just moved into the 15th district, I have lived in the district for over 40 years, I don't need to prove what I am going to do because we need continually in the district, and I have been working to improve our community" he said. Candidate Alvarez thanked those who came out to support him, he thanked Councilman Rivera and CB 6 District Manager Ivine Galarza for their support, and all the others who have and will volunteer on his campaign. 

   A women of Distinction presentation was given by Candidate Alvarez to nine women (pictured below) who all thanked candidate Alvarez for the honor, and pledged their support to his campaign 100 percent or more. You can enlarge a photo by clicking on it.    

 

Left - CB 6 DM Ivine Galarza introduces Councilman Joel Rivera.

Right - Councilman Rivera tells the story of the hard work and dedication of his chief of staff Albert Alvarez.

Left - Candidate Alvarez speaks to the crowd.

Right - Candidate Alvarez with the nine Women of Distinction honored. From left to right - Wilma Alonso, Annette DeJesus, Ivine Galarza, Sara Logan, candidate Alvarez, Nerida Medina, Yolanda Negron, Rosemary Ordonez-Jenkins, Zola Pena, and Fiordaliza Rodriguez.

 

 Left - Many of the crowd present gets together for a group photo. In the front are Councilman Joel Rivera, Albert Alvarez, and Albert's Parents. 

Right - The party began with the "Albert Shuffle", as Albert Alvarez dances with Ivine Galarza and some of the other women present.