Senate Democrats Form New Task Force To Help Eradicate Domestic Violence in New York Homes
June 18, 2008
(Albany, NY) Senate Democrats are calling for tougher laws on domestic abusers and holistic family support systems for victims in New York as the number of incidents continue to increase in some parts of New York.
Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson (D-Bronx/Mount Vernon) has formed the Senate Minority Task Force on Domestic Violence to look at new ways to combat the escalation in violent acts committed against family members, loved ones and children. A key component of the 10-member Task Force will be to review current legislation and state programs to determine whether consolidation is needed.
Hassell-Thompson said that ultimate goal is to keep families together.
“The escalation of violence in the home has a negative impact on every mother, father and child in a family,” said Senator Hassell-Thompson, Chair of the Task Force. “Some current procedures for handling domestic violence cases are erratic because there is no uniformity or conformity among law enforcement officials.”
Senator Hassell-Thompson said that New York state’s diversity also plays a role.
“Knowing that culture plays a major role in how domestic violence is viewed we must ensure that the upmost sensitivity is employed when providing services to victims,” Senator Hassell-Thompson said. “Through the creation of this Task Force the Senate Democratic Conference takes the stance that domestic violence is unacceptable.”
According to a five-year study by the State Department of Criminal Justice Services, there were up to 450,000 domestic incidents reported to police departments throughout the state from 2001 to 2005. Last year, New York City Police responded to 229,354 domestic violence incidents-about 600 incidents per day. The same year, domestic violence investigators made 76,602 home visits, a 98 percent increase since 2002.
Strikingly, federal statistics show that more than half of all domestic crimes went unreported.
The new Task Force will work in conjunction with the related Domestic Violence Advisory Committee. Together both entities will refocus statewide efforts to stop domestic abuse and to assure that action is always on the minds of state leaders.
State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith said, “Domestic Violence should never be in the shadows.”
“Victims of domestic abuse can carry their physical and emotional scars for a lifetime,” said Senator Smith (D-St.Albans). “We all must look to bolster and improve support for victims, as well as, to strengthen measures to combat continued acts of domestic violence.”
Members of the Senate Minority Task Force on Domestic Violence, include Democratic Senators Smith, Hassell-Thompson, Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn), Darrel J. Aubertine (D-Cape Vincent), Neil Breslin (D-Albany), Efrain Gonzalez Jr. (D-Bronx), Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck), Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn) and Eric Schneiderman (D-Manhattan/Bronx).
Each senator will appoint two members to the Task Force’s Advisory Committee. The committee will engage in open dialogue throughout the state with social workers, victims and community members.
Using community recommendations as a compass, the Task Force will reshape how lawmakers examine domestic violence, victim services and community outreach.
Senator Smith said that the ultimate goals of this renewed effort to eradicate domestic violence is to improve services for victims and survivors and toughen penalties for abusers.
Currently, there are nearly 50 domestic violence bills in both houses to strengthen protections and penalties. Using committee recommendations the Task Force will set out to meet the challenges each family faces when confronted with domestic violence issues. Through family, community and education outreach, hopefully, new solutions will be found to understanding the causes and ways to prevent domestic violence.
Senator Hassell-Thompson said that the committee will be committed to increasing public awareness. It will also suggest ideas and strategies to improve the delivery of services to victims and survivors. It will also support educational efforts and advocate for victims and their families.
“The purpose of both the Task Force and committee is to look at and take on a new approach as to how we deal with domestic abuse,” said Senate Democratic Whip Kevin Parker. “First and foremost, we need to look to our community members statewide who is impacted by domestic abuse. We need from them what can work better in supporting all victims.”
PHOTO: Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson (D-Bronx / Mount Vernon) is joined by Democratic Senate colleagues, Assembly members and advocacy groups to announce the formation of the Senate Minority Task Force on Domestic Violence. The Task Force is calling for tougher laws on domestic batterers and holistic family support systems for victims in New York state. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrwdJEEcozc
Senate Democrats Call on Republican Colleagues To Meet Half Way On Paid Family Leave Bill
June 13, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) With Father’s Day this Sunday, Senate Democrats are calling on the Republican Majority to move legislation to the floor guaranteeing Paid Family Leave to New Yorkers before the end of session.
State Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith is heading the end of session charge with the entire 30-member Democratic Conference, each of whom signed a letter addressed to Senator Thomas Morahan (R-New City) in support of S.8428.
