STATEMENT FROM BP DIAZ RE: President Obama’s Proposal on Puerto Rico’s Debt

  “I commend President Obama for taking action and putting forward a proposal that supports the future economic growth of Puerto Rico and prevents a financial catastrophe for our fellow Americans who call Puerto Rico their home. For several months, I have been pushing for common sense solutions to Puerto Rico’s fiscal crisis, which undoubtedly would negatively impact New York and other states. This includes leading a coalition of elected officials from across the nation in a push for federal legislation that would allow the commonwealth to declare bankruptcy, restructure its debt and fundamentally change how Puerto Rico engages in commerce.

“ This latest proposal is a strong step forward for the financial health and well-being of Puerto Rico, and it is now up to Congress to act quickly to prevent what some have described as a looming humanitarian crisis in the commonwealth. I look forward to strategizing with my colleagues in government, including Assembly Member Marcos Crespo, Chair of the New York State Assembly’s Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force; Congress Members Nydia Velazquez and Jose Serrano, and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito on moving forward federal legislation when we meet at the Somos El Futuro conference in Puerto Rico next month,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

In August, Borough President Diaz issued a letter, in conjunction with over 100 elected officials from across the nation, demanding immediate action from Congress to enact legislation that will allow the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to enter bankruptcy. Read the letter here http://on.nyc.gov/1h2qZs1.

Uniformed Firefighters Association Endorses Keith Wright for Congress

Uniformed Firefighters Association Endorses Keith Wright for Congress

October 22, 2015

The Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) representing more than 8,000 New York City Firefighters today endorsed Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright for election to New York’s 13th Congressional district. The UFA is the largest firefighters union local in the world.

In making the endorsement UFA leaders cited Assemblyman Wright’s pledge to support the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act and his longstanding fight for improved staffing levels at fire companies throughout the City of New York.

“As a leader in Albany and in the city, Keith Wright has stood with the community and with New York City Firefighters in opposition firehouse closures and staffing cuts that threatened the lives of New Yorkers and our firefighters. He has long expressed a steadfast support for the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act, which is necessary to continue protecting the health of thousands who are sick from responding in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on our nation” said Steve Cassidy, UFA President.

“Keith Wright has demonstrated a tremendous respect for the sacrifices of first responders and clearly understands what is needed to keep New Yorkers safe. That is why New York City firefighters and the UFA is proud to endorse Keith Wright to be the next congressman to represent the citizens of the 13th district.”

“I am so grateful to have the support of the Uniformed Firefighters Association. The members of the UFA are the everyday heroes who have long played a critical role in the safety of our communities,” said Assemblyman Wright. “Whether it’s improved working conditions, ensuring access to top of the line equipment and technology, or supporting the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act, I look forward to advancing the needs of firefighters and the New Yorkers they protect, as a strong voice in Congress.”

The 13th Congressional District, currently represented by U.S. Representative Charles B. Rangel, encompasses the neighborhoods of Harlem, Inwood, Marble Hill, East Harlem, Washington Heights, Morningside Heights and parts of the Upper West Side. For more information on Democrat Keith Wright’s campaign for Congress, please visit www.Wright2016.com.

Citizen Preparedness Training Tuesday, October 27th Bronx House 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

October 26th NYC Fundraiser for Assemblyman Michael Blake

     
RSVP: https://act.myngp.com/Forms/5446830361490556672

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Upcoming Events

Please join the 

Bronx Chamber of Commerce 

for our 

upcoming events 

SPACES ARE FILLING UP

Registration Required !

----------------------------------------------------

Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Workshop

5:30PM

Monday, Oct.26th

Veterans Brunch

10:00AM

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

For More Information Please Email:

EVENTS@BRONXCHAMBER.ORG

BP Diaz and PACE to Host Gifted & Talented Open House

  FOR the second year in a row, the Office of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and PACE (Parents' Alliance for Citywide Education) will co-host a Gifted & Talented Education Open House providing information about New York City's Citywide Gifted & Talented (G&T) elementary schools, Bronx district G&T programs and other accelerated education options. The groups will hold two events on Thursday, October 29^that the Bronx Library Center – one at 10-11:30 a.m. and another at 6-7p.m.

