REP. ADRIANO ESPAILLAT FLOOR SPEECH RECOGNIZING 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF DOMINICAN INDEPENDENCE

Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) issued the following remarks on the U.S. House floor in recognition of the 175th anniversary of the Independence of the Dominican Republic:

Watch Video. (One Minute thirteen seconds)

*Below are remarks as prepared for delivery.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of Dominican independence, and the birth of the first country I called home.

On February 27th, 1844, the Founding Fathers of the Dominican Republic, great statesmen and lovers of freedom and democracy, raised the flag of the new Republic in Santo Domingo and proclaimed their independence from Haiti, bringing another democratic republic into the family of nations.

In the words of Dominican icon and independence leader Juan Pablo Duarte, ‘love of country led us to make sacred commitments with the next generation,’ and the commitment that he and his fellow patriots made 175 years ago live on in the hearts of every Quisqueyano, whether they are still on the island of their birth or whether they have made a new home abroad.

Today is a day for all of us to celebrate the contributions of the Dominican people, just as my compatriots celebrate the independence of our people.

Thank you, I yield back.

NEWS FROM CONGRESSMAN ELIOT ENGEL

The Medicare for All Act

  Congressman Eliot Engel, a founding member of the House Medicare for All Caucus, joined more than 100 colleagues today to reintroduce H.R. 1384, The Medicare for All Act, legislation that would provide comprehensive health care to every person in America. Engel has cosponsored every version of this bill since 2004.

Medicare for All would create a universal health care program that enrolls every American at birth. It expands the wildly popular Medicare program, while also adding dental, vision, prescription drugs, women’s reproductive health services, maternity and newborn care, long term services and supports and more. The bill would simplify the health care system, cut administrative costs, improve payment systems to hospitals, and lower the cost of prescription drugs.

“It’s time. In fact, it’s long past time that we finally provided truly universal, comprehensive medical coverage to every American,” Rep. Engel said. “Health care is a human right, not a privilege reserved for a wealthy few. We are the only developed country in the world that still does not guarantee health care to its citizens. We also happen to be the wealthiest. Medicare for All is a moral imperative that must finally be met.

“The legislation we have reintroduced today will lower costs, including on prescription drugs, and ensure everyone gets the care they deserve. I have supported this bill for years, and was proud to help found the Medicare for All Caucus last year. Now, it’s time to take that next big step for the American people. I am hopeful the Medicare for All Act will be considered in the House soon, and I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to step up and join our call to provide health care to every American.”

Engel Statement on House Passage of H.R. 8 the Bipartisan Background Checks Act

  Congressman Eliot Engel, a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, issued the following statement after House passage of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019:

“Today’s passage of H.R. 8 marks a significant shift in how the House does business under new Democratic leadership. After years of obstinance and inaction from Republican leaders, our legislative body has finally passed a major piece of meaningful gun violence prevention legislation to help curtail our nation’s gun violence epidemic. And it is just the start for us.

“It’s nice to be able to move the ball forward on gun safety without having to take over the House floor in protest, as we were forced to do 3 years ago while in the minority. H.R. 8 is a bipartisan, commonsense bill that will require a background check for every gun sale or transfer, with only very explicit exceptions. It’s supported by a wide range of gun safety and law enforcement groups, and has long been championed by the medical and educational communities. More than 90 percent of the American people support background checks, in addition to 90 percent of gun owning households. The only people who don’t want this are the right wing extremists in the NRA, who held a stranglehold on the House by way of their surrogates in the GOP leadership. But Congress doesn’t work for the NRA. We work for the American people, and today House Democrats have made that clear.

“Gun violence has torn our nation apart for far too long. The price American families have paid for Congress’ inaction is immeasurable. We have a moral obligation to act, and H.R. 8 is exactly the type of legislation we needed. I hope we can soon follow suit by passing a new assault weapons ban.”

DANCE DOMINATES AND MARGA GOMEZ OPENS THE 2019 BAAD!ASS WOMEN FESTIVAL

Festival runs from March 1 – 30

With Dance! Theater! Film! Performance! Featuring Fierce Women Artists!

BAAD! - The Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance forges forward with the 19th annual BAAD!ASS WOMEN FESTIVAL, celebrating the empowerment of women through art, culture and performance.  As BAAD! celebrates “20 years of Being BAAD!,” the festival kicks off on March 1 with the return to BAAD! of the powerful and celebrated comedic theatre/performance artist, Marga Gomez, who first performed for the space in 2002. The festival continues through March 30 with seven evenings, mostly driven by the organization’s anchor art form, dance, and also includes theatre, performance and film featuring strong and poignant women. The festival takes place at BAAD!, 2474 Westchester Avenue in the Westchester Square section of the Bronx. Ticket prices vary from free to $25.  Participants can take advantage of the Five for $5 special (you and four “girlfriends” make a group of five and pay only $5 each with a prior reservation.) BAAD! offers discounts to BAAD! members, BCA cardholders and NALAC members, and free admission to residents of 10474 and 10461 zip codes. Ticket offers cannot be combined. Visit www.BAADBronx.org for more details.

