Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj & State Senator Jeff Klein honor President of Albania H.E. Bujar Nishani for the Albanians role in saving Jews during WWII

Legislators herald photographer Norman Gershman whose work captures the heroism and altruism of the Albanians during WWII

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and State Senator Jeff Klein today honored President of Albania H.E. Bujar Nishani for the role Albanians played in saving thousands of Jews during the Holocaust and celebrated photographer Norman Gershman whose photographs capture the essence of their history.

“I’m honored to stand with President H.E. Bujar Nishani to share the Albanian people’s history with New Yorkers and the world. Through Mr. Gershman’s lens we see the Albanians’ commitment to care for those in need, to foster hospitality in the face of radical hatred, and to Besa, the country's code of honor,” said Assemblyman Gjonaj. “It is crucial for us to continue to acknowledge and show appreciation for this unique and honorable display of humanity and compassion, especially in today’s world where we must work together to fight the growing trend of radicalism and stand up for justice, interreligious cooperation and peace. These stories remind us that we must remember the tragedies of WWII so as not to repeat those events; however, we must also remember and honor the silent heroes of WWII upon whose paths we must continue to follow in order to build tolerant and just communities in our districts, in the Great State of New York, and all over the world.”

“As the grandson of Holocaust survivors, I am especially moved by and grateful to those who risked their lives to shelter and protect millions of Jewish refugees during one of the darkest chapters in human history. Albanians took great risk to save Jews in their country, as well as neighboring nations, and their often unknown heroic actions merit this well deserved recognition. I’m honored to host President Nishani and commend the Albanian people for their compassion and bravery. I’m also proud to recognize photographer Norman Gershman whose work lets future generations learn about this extraordinary relationship between the Albanian and Jewish people,” said State Senator Jeff Klein.

“Today, 70 years later, in many parts of the globe, including parts of the European continent we notice an increasing feeling of anti-Semitism. The most recent anti-Semitic terrorist attack in France, but also in other countries, make us think the goal achieved 70 years ago is being placed in question once again,” President Nishani said. “We must not permit any kind of question marks and prejudices to affect the young generations, but instead we must act together with determination in the fight against anti-Semitism and in the defense of the United Nations declaration of universal human rights. The lessons learned from history should not be forgotten.”

Mr. German received proclamations from Assemblyman Gjonaj and Senator Klein at the noon reception, where his traveling exhibit, “Besa: Albanians that saved Jews during WWII,” was displayed.

“I discovered this unbelievable code of honor, something called besa, and this code is more than just an Albanian code. It’s a code that we all must embrace. When I say, ‘we,’ I mean that all of us — men, women, children — to honor the cultural differences between various peoples in various countries,” Mr. Gershman said.

Besa, the cornerstone of this event, is a code of honor deeply rooted in Albanian culture and incorporated into the faith of Albanians. It dictates moral behavior and it demands that one take responsibility for the lives of others in their time of need. In Albania and Kosovo, Albanians sheltered not only the Jews of their cities and villages, but thousands of refugees fleeing the Nazis from other European countries at grave risk to themselves and their families. The Besa exhibition and film has been presented at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, the United Nations in New York City, the Houses of Parliament in London, the European Union in Strasbourg, in Albania and in many more venues around the world.

President Nishani visited the Assembly Chamber with Assemblyman Gjonaj at 1:30, where Assembly Speaker Heastie presented him with a glass apple. Shortly after at 3 p.m., Nishani addressed the Senate.

Both houses passed resolutions recognizing the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII; and the remarkable role Albanians played rescuing Jews during WWII. More than 2,000 Jews survived Nazi persecution in Albania, where the local Albanian population hid them at the risk of their own lives.

L to R - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, President of Albania H.E. Bujar Nishani and State Senator Jeff Klein.

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and Senator Jeff Klein present photographer Norman Gershman with proclamations.

STATEMENT FROM BP DIAZ RE: President Obama’s Visit to The Bronx

  “I was thrilled to welcome President Obama to The Bronx today. But I am even more excited to hear his words. The President’s stated commitment to the future of urban youth, especially young men of color in the United States, through the launch of his ‘My Brother’s Keeper Alliance,’ is worthy of considerable praise. I know firsthand the struggles young men of color face in this nation, and I know how challenging it can be to both lead one’s own life on the right path while also guiding others in that same direction. This initiative, which will combine public and private resources for the greater good, is welcome not only in The Bronx but across the United States.