Each event features drop-in sessions related to G&T education as well as a presentation on the public school G&T testing process by expert consultants. PACE and Bronx Borough President representatives will be on hand, and current parents at Citywide G&T schools and district G&T programs will be available for informal Q&A.  Representatives from other local educational groups will provide information and a representative from the NYC Department of Education will also be available to answer questions specific to the public school G&T process.

In addition to gathering information on educational options, attendees can sign up on site for the free G&T test offered by the DOE.

Among the five boroughs of New York City, Bronx children are tested at the lowest rate per capita, according to DOE statistics. This can change with better outreach to all Bronx communities. In fact, after last year’s Open House at which scores of parents signed up for the G&T test on site, the number of Bronx children taking the G&T test for entry to Kindergarten increased by over 13 percent whereas in other boroughs the testing rate stayed flat or even decreased.  The PACE group believes if more parents have their children tested, the demand for accelerated programs will grow in The Bronx.

“As a borough we continue to push for educational excellence and options for all of our students,” says Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “When looking at the gifted and talented students in The Bronx, we know we have to do the work of educating and supporting parents to make informed decisions about the educational trajectory of their children.

We are working with Bronx parents who have gone through the G&T process and can offer their experiences and knowledge to assist parents, especially when signing up for the free G&T test with the Department of Education; to answer questions parents and caregivers may have about the G&T process and schools; and with organizations that provide further educational options for parents of gifted and talented children.”

Borough President Diaz added, “Supporting students is a priority of my office and I look forward to continuing these collaborative efforts to open as many doors of excellence to our parents and gifted and talented Bronx students.” 

PACE is an organization founded by parent volunteers who represent each of New York City's Citywide G&T schools and programs: The Anderson School on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Brooklyn School of Inquiry, NEST+m on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, STEM Academy at PS 85Q (grades 2-5 in 2015/16) and The 30th Avenue School (Q300) (grades K-2, 6 & 7 in 2015/16) in Queens, & TAG Young Scholars in East Harlem, Manhattan. More information can be found at their website, Citywideschools.org.

PACE seeks to advance G&T education through advocacy, outreach, and coalition building. PACE’s activities include:

    •    Monitoring relevant education policy and issues,

    •    Educating elected officials and other community leaders about Citywide gifted and talented programs,

    •    Advocating for existing and new Citywide G&T schools and programs, and

    •    Sharing experience, learning, and practices among parents at Citywide gifted and talented schools and programs.

Citywide schools are gifted and talented schools which accept applicants from any of NYC's five boroughs based on results of the NYC Department of Education’s Gifted and Talented testing.

Details

When:             Thursday, October 29, 10-11:30 a.m. and 6-7 p.m.    

Free and Open to the Public, Refreshments Served and Children Welcome

Location:        Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY

Questions:      Contact Willow Lawson, Parents’ Alliance for Citywide Education,

info@citywideschools.org

SENATOR KLEIN LAUNCHES 34th SENATE DISTRICT THANKSGIVING POSTER CONTEST

Students K-6 invited to participate in “What are you thankful for?” Thanksgiving Day Creative Celebration

State Senator Jeff Klein today announced the launch of the New York State Senate’s Thanksgiving Day Creative Celebration for elementary school students in the 34th Senate District. To honor and celebrate Thanksgiving, students in kindergarten through sixth grade are encouraged to participate in this statewide competition.

Senator Jeff Klein said: “Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all our blessings and thank our parents, family and friends for the kindness and support they have shown us over the past year. It’s also a time to give back, help out our communities and endeavor to make the world a better place. I hope all students in the 34th Senate District enter this fun creative contest and let me know ‘what they are thankful for.’ I look forward to hearing from you!”