With 30 Senate Democrats and four Republicans for the bill, there is enough Senate support to sign the bill to law if Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Brunswick) would bring it to the floor.
“This is not a time for partisan politics. This is a time for something that is good for the people and good for our families. This is a family issue, it has nothing to do with one-up-menship. It’s about a new born child that deserves attention and an elderly family member that needs assistance,” said Senate Minority Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D-Queens).
Senate Democrats urged Senator Morahan to move the bill this session. The Assembly passed a similar bill sponsored by Speaker Sheldon Silver last year. It was passed the last day of the 2007 legislative session.
“This bill is about our families, it is about our parents, about our children. It is about helping our family in a time of need and making sure that our professional responsibilities can be put aside for the time being while we take care of our families,” said Senator Craig Johnson (D-Nassau).
This June marks the second consecutive year Senate Democrats have called for the passage of Paid Family Leave legislation proposed by Morahan. While federal protections are in place like the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), guaranteeing workers 12 weeks unpaid leave to care for the sick or newborns, many families can’t afford to take the time off without pay, said Senator Johnson.
The Paid Family Leave proposal would use the Disability Benefits Law, within the Worker’s Compensation Law to provide for the paid benefit. The proposal would amend the law’s definition of disability to include family leave. Purposes for leave would include: caring for an ill parent, child, spouse, domestic partner or grandchild, or to bond with a new born or newly placed foster child.
Without paid leave in New York families are forced to weigh their personal lives against their professional lives. The scales are rapidly tipping in favor of the later, said Johnson.
Many New Yorkers can’t afford to go without a paycheck and because of that elderly parents may not get the attention they need and parent-child relationship could suffer; or worse, fail to develop.
More than 50 percent of Americans are not offered paid family leave at their jobs, said Dan Cantor, Executive Director of the Working Families Party of New York. So far, three states have established Paid Family Leave, California, Washington and New Jersey, who passed the legislation last month.
“It’s time to give working families a hand up in a time of need. This is a bill that can get done. The Assembly passed it last year, Senator Morahan has a bill in now. We are getting close and we need to get it closer still,” said Cantor.
Morahan’s bill has four other Republican sponsors in the senate. Senate Democrats are calling on Senatator Bruno to join Republican Senate colleagues, Joseph Robach (Rochester), Serphin Maltese (Queens) and Caesar Trunzo (Brentwood), in support of Paid Family Leave.
Senator Smith added: “We have a formula for Paid Family Leave and my colleagues are on board. We just need Senator Bruno to cross the aisle and take a stance.”
PHOTO: (Albany, NY)-Senate Minority Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D-Queens), center, joined by other state lawmakers, both Republican and Democrat, calls on Senate Republicans for passage of paid family leave legislation in New York.
State Legislators Convene Emergency Citywide Summit in Response to Recent Shootings
June 2, 2008
(New York, N.Y.) State and local elected legislators today joined law enforcement officials and community leaders for an emergency meeting in Harlem to discuss strategies to “stop the violence” following a rash of neighborhood shooting incidents across the city that left several dead and many wounded.
During the past three months there have been several dozen shootings taking the lives of several teenagers and left many wounded. The meeting was called after the random shootings in Harlem, the Rockaways, Jackson Heights, Prospect Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant.
State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D-St. Albans) said that the Summit was especially necessary because “we are losing a battle much greater than any one official.”
“We as public officials, clergy, and community leaders must take a more aggressive approach to coming up with solutions to stop the growing gun violence on our city streets,” said Senator Smith, one of the event’ organizers.
Law enforcement officials presented crime status reports on recent shooting incidents and steps being taken to stop the violence. Officials and community leaders exchanged ideas during the roundtable discussion and developed an immediate action plan.
Participants in today’s roundtable discussion announced the creation of ‘Operation SNUG’, the word ‘guns’ spelled backwards.
This initiative will consist of:
S treet intervention and stopping the violence
- violence interrupters
- support for police and law enforcement
N ational state local funding support
- funding for all alternatives
- legislation that can help implement solutions
U se of celebrities and centers
- public relations and materials
- existing community centers, new bunkers and community offices
G angs, guns, gainful employment
- real-world gang awareness and prevention initiatives
- connections to employment and economic alternatives
There will be four meetings held to follow up on the initiative’s progress, one for each point.
Governor David Paterson said, “Gun violence is one of the most serious issues facing our city and state. Innocent lives - too often children - are ended because of trivial disputes and carelessness. I applaud Senator Smith for bringing together some of the leaders in the fight to get gun off the streets and out of the hands of criminals.”