“I am proud to have been present for today’s historic announcement, and I look forward to working with the ‘My Brother’s Keeper Alliance’ to help young men of color get the help they need to succeed,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Annual Wakefield Symposium Conference on Endometriosis and Uterine Cancer v3, Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Montefiore Medical Center

Invites you to the

Annual WAKEFIELD Symposium Conference

On Endometriosis and Uterine Cancer v3

Tuesday, May 19 2015, 2:00 – 4 pm & 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Sponsored by

Wakefield Community Advisory Board

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES STRUGGLING SCHOOLS WILL RECEIVE THEIR “FAIR STUDENT FUNDING” FOR THE FIRST TIME

De Blasio administration will boost struggling schools’ funding $34 million next year and $60 million every year after to hire guidance counselors, launch academic intervention programs, and add Advanced Placement classes

New resources to support all 130 Renewal Schools, Community Schools, and Persistently Failing Schools

  —Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced a significant investment of $60 million per year in additional funding to ensure struggling schools have the resources they need to succeed. Correcting years of inequity, this funding will raise all 130 Renewal Schools, Community Schools and Persistently Failing Schools to 100 percent of their ‘Fair Student Funding’ for the first time. That means they’ll have the resources they need ­­­­– and have long been owed – to serve English Language Learners, students with special needs, and other young people who need extra help to catch up. 

The Campaign for Fiscal Equity settlement called on the State to fully fund all public schools adequately. While that historic deficit persists – with an estimated shortfall of $2.6 billion for this year alone for New York City – the de Blasio administration is taking steps to ensure schools that have the deepest challenges aren’t held back. Schools will be able to use the new funding to hire guidance counselors, bring on teachers for special academic intervention programs serving students who have fallen behind, extend the school day, or add advanced placement classes. To qualify for funding, schools must submit detailed plans for approval that demonstrate precisely how the new funds will be spent and how they will advance key metrics like attendance, credit accumulation, test scores and on-time graduation rates. 

These new resources are above and beyond the $150 million committed in the Renewal Schools initiative and the Community School expansion, which are also increasing services at each of these schools.

“We’ve put real resources and real accountability in place to give students, teachers and communities at struggling schools a path to success. But we don’t want them fighting the decades-old headwind of underfunding at the same time. These new investments will make a real difference: more AP classes, more guidance counselors, extra tutors, and schools open longer. We have a plan for these schools’ success and we’re going to make sure they have the tools to turn around and raise student achievement,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“Lifting up our schools requires real resources – and that is what we are committed to delivering. Through this individualized approach, we’ll put more guidance counselors in schools, extend the day for our most struggling students and train teachers better so they can best teach our children. By building out the tool kit for our historically struggling schools, I know we’ll see real results as we work to improve student outcomes at every school across the city,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña.

Historically, schools were provided with resources based primarily on the size of their student body. The ‘Fair Student Funding’ formula was introduced almost a decade ago by the Department of Education to reflect the diversity of New York City’s student body, which includes many students who require extra support like English Language Learners, students with special needs, and students who have fallen behind. But without the funding promised in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity settlement, most schools never got the extra resources they needed. Today’s announcement ensures all struggling schools have the full and fair resources they need.

Achieving Fair Student Funding

• The Administration is investing $33.6 million in FY16 and $59.7 million in FY17 and every year thereafter to provide additional funds for schools most in need.  

• All 130 Renewal schools, Persistently Failing schools, and Community Schools will be brought to 100 percent of their Fair Student Funding recommendation within two years. The average Renewal School will see $250,000 in additional annual funding.

• The minimum amount any school can receive will be raised from 81 percent to 82 percent of the Fair Student Funding formula. These changes will impact approximately 400 schools and 252,000 students. 

Rigorous Oversight of School Spending Plans

• Schools must provide a robust plan for strategic use of the new funding to achieve concrete gains in metrics like attendance, credit accumulation and on-time graduation.

• Plans could include hiring academic intervention services teachers to help students catch up and adding college readiness programs, guidance counselors and programming.

• Plans for uses of these additional funds will require approval from each school’s superintendent.