The theme of the contest is “What are you thankful for?” Students should submit their one-page essay, poetry or art work electronically to klein.nysenate.gov. Acceptable file formats include jpeg or pdf.

All entries must be submitted by November 19, 2015. Participating students will have their work published online in the Senate's Thanksgiving Day Showcase and receive a certificate from Senator Klein.

Internet Crime Complaint Center | New Microchip-Enabled Credit Cards May Still Be Vulnerable to Exploitation by Fraudsters

NEW MICROCHIP-ENABLED CREDIT CARDS MAY STILL BE VULNERABLE TO EXPLOITATION BY FRAUDSTERS

By October 2015, many U.S. banks will have replaced hundreds of millions of traditional credit and debit cards, which rely on data stored on magnetic strips, with new payment cards containing a microchip known as an EMV chip. While EMV cards offer enhanced security, the FBI is warning law enforcement, merchants, and the general public that no one technology eliminates fraud and cybercriminals will continue to look for opportunities to steal payment information.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

What is an EMV credit card?

The small gold chip found in many credit cards is most often referred to as an EMV chip. Cards containing this chip are known as EMV cards, as well as “chip-and-signature,” “chip-and-pin,” or “smart” cards. The name “EMV” refers to the three originators of chip-enabled cards: Europay, MasterCard, and Visa. EMV chips are now the global standard for credit card security.

With traditional credit cards, the magnetic strip on the back of the card contains static personal information about the cardholder. This information is used to authenticate the card at the point of sale (PoS) terminal, before the purchase is authorized. When a consumer uses an EMV card at a chip PoS terminal, that transaction is protected using the technology in the microchip. Additionally, consumers will be able to continue to use the magnetic strip on the EMV card at retailers who have not yet implemented chip PoS terminals. When the card is equipped with a personal identification number (PIN), which is known only to the cardholder and the issuing financial institution, issuers will be able to verify the user’s identity. Currently, not all EMV cards are issued to consumers with the PIN capability and not all merchant PoS terminals can accept PIN entry. EMV transactions at chip PoS terminals provide more security of consumers' personal data than magnetic strip PoS transactions. In addition, EMV card transactions transmit data between the merchant and the issuing bank with a special code that is unique to each individual transaction. This provides the cardholder greater security and makes the EMV card less vulnerable to criminal activity while the data is transmitted from the chip enabled PoS to the issuing bank.

THREAT

Although EMV cards provide greater security than traditional magnetic strip cards, an EMV chip does not stop lost and stolen cards from being used in stores, or for online or telephone purchases when the chip is not physically provided to the merchant, referred to as a card-not-present transaction. Additionally, the data on the magnetic strip of an EMV card can still be stolen if the merchant has not upgraded to an EMV terminal and it becomes infected with data-capturing malware. Consumers are urged to use the EMV feature of their new card wherever merchants accept it to limit the exposure of their sensitive payment data

DEFENSE

Consumers should closely safeguard the security of their EMV cards and PINs. This includes being vigilant in handling, signing, and activating a card as soon as it arrives in the mail, reviewing statements for irregularities, and promptly reporting lost or stolen credit cards to the issuing bank. Consumers should also shield the keypad from bystanders when entering a PIN, as PINs are vulnerable to cybercriminals who work to steal these numbers to commit ATM and cash-back crimes.

The FBI encourages merchants to handle the EMV card and its data with the same security precautions they use for standard credit cards. Merchants handling sales over the telephone or via the Internet are encouraged to adopt additional security measures to ensure the authenticity of cards used for transactions. At a minimum, merchants should use secure servers and payment links for all Internet transactions with credit and debit cards, and information should be encrypted, if possible, to avert hackers from compromising card information provided by consumers. Credit card information taken over the telephone or through online means should be protected by the retailer to include encrypting digital information and securely disposing written credit card information.

If you believe you have been a victim of credit card fraud, reach out to your local law enforcement or FBI field office, and file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.IC3.gov.

http://www.ic3.gov/media/2015/151008.aspx