“In a city where one in three Black students cannot swim, expanding equitable access to public pools and swimming programs is a matter of safety and justice. Water safety has been a focus for the Council, and we are proud to have passed legislation to require access to free swimming lessons for second-grade students, study possible locations for more public pools, and report on drowning deaths. With additional state capital investments into pools, New York is taking significant steps to advance equitable access to swimming skills that are critical for all New Yorkers. I applaud Governor Hochul for prioritizing this important issue that was a focus of my 2023 State of the City as part of her agenda for our state.”

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