  

Unprecedented Support to Turn Around Struggling Schools

• By this September, all 94 Renewal Schools will be transformed into Community Schools, have an additional hour of instruction every day, increase professional development in key areas like student writing, and launch a summer learning program – all part of their comprehensive Renewal Plan with concrete targets in student achievement.

Editors Note:

I have left out the patronizing comments from Mayor deBlasio's supporters, and those who are intent on keeping their jobs in the education field. 

It is now time to end mayoral control as former Mayor Bloomberg gave us a perfect example as to why Mayoral control was a failure. Now is the time to go back to accountability which school boards gave us. To keep the integrity of school boards do not allow any hiring to be done, only advisory evaluations of school leadership. Right now there is no accountability as shown in this report by the chancellor's office, and Bill deBlasio has picked up right where Michael Bloomberg has left the school system, in a mess.

Place Your Bets on Jeff Klein

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

Place Your Bets on Jeff Klein 

You should know that with all of the recent news that New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos is expected to be arrested this week, there is a lot of speculation about who the next Senate Majority Leader will be.  Here in Albany, bets are being placed and New York State’s Capital has become nothing short of a gaming parlor.  People are talking about and guessing who their favorite candidate is and who they wish would be the next Speaker. This is if and when Dean Skelos gets indicted and then resigns as Senate Leader. 

  

You should know that rumor has it that the Democrats have been talking about ways to push Dean Skelos to resign as Senate Majority Leader, following Sheldon Silver’s recent example of stepping down when he was indicted. 

Among the candidate names that are floating around to be the next Senate Leader are Senators Tom Libous, Catharine Young, John Flanagan, and John DeFrancisco, among others. 

Even though nobody has asked me, and probably nobody cares too much about my opinion, nonetheless, I’d like to put in my two cents. 

You should know that if I were Dean Skelos, what I would do to keep my Conference in power would be to name Senator Jeff Klein to be the Leader of the Senate. It is well known that Jeff Klein, the Leader of the Independent Democrat Conference – which is comprised of Senators Diane Savino, David Carlucci, David Valesky and Tony Avella – has been joining forces for years with the Republicans to keep them in power. 

I say to choose Jeff Klein, keeping in mind two important things that are expected to happen in the future.  First, it is expected that Dean Skelos, the current Leader of the New York State Senate will be indicted and step down. My second point involves the fact that next year, there will be a Presidential election where Hillary Clinton is expected to be the standard bearer of the Democratic Party and will probably bring out the vote for Democrats in the State of New York. It will be practically impossible for Republicans to keep the majority of seats in the Senate because Hillary Clinton will help Democrats to obtain the vast majority of Senate seats. 

The only way – with the scandal of Dean Skelos and the power of Hillary Clinton in play – for the Republicans to keep power is to name Jeff Klein the Leader of the Senate.  This will keep the IDC’s five Democrats supporting the Republicans to control the Senate.  Other than that, I don’t see any other way for Republicans to maintain their control of the Senate. 

On the other hand, with the probable indictment of Dean Skelos and the expected election of more Democrats in the Senate – and if Jeff Klein decides to come back to join the Senate’s Regular Democratic Conference, then that would be the end of the Republican control of the State Senate. 

Ladies and gentlemen, knowing how ambitious Jeff Klein and his negotiating skills are, I assure you that he will not let this opportunity to put himself in the drivers seat go by.  Based on that, the odds are 75 percent in favor of him becoming the next Leader of the New York State Senate, Democrat or Republican - it does not matter. 

I am State Senator Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

Assemblyman Sepulveda: Fighting for Criminal Justice Reform

Last week my colleagues and I from the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Caucus announced in Albany the formation of a list of criminal justice reforms that we will be sending to Governor Cuomo and the legislative leaders.  

Newsday released an article entitled "New York Legislators to Push for Criminal Justice Reforms" in which I state that "we have a lost generation of black and Latino men and women, and it has not made us safer."  It is for this reason that my colleagues and I are pushing for reforms like raising the age of criminal responsibility, grand jury disclosure, increasing access to mental health services, and providing our children with a better education.

You can read the full article here: New York Legislators to Push for Criminal Justice Reforms.

