What You Should Know

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

Two Heroes From Our Community


You should know that out of so many Black and Hispanic elected officials in the New York State Legislature, this year, only two of them had the guts to show their complete dissatisfaction with Governor Andrew Cuomo by voting to reject every single part of the Governor’s Budget.

State Senators Adriano Espaillat and Kevin Parker were the only two minority legislators who dared to vote against the Governor’s Budget.  They voted NO!  because the Governor’s Budget did not include the DREAM Act and other positive initiatives we truly need to help our community.

It was very disappointing to see and hear the two main sponsors of the DREAM Act trying to explain the reasons why they voted for every part of the Budget.  It is equally disturbing to observe how all of the legislators are trying to pin the blame on the Republicans – when we all know very well that it was the Governor who refused to include it as part of his Budget.

Senator José Peralta, the Senate sponsor of the DREAM Act, and Assembly Member Francisco Moya, the DREAM Act’s Assembly sponsor, are two people who have been pushing and pushing for the inclusion of the New York version of the DREAM Act for many years – but they lacked the courage to challenge the Governor and vote NO! for every single piece of the Governor’s Budget did not include it.

They seem to follow that double-standard example set by El Diario la Prensa and its CEO Rossana Rosado who publicly defended and supported the DREAM Act, and then went to the Governor’s mansion to eat his food, drink his wine – and then tried to put the blame on the Republicans.  (They actually try to claim in their newspaper that the DREAM Act did not pass because of Republican opposition!)

Unfortunately, this technique of doing nothing for the community that you represent, and later blaming the Republicans has become the modus operandi of many of our elected officials.  This has become a way of laughing in our faces and taking our community for granted.  They just do their personal wheeling and dealing with the Governor and do nothing on behalf of our community – and then pin the blame on the Republicans.

You should know that it was Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget – NOT the Republican’s.  The DREAM Act was not included in the Budget it was because the Governor refused to include it, just like he did last year.  To put the blame on the Republicans is a farce, a joke, and an insult to the intelligence of our community.

Senator Adriano Espaillat appears to have learned from last year’s lesson when the Governor told him that he will deal with the DREAM Act at a later date - to no avail.  That is the same thing Governor Cuomo is now telling Senator Peralta and Assembly Member Moya.  Ladies and gentlemen, I hope that the Governor won’t make fools of them.

The DREAM Act is what Senator Espaillat calls the most important issue for our community: “This is our gay marriage, this is our gun control.”

My advice to Senator Peralta and Assembly Member Moya, is that I have seen this movie before, and it’s too bad they couldn’t find the courage to follow our two heroes, Senators Adriano Espaillat and Senator Kevin Parker.

My Two Cents on Senator Malcolm Smith’s Situation

After learning about the difficult and embarrassing situation for which my senate colleague, Malcolm Smith is going through and after so many calls from members of the media asking for my comments I am herewith expressing my two cents.

Those who know me, should know that I don’t kick people when they are down, I pray for them as I will be praying for Senator Malcolm Smith and his family and I extend my hand to help them get up as I did with Senators Pedro Espada, Hiram Monserrate, Carl Kruger and others. That is my calling. That is my responsibility and that is what God expects me to do.

We all know that Senator Malcolm Smith is entitled and will have his day in court and the opportunity to prove his innocence if it so. In the meantime, let’s keep praying for him and his family and wait for the outcome.

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

 

 

Rep. Charles B. Rangel Hosts: Business and Innovation Conference

 

Senator Gustavo Rivera Seeks Nominees for Veteran's Hall of Fame Honor

Senator Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx) invites local residents of the 33rd  State Senate district to nominate veterans from their community whose service on behalf of our nation and our community designates them as a possible inductee to the New York State Veteran's Hall of Fame.

 

The New York State Senate Veteran's Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize outstanding veterans who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life. Their service to our nation deserves the special recognition that only a Hall of Fame can provide, as a fitting expression of our gratitude and admiration.  

"The Senate Veteran's Hall of Fame gives us the opportunity to not only pay tribute to all of those who serve, but also to recognize an individual whose sacrifice and service has helped make our nation and our community a better place to live," said Senator Gustavo Rivera.

The Senate will honor distinguished veterans throughout our state at a ceremony in Albany on May 21, 2013. Each honoree's photograph and biography will become part of a special on-line exhibit proclaiming the contributions of these exemplary New York veterans.

Last year, Senator Rivera inducted Latanga Blair into the Senate Veteran's Hall of Fame. Ms. Blair is a veteran who serves as a Veterans Affairs Volunteer at the James A. Peters Bronx VA Medical Center . Her efforts at the VA focus on informing female veterans of assistance and benefit programs they are entitled to receive.

Deadline for submissions is April 14, 2013. For nomination forms, please visit http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/gustavo-rivera/content/press_release  or call 718-933-2034 .

