“Today we honor the brave men and women who have put their lives on the line for this country. The New York City Council is proud to support our troops today and every day. I wish all New Yorkers a happy Veterans Day and encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the tremendous sacrifice of those in our armed services, and to thank friends, family or loved ones who have served.”
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“I am delighted to hear that Dr. Spencer has made a full recovery and will be released from Bellevue Hospital. New York’s response to this ebola case has been exemplary and I thank the dedicated staff at Bellevue Hospital and our City’s first responders for providing top-notch care to Dr. Spencer and for their work to keep New Yorkers safe.
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“New York City couldn’t be prouder with the nomination of Loretta E. Lynch to be our country’s new U.S. Attorney General. As U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Loretta has proven herself to be a fighter for justice, unafraid to tackle corruption or crack down on cybercrime. Loretta Lynch is an outstanding public servant and I look forward to working with her and the Obama Administration on smart policies that will protect and ensure the rights of all Americans.”
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“For too long, communities throughout the country have been waiting for Congress and President Obama to make good on their promises of immigration reform and it’s long past due for them to finally deliver. The President made a political decision to delay executive action until after the election – a decision that was wrong, short sighted and only led to more families being callously split up by an immigration system in desperate need of reform.
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“The makeup of NYPD’s top officials must reflect the full diversity of New York City as we seek to strengthen police-community relations which for too long have been strained. I am pleased with the appointment of Ben Tucker as First Deputy Commissioner and look forward to working with him and Commissioner Bratton as we continue efforts to bring the police and the communities they serve together in order to create an even safer City while instituting policies that are more fair and just for all New Yorkers.”
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“For too long, the Department of Correction has been rife with the mismanagement and mistreatment of inmates, and the Council’s oversight has only served to further shed light on the deep-seated issues plaguing the DOC.
We thank U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara for spearheading investigations and urge Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Ponte to appoint new leadership that will commit to implementing transparent and humane policies that will keep the public safe, maintain the dignity of the City’s jailed population and resolve long-standing allegations of abuse and neglect at Rikers Island.”
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NEW YORK—Today, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, American Museum of Natural History President Ellen Futter, Council Members, and the New York Housing Authority Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye kicked off the Family Science Program, a Council-sponsored initiative that funds free museum visits and programming for families in NYCHA housing. The program will allow children and families to explore the natural world through engaging exhibitions, workshops, and interactive activities with museum staff.
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Council will also vote on legislation relating to posting of penalties for assaulting taxi drivers
City Hall – Today the City Council will vote on groundbreaking legislation to limit the NYPD and DOC’s honoring of ICE detainers. The Council will also vote on legislation requiring that Taxi and Livery vehicles post warnings of the criminal penalty for assaulting a driver.
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“Oscar de la Renta’s creativity, boundless passion, and eye for unique beauty embodied the promise of New York. His meteoric success as a Dominican-born designer in the United States opened countless doors for the generations of young Latino and Latina designers and artists who followed in his footsteps, and he will remain an inspiration for every immigrant who comes to this country in pursuit of their own American dream.
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“Today’s court decision upholding the ban on marriage equality in Puerto Rico is tremendously disappointing, mean spirited and an injustice for everyone who believes all people must be treated equally. As a Puerto Rican, I know we are sensible, humane, inclusive and respectful people. We love our LGBT brothers and sisters and we stand with them in the struggle for equality and justice.
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