The schedule for the shows and events is as follows:

Friday & Saturday, March 1 & 2 | 8PM | $25 General Admission, $20 Student/Senior

MARGA GOMEZ in LATIN STANDARDS

Latin Standards was named The New York Times “Critic’s Pick” for its “winning heart and humor.” Written and performed by GLAAD award winner Marga Gomez, the show recalls her childhood in Washington Heights with her father, Willy Chevalier, comedian, producer, songwriter, Cafe El Pico spokesperson, and prominent figure in the golden era of New York’s Latino variety shows. Latin Standards is an energetic, funny and poignant story of perseverance and creative addiction passed down from immigrant father to lesbian daughter. Directed by David Schweizer.

Friday, March 8 | 8pm | Free

TRANSVISIBLE: BAMBY SALCEDO’S STORY

An inspirational documentary about Bamby Salcedo, a Trans Latina woman, now a renowned international leader and Trans community advocate. Bamby's story honors the human spirit and celebrates the victories of winning in the face of adversity, with a special message to Trans immigrant women that face multiple challenges and oppressions. Directed by Dante Alencastre, screening hosted by Barbra Herr.

Saturday, March 9 | 8pm | $20 General Admission, $15 Student/Senior

FLAMENCO TABLAO CURATED BY NÉLIDA TIRADO    

Bronx-based Flamenco dancer and performer, Nelida Tirado, curates a journey to Spain in celebration of the dynamic rhythmic elements of the traditional flamenco art form: baile (dance), cante (singing), toque (guitar) and jaleo (vocals). Born of the old "Café Cantantes" where spectators enjoyed drinks and a great show, Tirado curates a performance that features a collection of NYC's best Flamenco dancers, singers, and instrumentalists.

Friday, March 15 | 8pm | $20 General Admission, $15 Student/Senior

THEATRICAL TREMORS

This shared evening of theatre and performance features three young women pushing boundaries and shaking up stereotypes with Amelia Bande, Julissa Contreras and Qurell-Amani Wright.

Friday, March 22 | 8pm | $20 General Admission, $15 Student/Senior

ALICIA BAUMAN-MORALES presents HURACÁN: STORM MEDICINE

Alicia Bauman-Morales’ huracán: storm medicine is a personal dance story, living altar and town hall about destruction, translation, and the transformative power of storms. Told from the body and voice of a queer, light-skinned Oakland boricua, storm medicine is queer spanglish dance ritual in homage to the unseen powers that trip us up, shake us awake and call us home.

Saturday, March 23 | 8pm | $20 General Admission, $15 Student/Senior​

SOLE SISTERS

The BAAD!ASS Women dance concert is no-holds-barred, daring event with eight choreographers from the Bronx and beyond including Amber Funk Barton, Beatrice Capote, Deborah Conton, Mai Lê Hô and Tamara Williams.

Friday & Saturday, March 29 & 30 | 8PM | $20 General Admission, $15 Student/Senior

DAVALOIS FEARON DANCE presents FOR C.J.

For C.J. is dedicated to Artistic Director Davalois Fearon’s nephew C.J., who was the victim of a fatal asthma attack in 2017. It uses nature to explore themes of loss and remembrance. The dance work celebrates C.J.’s life by telling his story through Fearon’s fluid yet assertive movement vocabulary, with original music by multi-reedist Mike McGinnis, wearable sculpture, costume, makeup designed by interdisciplinary artist Jasmine Murrell and set design by performer and visual artist Myssi Robinson

Crowned “a funky and welcoming performance space” by The New York Times, BAAD! is a performance and workshop space that presents cutting-edge works in dance and all creative disciplines empowering to women, Latinos and people of color and the LGBTQ(lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community. BAAD! is home to Arthur Aviles Typical Theatre (AATT) and the Bronx Dance Coalition and was founded by Arthur Aviles and Charles Rice-Gonzalez in 1998 in Hunts Point. BAAD! moved to Westchester Square in October 2013 to a gothic revivalist building on the grounds of St. Peter’s Church.

BAAD!/AATT receive support from The Ford Foundation, The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, The SHS Foundation, The Mertz Gilmore Foundation, The Howard Gilman Foundation, The Lincoln Center Cultural Innovation Fund, The New York State Council on the Arts, Councilmember Mark Gjonaj, The Jerome Foundation, The Emma A. Sheafer Charitable Trust, The New York State Regional Economic Development Corporation, The Yankee Community Benefit Fund, The Rubin Foundation, The Harkness Foundation for Dance, and private donations.