  

 

Stars of Russian Ballet at Lehman Center

Legendary Moments from Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Don Quixote and more by
Stars of the Russian Ballet
AT LEHMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 4pm

"Think of it as a sort of ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ but with an international flavor and focusing on a particularly timeless style of dance.” — The Las Vegas Review-Journal

      Lehman Center for the Performing Arts has built a reputation for being a house for international dance and proudly present Stars of the Russian Ballet, a company of dancers performing a program of “best of” dance pieces from Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Don Quixote, Le Corsaire and other fan favorites and highlights from some of the world's greatest ballets. The company performs on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 4pm at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY.

Stars of the Russian Ballet brings a greatest hits of solos, pas de deux and ensemble pieces danced to the classical music of Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Saint-Saens. From the Rose Adagio from The Sleeping Beauty, to the adagio from the third act of Cinderella and a pas de deux from Romeo and Juliet, ballet master Alexander Daev said in the Las Vegas Journal-Review that what makes these works so endearing and enduring is “because they are human, romantic stories about love, loss and eternal themes. The ballets' themes also are universal and resonate with audiences regardless of language, nationality, culture or, even, the times. It also helps that the pieces' choreography and music are so beautiful, everybody gets it."

The legendary Sergei Radchenko, former soloist with the Bolshoi Ballet and artistic director and co-founder of Moscow Festival Ballet, leads this 30-member, Moscow-based company of dancers who have been garnering rave reviews across the country and the world.  Radchenko graduated from the Moscow School of Dance in 1964 and then joined the Bolshoi Ballet, where he worked for 25 years. He danced the entire repertoire at the Bolshoi, but enjoyed a special reputation for Spanish dance. He has achieved a remarkable feat in the establishment and development of young, great Russian ballet dancers.

Special ticket price for children 12 and under, $10 any seat

Stars of the Russian Ballet performs on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 4pm at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts located at 250 Bedford Park Blvd. W. on the campus of Lehman College in the Bronx.  Tickets cost $40, $35 and $25, and for children 12 and under, $10 any seat.  Tickets can be purchased through 24 hour online access at www.LehmanCenter.org or by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 open Monday & Wednesday-Friday 10am-5pm (closed on Tuesdays) and beginning at 12 noon on the day of the concert.  Lehman Center is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd., and is right off several major highways, including the Henry Hudson Parkway, the Saw Mill River Parkway and Major Deegan Expressway.  Low-cost on-site parking available for $5.

 

Arrests in Scheme to Fix Republican Nomination for Mayor

    In a six count indictment released by the United States Attorney, State Senator Malcolm Smith, Queens Councilman Dan Halloran, Bronx County Republican Leader Jay Savino, and Queens county Republican Vice-Chair Vincent Tabone were arrested this morning for attempting to fix the Republican candidate choice in the upcoming mayors race in New York City by defrauding the public. Also as part of the indictment the mayor and deputy mayor of Spring Valley were arrested for their part in a scheme with Senator Smith to defraud New York State on a contract Smith was to have approved with the officials for a Spring Valley road.

    Starting from about November 2012 the complaint states that Smith, Hallogan, Savino, and Tabone (together with others known and unknown) willfully and knowingly did combine, conspire, confederate, and agree together with each other to commit offenses against the United States, to wit, wire fraud and bribery in violation of Title 18, United States code, sections 1343, 1346, and 1952.

    Time-line- Nov. 2012 - Undercover FBI agent (Thomas Holmes) posing as a wealth real estate developer and an unidentified cooperating witness met with Smith to bribe leaders of the Republican Party County Committee to obtain certificates of authorization called Wilson Pakula certificates allowing Smith to run as a Republican candidate for mayor of New York City even though Smith was a registered Democrat. It is then stated that Queens Councilman Dan Halloran met with the pair to negotiate the amount of bribes to Savino and Tabone for the Wilson Pakula certificates, and Halloran was given $20,500.00 for his services. 

 

    Feb 2013- Smith agrees to use his official position to obtain New York State funds for the Spring Valley Project. Savino meets the UC in a Manhattan restaurant and accepts $15,000.00 in cash in the UC's car. Tabone meets the UC in a Manhattan restaurant and accepts $25,000.00 in cash in the UC's car. Also in February Smith suggested that the UC and the state senator representing the Spring Valley area meet concerning the funding for the Spring Valley project.

    March 2013- Telephone and text messages continue between the UC, CW, Smith, and Halloran as to the status of the Wilson Pakulas. Smith is quoted as saying “before any committee leader receives a nickle more (he'd) have to on the Empire State Building and drop every person (he) endorsed, and hold Malcolm up and say he's the best thing since sliced bread”. “Matter of fact, he's better than sliced bread”.

   April 2013- The arrest of Smith, Halloran, Savino, Tabone, the mayor and deputy mayor of Spring Valley. 