I am proud to be one of the Members of the Assembly pushing for these changes.  New York should be at the forefront of criminal justice reform, but we haven't been.  I intend on working to change that

Your Assemblyman,

Luis R. Sepúlveda

Office of Assemblyman Luis R. Sepulveda
1973 Westchester Ave

BP DIAZ KICKS OFF BRONX WEEK 2015

  With the Bronx Week backdrop Bronx Borough President officially kicked off Bronx Week 2015 today at the old Bronx General Post Office on the corner of the Grand Concourse and East 149th Street. 

  This year’s 2015 Bronx Walk of Fame inductees include actor and activist Malik Yoba; NBA Legend and Hall of Famer Dolph Schayes; and actress, author and television commentator Stacey Dash. Longtime borough business leader, philanthropist and the founder of Delicioso Coco Helado, Alfredo Thiebaud, will also be posthumously inducted in to the Bronx Walk of Fame.

The festival “block party” was hosted by the developer of the Bronx Post Office, Youngwoo and Associates and the Bristol Group, at the back of the building on Anthony J. Griffin Place. The event was designed to share with the community the inventive plans for this unique space, and will also focus on highlighting and celebrating local culture and entrepreneurship as you will see in the photos below. 

  Bronx Week 2015 begins on Thursday May 7th with the Centenarian Celebration Breakfast hosting those Bronxites 100 years or older. This event keeps getting larger each year as more Bronxites continue to join this Centennial Club. 

  Bronx Week 2015 culminates on Sunday May 17th with the Bronx Walk of Fame 2015 Induction Ceremony (on the steps of the Bronx County Building), the Bronx Week Parade, and then the Bronx Week Food and Arts Festival both being held on the North and South sides of Mosholu Parkway between Southern Blvd. and Van Cortlandt Avenue (where the parade viewing seating will be). 

Left - BP Diaz stands with City Council members Vanessa Gibson and Andy King. That is Roberto Garcia of Montefiore Hospital (a major sponsor of Bronx Week) with his back to the camera.

Right - Councilwoman Gibson poses with the new Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.

Left - Bronx Borough President Diaz stops by the Bronx Baking Company to sample some of the Delicious Pretzel Bites.

Councilman Andy King and one of his staffers are all smiles as they eat their samples of the Bronx Baking Company. 

Left - Bronx Professor Historian Lloyd Ultan is signing his new book on the History of the Bronx.

Right - Ms. B. Campbell-Adams (right) owner of Lloyd's Carrot Cake located at 6097 Broadway is with one of her employees. There is no relationship between the Bronx Historian Lloyd Ultan and Lloyd's Carrot Cake.

Left- Food from Havana Cafe located at 4251 East Tremont Avenue is available for sampling.

Right - The Brothers Ramirez Anthony and Paul of the Bronx Beer Hall on Arther Avenue could not sample their wonderful pilsner, but did give out samples of their new Bronx Hot Sauce.

Left - There are hundreds of bees in the photo with the director of the City Island Gold and his two assistants.

Right - A few members of the Bronx NYPD while on a break before the event. 

Johnson Avenue festival huge Success

  As you can see Johnson Avenue was jumping with entertainment as with the beautiful weather the Johnson Avenue Festival Was enjoyed by all who attended. on hand were many of the local elected officials, and I arrived just after Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz had finished and the music continued. Also on hand were State Senator Jeff Klein and Councilman Andrew Cohen. 

  Tracy Shelton, Linda Manning, Cliff Stanton, and the rest of the members of KRVC along with the many exhibitors and merchants who were able to bring their wares to the community outside their stores deserve congrats for a very successful event. I was told that over 75 people received free health screenings from the local Montefiore office on Johnson Avenue. I then got into a discussion with a couple of people who were mad that Montefiore was not able to build the full service medical center nearby, because they said the current site on Johnson Avenue is much to small for the needs of the community. 

  The photos below will tell the rest of the story.

Above - One of the two stilt walkers during the day'

Below - The Bouncy Castle for the little ones to enjoy.

Above - Some friends with the Animal Doctor at the ne One Love Animal Hospital that has opened up at 3547 Johnson Avenue.
Below the manager of the Country Bank located on West 235th Street around the corner of Johnson Avenue may not have been giving out any money, but she had a great rate on a special CD the bank is offering.