Queens Lawmakers On The Move Nov. 1, 2018

Queens County City Council News

Maloney Pushes Bipartisan Never Again Education Act

U.S. Rep Carolyn Maloney

U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Western Queens, Manhattan) and U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday formally requested that the House Committee on Education and the Workforce hold a hearing on their bipartisan bill to bolster Holocaust education across the country.

The measure, The Never Again Education Act (H.R. 5460) was introduced in April 2018.

In their letter to committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) the members explain the importance and need for this legislation in light of Saturday’s attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue.

“On Saturday, October 27th, 11 Jews were killed on Shabbat simply for being in synagogue and practicing their faith. This attack is believed to be the deadliest on the American Jewish community in our nation’s history. This is horrific and unconscionable and comes at a time when anti-Semitic incidents and online harassment are on the rise,” the lawmakers wrote.

“The Anti-Defamation League reports that anti-Semitic incidents were up 57% in 2017, from the previous year. As we condemn this horrendous attack and the anti-Semitism that caused it, we also must ensure that our children and students understand the dangers of rising anti-Semitism and that they know its history. For if we do not learn from the past, we are doomed to repeat it.”


Addabbo See Major Improvements At St. John’s Episcopal Hospital

Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr.

State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) recently visited with the staff and administration at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway to see some of the improvements made and their new equipment.

Addabbo met with president of the hospital, Gerry Walsh, who gave him a tour of the Far Rockaway facility. One piece of new equipment the Senator was able to see is the hospital’s hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers.

These therapy chambers use pure, pressurized oxygen to promote healing in the patients.

“There are a lot of good things happening here at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital,” Addabbo said.  “Which is good news for the residents of Far Rockaway and the surrounding areas. Highly trained medical experts along with state-of-the-art technology means patients are getting the high-quality care that they need. I look forward to seeing the continued growth of the hospital.”

The emergency room and expanded services at the hospital was made partially available through New York State funding.


Ulrich Urges MTA to Expedite Repair Work to Marine Parkway Bridge

City Council Member Eric Ulrich

City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Rockaway Park, Roxbury, South Ozone Park, West Hamilton Beach, Woodhaven) is calling on the MTA to expedite repair work to the Marine Parkway Bridge.

In a letter penned to MTA Bridges & Tunnels President Cedrick T. Fulton, the Councilman requests the MTA provide a detailed timeline of the rest of the project, which has inconvenienced residents and commuters for more than two years.

“For more than two years, my constituents have faced significant delays during their daily commutes. Just yesterday, residents waiting more than 30 minutes to cross the bridge due to the construction and subsequent traffic,” Ulrich writes. “While everyone acknowledges an 80-year-old bridge will often need repairs and maintenance work, the current repair job has taken more than two years, with no end in sight.”

In the letter dated October 26, Ulrich notes that the ongoing repairs have exasperated travel conditions on the Peninsula, where transportation options are already limited.

“I respectfully ask your office provide me and my constituents with a detailed timeline of the rest of the project and take every possible step to expedite that process,” Ulrich adds. “The Rockaways remain a transportation desert and the Marine Parkway Bridge is one of the only routes off the peninsula. It’s imperative the bridge return to full capacity as quickly as possible.”


Kim Visits Urban Farming Class

Assemblymember Ron Kim/Facebook

Assemblymember Ron Kim (D-Whitestone, Flushing, College Point, Murray Hill) today will visit the Evergreen Community Garden during a natural agriculture class.

Kim plans to speak on the importance of sustainability and a self-reliant production in the face of climate change. He will be highlighting his support for the class and the larger green economy movement, and be joined by several prominent local community leaders.

The event is slated for 2 p.m., today Nov. 1 at the Evergreen Community Garden, 47-18 Colden Street near the Kissena Corridor Park.