Meeting organizers included Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith; State Senators Bill Perkins(D-Harlem), John Sabini (D-Jackson Heights), Eric Adams(D-Brooklyn), ranking member of the Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee; Assemblymen Keith Wright (D-Harlem) and Darryl Towns (D-Brooklyn), leader of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus.
In Brooklyn, 44 shootings within the past three months occurred in the Brooklyn South division of the Police Department officials said, including at woman being shot in the hip. In that case, police arrested and charged an unidentified 32-year-old man.
“The recent escalation in the number of shooting incidents impels responsible legislators to promulgate an action plan to combat the scourge of gun violence,” said Senator Adams. “The voices of our constituents call for the prevention of such tragedies; in my own district there has been impassioned outcry from all ethnic and economic groups.”
While police have made some arrests, several murder suspects remain at-large because witnesses have refused to come forward.
Senator Adams said that it was “imperative” for elected and community leaders to collaborate on reaching solutions “to make our city a safer place.”
“The criminals who wound and murder our fellow citizens make a mockery of our outrage over the Sean Bell shooting and cripple our efforts to prevent a repetition of the terrible incident,” said Senator Adams, a retired New York City Police Officer. The bullet from an illegal weapon pierces not only the flesh of our loved ones, but the emotional body of our family as well. Even the substance of the larger community is wounded. We must protect our citizens from the disastrous effects of gun crimes.”
In Far Rockaway, one week after teenagers Brandon Bethea and Tyreece Johnson were fatally shot in two separate incidents, eight individuals were wounded during the Memorial Day holiday weekend in Harlem.
Senator Bill Perkins (D-Manhattan) said: This latest explosion of gun violence reminds us that we must be vigilant in getting guns off the street and out of the hands of the wrong people. We have to focus on finding, arresting, prosecuting and convicting those responsible for brining and distributing these guns in our communities. We have to cut off the supply. It is going to require all of us- growing problem. We need more police protection without harassment. We need more training, education, and employment opportunities. We have to provide parenting, social and anger management skills. Something we all can do is…-WHEN WE SEE A GUN, WE HAVE TO CALL 911. These are some of many measures that need to be taken if we are going to seriously put an end to gun violence.”
Charles Fisher, chairman of the Harlem-based Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council, Inc. said that his organization has partnered with corporations and media outlets “to implement initiatives to address the drugs, illegal guns, and growing gun violence that is plaguing our communities.”
“With the closing of youth centers, along with gas, food, unemployment, and foreclosures on the rise, it’s going to be tough on us all for a while, especially our youth and young adults,” Fisher said. “We have to let our youth know that we are serious to help stop the violence.”
The citywide Summit in Harlem follows a similar meeting at the Redfern Houses community center in Far Rockaway several weeks ago where Smith, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, Assemblywomen Michele Titus (D-Far Rockaway), Audrey Pheffer (D-Ozone/Rockaway Beach), City Councilman James Sanders (D-Far Rockaway), and community leaders met to construct a plan to stop violence in the area. The group’s action plan included securing public funds to put up video surveillance cameras, opening up the shuttered community center, and putting additional police manpower on the streets.
Also in attendance at today’s meeting were: Congressmen Charles Rangel (D-Manhattan) and Gregory W. Meeks (D-Jamaica/Far Rockaway); Assembly Member Herman D. Farrell, Jr (D-Manhattan); Council Members John Liu (D-Flushing), Inez Dickens (D-Manhattan); State Committee Member Theresa Freeman; New York Police Department Chief Raymond Diaz, Manhattan North and Chief Thomas Dale, Queens South; Marques Claxton, 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement; Anthony Miranda, National Latino Officers Association of America; Norman Siegel, Civil Rights Attorney; Charles Billops, Grand Council of Guardians; Jean Corbett Parker, Harlem Mothers SAVE; Dr. Candice Kane CeaseFire Chicago; among others.
Additional statements were issued:
“The rise is gun violence is devastating communities around our city,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. “With crime going down across the board citywide, it’s completely unacceptable that neighborhoods in Queens and Brooklyn and parts of Harlem are being left behind. It’s time for officials at every level of government to come together and figure out how to make these tragic incidents as rare as possible.”
Photo: Standing/ State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith - Seated / Michael McDermott, Esq.
Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith and Senate Colleagues Protest Acts of Violence Directed Against Yonkers Senator
May 22, 2008
(Yonkers, N.Y) Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith joined by Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins(D-Yonkers), Senate Colleagues, and other local leaders outside her Yonkers legislative office expressed outrage over recent acts of violence that have occurred there.
“We will not tolerate any forms of violence or intimidation against any elected official,” Said Smith, a Democrat from St. Albans. “Such actions will not dissuade us from our mission to represent our constituents.”
In the last two months, Senator Stewart-Cousins’ office in Senate District 35 has reported different incidents to police on three separate occasions. In one incident, her office was broken into and computer records were accessed. In the next two incidents, what appeared to be bullet holes were found in her office, and shots may have been fired at her office. No one was hurt and all three incidents are currently under investigation by local police.
Senator Stewart-Cousins said: “As a public official, I hold a strong belief in an open-door policy so that all residents of my district have a voice and an opportunity to be heard. For one person or a group of people to jeopardize that openness through scare tactics is unconscionable, and will not deter me from performing my duties in service to our community.
Senate Democrats called for the public to come forward with information leading to the arrests of suspects involved in three separate incidents that recently occurred at the Yonkers office.
Photo: State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith
Senate Measure Strengthens Child Sex Abuse Crimes Legislation
May 21, 2008
(Albany, N.Y.) The second of a three bill package to combat child sex abuse sponsored by State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D – St. Albans) has passed the Senate unanimously.
The latest measure (S. 1862) creates a new section of the law against using children in a sexual performance involving alcohol or drugs, making it a class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in state prison.
“The safety and protection of our children is a paramount concern among all New Yorkers,” said Senator Smith. “With the Internet and other high-tech communications devices infiltrating all aspects of our life, both good and bad, more needs to be done to protect the most vulnerable among us.”
Another bill sponsored by Senator Smith (S. 4390) that was unanimously passed by the Senate last week allows for the use of hearsay evidence from sexually abused minors aimed at allowing the out-of-court testimony from a child less than 12 years of age to be admissible during a sex abuse trial.
“We must protect those who cannot protect themselves and this measure is geared towards that result,” Senator Smith said. “Children are the most precious parts of our family. We must protect children from being abused and neglected while providing a stable home environment. But when the system fails we must provide these children with a safe and secure setting that is essential to their healing, success and recovery.”
Senator Smith has been a longtime proponent of protecting children. Another measure he is sponsoring (S. 2438) is aimed at increasing penalties for crimes against children. The measure increases the penalties for the rape or sexual assault of a child under age five.
Regarding S. 2438, Smith said: “Something must be done in order to protect our youth from predators who wish them harm. Increasing the punishment offenders receive for raping children will help to deter future rapes and allow our children to grow up with a feeling of peace and safety.”
The bills must now be voted on by the Assembly.
Photo: State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith
Senate Measure Allows Use Of Hearsay Evidence from Sexually Abused Minors
May 14, 2008
(Albany, N.Y.) Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D – St. Albans) sponsored a bill (S. 4390) that was unanimously passed by the Senate aimed at allowing the out-of-court testimony from a child less than 12 years of age to be admissible during a sex abuse trial.
“We must protect those who cannot protect themselves and this measure is geared towards that result,” Senator Smith said. “Children are the most precious parts of our family. We must protect children from being abused and neglected while providing a stable home environment. But when the system fails we must provide these children with a safe and secure setting that is essential to their healing, success and recovery.”
Under the measure, the testimony would only be admissible if the sexually abused child:
1) is unable to testify in court or an official court proceeding; 2) has been determined to suffer possible severe trauma by testifying; 3) when the testimony of an individual is relevant to the case in question.
Senator Smith has been a longtime proponent of protecting children. Two other measures he is sponsoring are aimed at increasing penalties for crimes against children.
- S. 2438 increases the penalties for the rape or sexual assault of a child under age five.
- S. 1862 makes crimes against children involving alcohol or drugs a class D felony. This measure passed the Senate earlier this year.
“More still needs to be done to protect our children, the most valuable and vulnerable among us,” Senator Smith said. “Recognizing the significant safety concerns for our children, this measure (S. 1862) seeks to punish those who utilize controlled substances or alcohol in facilitating sexual performances by a child. By enacting the criminal offense of facilitating a sexual performance with a child with controlled substance or alcohol, the safety of our children will be further protected.”
Regarding S. 2438, Smith said: “Laws against sexual predators who commit crimes against children less than five years of age must be strengthened. Something must be done in order to protect our youth from predators who wish them harm. Increasing the punishment offenders receive for raping children will help to deter future rapes and allow our children to grow up with a feeling of peace and safety.”