 

  The entire 28 page indictment can be found at http://www.scribd.com/doc/133591161/Smith-Malcolm-Et-Al-Complaint-Signed . 

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

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

Will Catholics Like Governor Andrew Cuomo Follow Pope Francis' Example?

 
You should know that I am an Evangelical Christian, and my faith is based on the Bible and on the Judeo-Christian belief which teach us that the Jews are the Chosen Ones, and that whoever curses them will be cursed and whoever blesses them will be blessed.  I share serious concerns raised by many Catholics about how there are many people who claim to be devoted Catholic Christians, but their actions do everything possible to separate themselves from the faith that they claim to profess.

You should also know that with the selection of Pope Francis as the new leader of the Catholic Church, Catholicism has been given a sense of renewed hope.  This has been demonstrated by the examples Pope Francis is giving the world by being so humble and down to earth, to the point of going to a prison to wash and kiss the feet of inmates.  This is something so admirable and full of sensitivity, and of Christian teaching, that I am willing to say that the Catholics will soon see the numbers of those participating grow back to what it once was.

There will be many professed Catholics who will rededicate themselves back to the active practice of their religion by following the example of Pope Francis.  Even the washing of the feet that is traditionally done only on Holy Thursday may take a greater role.  But you should also know that there are other Catholics like Governor Andrew Cuomo and some elected officials who have been doing and pushing for things that are in total contrast to what Pope Francis and the Catholic Church teaches.

Among the teachings of the Catholic Church that every good Catholic should follow (if in reality that they are practicing Catholic) is the respect for life.  Life, according to Pope Francis and the Catholic Church is sacred, and should be respected from the moment of conception: because it is God who has allowed this to happen. As you may know, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Catholic, has been doing everything to fight the Catholic teaching in that regard.

Marriage between same-sex people is another topic that Pope Francis and the Catholic Church strongly reject.  The Catholic Church’s teaching and beliefs are found in the Bible, where it says that it was God who created the idea of one man and one woman, and blessed them as a couple. You should also know that it was New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Catholic, who fought tooth and nail to oppose these teachings of the Catholic Church through his bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

Governor Andrew Cuomo used his staff, raised money, called members of the Senate to his office to twist their rubber arms, and coordinate meetings all over the State of New York to confront and oppose the Catholic faith and those that believe that marriage should be between opposite sexes.

There are many other teachings by Pope Francis and the Catholic Church that our beloved Governor and too many Catholic elected officials tend to forget – and then go to church to receive Holy Communion and profess to be practicing Catholics.  I am aware of the Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation, and how it is possible for people to receive Communion after confessing their sins, but I share concerns raised by Catholics who stress that:  When pro-abortion politicians receive Communion at public Masses a message is sent out that they are in good standing with the Church.  

As I said in the beginning, I am not Catholic. I am an Evangelical Christian who believes in what the Bible says, and because I am not a member of the Catholic hierarchy, I cannot place any Catholic politician in discipline.  As Pope Francis leads the Catholic Church by example, I hope and pray that Catholics – including Governor Andrew Cuomo – will follow his example.

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

ECPW Wrestling April 13th at St. Francis Xavier

STATEMENTS --RE: Paid Sick Leave Compromise

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

RE: Paid Sick Leave Compromise

“This compromise is good news, and a victory for Bronxites and everyone across this city and state who fought so hard to see ‘paid sick leave’ become law. No New Yorker should have to choose between their job and caring for a sick child or a family member.

 “The ‘Paid Sick Leave’ legislative compromise will provide economic security and peace of mind for  an estimated one million New Yorkers, who will now have the fundamental right to take a compensated day off when they or a family member is sick without worrying about losing their paycheck, or worse, their job.

“I would like to thank Council Member Gale Brewer for having the courage to introduce this legislation, and I equally commend Council Member Dan Garodnick for putting forward some very reasonable changes to the original legislation. I also want to thank City Council Speaker Christine Quinn for listening on this issue, and the entire City Council for their efforts on behalf of this legislation. I also commend the NYC Paid Sick Days Coalition for their passionate work to provide working families this critical measure of economic security.

“This legislation, while not what was originally proposed, is indeed an important step forward for the workers of this city, and I hope that it would be expanded in the future to include those workers who are not covered under the current compromise legislation,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

City Comptroller John C. Liu issued the following statement on the City Council’s paid sick leave legislation:

“Congratulations to Councilwoman Gale Brewer and all of her colleagues on the City Council who poured their hearts and souls into drafting this important economic and public health legislation. Thanks to their advocacy, many more New Yorkers will soon be able to take care of themselves or a loved one who gets sick without risking their jobs or paychecks. Let’s hope that we can build on this momentum and help New York City become a national leader in creating a progressive workplace — one that offers all workers a living wage, affordable health care, and a secure retirement.”