The festival takes place at BAAD!, 2474 Westchester Avenue in the Westchester Square section of the Bronx.

Biaggi-Sponsored Bill to Mandate Charters Provide Feminine Hygiene Products Passed by Senate Today

  The Senate passed Bill S3125 today, confirming a mandate that public schools provide feminine hygiene products includes charter schools. Senator Alessandra Biaggi was the sponsor.

Senator Biaggi said, “I commend the Governor’s ‘Women’s Agenda’ that, among other things, mandated in the 2018-19 budget that public schools provide feminine hygiene products.

“This bill we passed today is very simple. It solidifies and confirms the public health law includes charter schools in the aforementioned mandate. This is needed to make two things crystal clear: menstruation is a public health matter, and charter schools are public schools.

“Reinforcing these truths will help school-age girls and women who attend charter schools in my district, and throughout the state, to fully take part in their educational experience.”

Gang Member Sentenced To Life In Prison For His Role In Murder Of Mother On Bronx Playground

  Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that STIVEN SIRI-REYNOSO was sentenced today to life plus five years in prison for his role in the June 11, 2016, murder of Jessica White.  Ms. White, 28, was killed by a stray bullet while sitting next to her mother and watching her three young children play in the playground of the John Adams Houses in the Bronx, New York.  SIRI-REYNOSO gave the order for that shooting, which targeted a gang rival.  On July 30, 2018, SIRI-REYNOSO was convicted of conspiring to commit racketeering, conspiring to sell narcotics, murder in aid of racketeering, and murder through the use of a firearm after an eight-day trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “On June 11, 2016, Jessica White was murdered in a playground before her mother and her children, the victim of horrific and senseless gang violence.  Stiven Siri-Reynoso ordered that shooting and was responsible for Jessica’s death.  As a result, he will now spend the rest of his life in a federal prison.  We extend our deepest condolences to the members of Jessica’s family, who have experienced tragedy beyond words.  We thank our partners at the FBI and NYPD, who worked tirelessly to achieve this measure of justice for Jessica and her family.  And we affirm our continued efforts to rid our neighborhoods of intolerable gang violence.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment and the evidence at trial:

On June 11, 2016, Jessica White was struck and killed by a stray bullet while sitting on a bench next to her mother and watching her three children play on a playground at the John Adams Houses, where her mother lived.  SIRI-REYNOSO was a member of the “Dominicans Don’t Play” or “DDP” street gang.  The DDP gang was engaged in a dispute between with the rival Trinitarios street gang involving, among other things, SIRI-REYNOSO’s drug sales near the John Adams Houses. 

On the night of June 11, 2016, Trinitarios members tried to attack SIRI-REYNOSO.  In retaliation, SIRI-REYNOSO sent another individual to shoot at the Trinitarios.  SIRI-REYNOSO ensured the shooter had a gun and a mask, and arranged for other gang members to be waiting in a getaway car nearby.  As the shooter began firing, Jessica White got up and called out for her children.  She was struck by one of the bullets and killed.     

SIRI-REYNOSO also committed other crimes in connection with his membership in the DDPs, including drug selling and robbery.

In addition to the prison term, SIRI-REYNOSO, 26, of the Bronx, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department. 

Hacker “AlfabetoVirtual” Sentenced To Prison For Hacking Websites Of The Combating Terrorism Center At West Point And The New York City Comptroller

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that BILLY RIBEIRO ANDERSON, a/k/a “Anderson Albuquerque,” a/k/a “AlfabetoVirtual,” was sentenced today to three months in prison for obtaining unauthorized access to and committing defacements of the websites for the Combating Terrorism Center at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York (“West Point”), and the Office of the New York City Comptroller (the “NYC Comptroller”).  ANDERSON pled guilty on October 2, 2018, to two felony counts of computer fraud before U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain, who also imposed today’s sentence.   

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Billy Anderson was a sophisticated hacker who compromised and defaced the websites of the New York City Comptroller, West Point, and more than 11,000 other military, government, and business websites around the world under his online pseudonym “AlfabetoVirtual.”  Anderson will now serve time in federal prison under his true name.  This case demonstrates that those who seek to commit cyber intrusions of government websites will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”  

According to the Indictment and other public court filings and proceedings:

Website defacements are acts of computer intrusion during which a hacker obtains unauthorized access to computers hosting Internet websites and then replaces the publicly available contents of the website with content generated by the hacker, thereby “defacing” the website.  Hackers frequently claim responsibility for defacements by listing their online pseudonyms as part of the defaced content.

From in or about 2015 through at least March 13, 2018, ANDERSON took responsibility for obtaining unauthorized access to, and committing more than 11,000 defacements of, various U.S. military, government, and business websites around the world under the online pseudonym “AlfabetoVirtual,” including websites for the NYC Comptroller and the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.

On or about July 10, 2015, a website owned by the NYC Comptroller was defaced, and ANDERSON, using the online pseudonym “AlfabetoVirtual,” claimed responsibility for the intrusion and defacement.  The contents of the NYC Comptroller website were modified to display the text “Hacked by AlfabetoVirtual,” “#FREEPALESTINE” and “#FREEGAZA.”  The defacement was performed by exploiting security vulnerabilities associated with the version of a plugin being used on the website.   

On or about October 4, 2016, a website for the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point was defaced, and ANDERSON, using the online pseudonym “AlfabetoVirtual,” claimed responsibility for the intrusion and defacement.  The content of the Combating Terrorism Center website was modified to display the text “Hacked by AlfabetoVirtual.”  The defacement was performed by an unauthorized administrative account that exploited a known cross-site script vulnerability, thereby enabling ANDERSON to bypass access controls and target an internal Combating Terrorism Center website address.   

In addition to the prison term, ANDERSON, 42, of Torrance, California, was sentenced to three years of supervised release, 200 hours of community service, and ordered to pay restitution to victims of his offense.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Mr. Berman also thanked the Computer Crime Investigative Unit of the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command and the Brazilian Federal Police Cyber Crime Unit for their assistance with the investigation.  

Attorney General James Announces Indictment Of Brooklyn Man In Alleged Scheme To Steal Money Intended To Fund Housing For Homeless NYC Veterans

Michael Erber is also Charged with Stealing Approximately $200,000 in Lottery Winnings From a Veteran Seeking Housing Assistance 

   Attorney General Letitia James announced the arrest and arraignment of Michael Erber, 61, of Brooklyn for stealing money intended to pay the rent of homeless New York City veterans from five Community Based Organizations. Erber is charged with five counts of Grand Larceny in the third Degree and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree. Erber is also charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree for allegedly stealing lottery winnings from a disabled veteran. 

“Stealing money intended to support our veterans is truly unconscionable,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Michael Erber’s alleged scheme not only stole money directly from the hands of non-profits and veterans, but it also denied homeless veterans access to desperately-needed shelter and a place to call home. This type of behavior will never be tolerated." 

According to statements made by the prosecutor at arraignment and documents filed in Supreme Court, Kings County, Michael Erber (“Erber”) operated an organization known as MAG-V, a New York not-for-profit. MAG-V recruited homeless veterans with promises of housing and job training, posting fliers with numerous homeless shelters and community based organizations. Erber also personally recruited veterans and case managers from these organizations. 

As the Attorney General alleges, after selecting veterans in need of housing, MAG-V entered into lease agreements with landlords in Brooklyn and the Bronx, under which the veterans were listed as tenants. MAG-V then secured funding for rental payments from Community Based Organizations (“CBOs”) in New York City. Unbeknownst to the CBOs or the veterans, Erber did not pay the landlords any of the funds provided by the CBOs to pay rent. As a result, the landlords initiated eviction proceedings against the veterans. As a result of this scheme, Erber allegedly stole more than $3,000 each from five separate CBOs. 

Also alleged by the Attorney General, is that Erber stole approximately $200,000 from a disabled veteran, who won a lottery game in 2015. According to statements made by the prosecutor at arraignment and documents filed in Supreme court, Kings County, after the veteran won the lottery, he was contacted by Erber, who pressured him to invest the lottery winnings with MAG-V. Erber promised the veteran a paid position on MAG-V’s board of directors and offered to help him find permanent housing, neither of which Erber ever did. Based on these false representations, Erber stole approximately $200,000 from the veteran. 

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Statement From Attorney General James On The End Of The Renewal Schools Program

  In response to the New York City Department of Education’s announcement to end the Renewal Schools program, Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement: 

“While the goal of the Renewal Schools Program was well intentioned, the Department of Education (DOE) struggled to properly execute the program since its inception, leaving thousands of our most vulnerable students behind. Over the years, I have worked with advocates and experts to better understand the challenges our schools face, and I urge Chancellor Carranza to review the recommendations we put forth to strengthen our schools. The quality of our schools and the education our students receive is of utmost importance and I look forward to working together to improve our schools.” 

As Public Advocate, Letitia James long called for reforms to the Renewal Schools program in order to turnaround our failing schools and protect our most vulnerable students. In November 2016, Public Advocate James hosted a forum on Renewal Schools with  principals, advocates, teachers, and parents to discuss the challenges the program faced.