The bills must also be passed in the state Assembly before they become law.
Federal Medical Marijuana Program Marks 30th Anniversary
May 6, 2008
(Washington, D.C.) A little-known federal government program that supplies medical marijuana to a handful of patients will mark its 30th anniversary on May 10.
The federal medical marijuana program — referred to as a Compassionate Investigational New Drug (IND) program — resulted from a lawsuit filed by glaucoma patient Robert Randall, who successfully showed that his use of marijuana was a medical necessity.
The program slowly grew for over a dozen years. In the wake of a flood of new applications from patients battling AIDS — who found that marijuana boosted their appetites and relieved the nausea often caused by anti-HIV drugs — the George H.W. Bush administration closed it to new applicants in March 1992, but continued supplying federal marijuana to those already receiving it. Four of those patients survive today.
“Most Americans would be shocked to know that the federal government supplies medical marijuana to patients while claiming that marijuana is a harmful drug with no medical value,” said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. “If federal officials believe their own statements, they’re knowingly poisoning four innocent people, but in fact they know better. The four remaining patients in the federal program have benefited from their medical marijuana use, groups like the American College of Physicians and the American Public Health Association have said that marijuana is a safe and effective medicine and, as a result, we must change the federal laws that prohibit medical marijuana.”
Officially, the Compassionate IND is a research program. Participants were required to sign a consent document calling the program a “study.” Yet the federal government has never studied the patients in the “study.” In fact, the only study ever published of these patients was privately financed and conducted.
“May 10 marks the 30th anniversary of federal hypocrisy and dishonesty about medical marijuana,” Kampia said. “When future historians see how much effort our government made to avoid learning that marijuana is a safe and effective medicine, they’ll shake their heads in disbelief.”
With more than 23,000 members and 180,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://MarijuanaPolicy.org.
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CONTACT:
Bruce Mirken,
MPP director of communications
415-668-6403 or 202-215-4205
Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith Convenes Emergency Legislative Meeting
April 30, 2008
(Albany, N.Y.) Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D-St. Albans) called a joint meeting between the NYS Senate Democratic Conference and NYS Assembly Members to take legislative action on police policies and procedures.
“There is no question that there is a need for a legislative response to past shootings and incidents that have been highly controversial,” said Senator Smith. “The proposed legislation that emerged from today’s meeting presented laws that will protect both our constituents as well as our law enforcement agents.”
The meeting took place in response to the controversial acquittal of three New York City police officers in the Sean Bell trial. Community residents have expressed outrage over the fatal November 2006 shooting of the bride-groom departing his bachelor party the morning of his wedding, said Senator Smith.
Law enforcement officials and fraternal organizations have also expressed concerns.
“The New York Congressional Delegation is exploring federal legislation to address police policy, nationally,” Smith said. “We, on the state level must now begin to reassert the faith of New Yorkers in the judicial process.”
Smith said that state legislators will also be seeking input from the law enforcement community on any legislation being considered.
Senator Eric Adams, Ranking Democrat on the Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime & Correction Committee said: “Now that the criminal court has spoken it’s imperative that the legislators put in place laws and procedures that will prevent a Sean Bell-type incident from taking place again. It is my belief that the Sean Bell incident revealed that there are many deficiencies in police policies and we have an obligation to address those areas of deficiencies.”
Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr. said: “On February 4th of 1999 our neighbor Amadou Diallo’s shocking death brought focus and determination to the struggle for Justice. More recently the tragic police shooting of Sean Bell, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield has sadly reminded us all about the urgent and dire need to stop police brutality, racial profiling, and the inexcusable use of excessive force which in this case resulted in the untimely death of Sean Bell. Now that the court has spoken it is necessary to pass into law the appropriate legislative measures to resolve the problems surrounding police misconduct once and for all.”
The cooperative assembly conceived five legislative issues that the Senate and Assembly Members will propose in their respective session, which included:
- Appointment of a special/independent prosecutor to investigate cases of police misconduct
- Training and protocol of police officers
- Crime scene protection and questioning of witnesses
- Videotaping of confessions and interrogations
- Mandating consent of a prosecutor for the waiver of a jury trial
Senator Neil D. Breslin (D-Albany) said: “Complaints against law enforcement officers should be handled in a comprehensive, immediate, and thorough investigation, which will be consistent throughout the State of New York.”
Senate members participating in the meeting included: Senate Deputy Democratic Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx), Senators William T. Stachowski (D-Buffalo), Martin Malave Dilan (D-Brooklyn), Ruben Diaz, Sr. (D-Bronx), Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Westchester), John Sampson (D-Brooklyn), Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), Bill Perkins (D-Manhattan), David J. Valesky (D-Syracuse), Velmanette Montgomery (D-Brooklyn), Jose M. Serrano (D-Manhattan), Efrain Gonzalez (D-Bronx), John Sabini (D-Queens), Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn), and Ruth Hassell-Thompson (D-Bronx).
Also in attendance was Assembly members Ruben Diaz, Jr. (D-Bronx), Vivian Cook (D-Queens), Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn), and Darryl C. Towns (D-Brooklyn), Chair of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican/Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus.
Smith said: “This issue does not just threaten New York City, but it threatens our State. I hope my colleagues across the aisle find the need for legislation just as important.”
Photo: Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith
Elected Officials React to Verdict in Sean Bell Murder Case
April 25, 2008
(Queens, N.Y.) Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D-St. Albans) and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined other elected officials in calling for calm today in Queens following the controversial acquittal in the Sean Bell murder case.
In light of the decision by the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the allegations from the community of police misconduct in the case, Sen. Smith, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens), and other elected officials from around the U.S. are scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C. on Monday. The elected officials appeared together today when they announced the renovation of the Workforce One Job Development Center. In a statement released today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it will initiate its own probe into the Sean Bell case.
“The past seventeen months have been extremely difficult on the families involved, as well as our community. With the verdict in, we must now look to begin the healing process. We must move forward as a community. No verdict can stop the pain of Nicole Bell, his widow, or his family.
It appeared that the evidence presented by the prosecution was compelling and conclusive. Based on our understanding of the evidence and the circumstances, three accused police officers fired a total of 50 bullets at three unarmed and innocent young men, killing Sean Bell and severely wounding Jose Guzman and Trent Benefield.
We will continue to support the Bell family and the survivors of the incident. Though we understand and share the frustration that many New Yorkers are feeling at this moment, we caution against giving into that frustration. Instead, we urge all who are disappointed with the decision to channel their energy into supporting the families’ intention to seek a special federal prosecutor. On behalf of our communities, we intend to file a complaint with U.S. Justice Department to investigate alleged police misconduct in this case. In the near future the Tri-Level Legislative Taskforce, which held city-wide public hearings, will release its final recommendation. We must remain committed to a justice system that is fair to all.” said Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith
Photo: (L-R) Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Queens City Councilman Thomas White(D-Queens), Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith(D-St. Albans), New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan), New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott, Small Business Commissioner Rob Walsh and Queens City Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-Queens).
Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith Reflects on Earth Day Inspiration
April 22, 2008
(Albany, N.Y.) Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D - St. Albans) released the following statement:
“As we mark the 38th celebration of Earth Day, the importance of protecting our planet becomes more critical with each passing year. Our goal in the Democratic Conference is to provide strong and sensible leadership in conservation, energy efficiency, and green initiatives.
Since its inception, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement. In 1970, Americans were primarily using leaded gas through massive V-8 engines in their sedans. Industries spewed smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or retribution in the media. Some even went as far as to equate air pollution as the smell of prosperity. But the creation of Earth Day turned all that around.
This year Senate Democrats have a strong set of proposals to help keep New York’s environment pristine. These proposals include reducing sulfur emissions in our home heating oil and school buses; redeveloping our brownfields to attract businesses and create jobs; safeguarding our working farms; forests and orchards against sprawl; and protecting our wetlands. And we continue to encourage energy efficient building practices, accelerating the move to green energy sources, and supporting the development of green jobs and green industries.
The global transition to clean, green energy will mean reduced levels of CO² emissions in the atmosphere, a smaller amount of climate chaos as well as less pollution of our air, water, and land. It means greater energy security for communities and nations, fewer conflicts over energy resources and sustainable economies with stable fuel prices.
As Earth Day was inspired by US Senator Gaylord Nelson (D – Wisconsin), I want to impress upon all New Yorkers to individually, leave the smallest footprint you can. When you save water, you’re saving the rivers and oceans. When you turn down the heat in winter, you’re turning down the heat on the planet. When you take the clean-fuel bus, you’re doing your part to let all children breathe easier. When you recycle, you save precious natural resources and keep pollutants out of the ground.
In order to save the Earth, we all must share in the responsibility.”
Photo: Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith
