Officials Urge Residents to Donate to Haiti Relief

As images of the devastation caused by last week’s earthquake in Haiti continue to spur New Yorkers to open their wallets and donate to the relief effort, local elected officials are urging residents to help in any way they can.

United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been especially active since the natural disaster rocked the nation of 10 million people. First, along with Senator Charles Schumer, she introduced legislation to temporarily waive tax deduction limits on all charitable contributions for relief efforts in order to provide a boost to donations.

“The tremendous damage in Haiti is horrifying and sobering for all of us as New Yorkers and Americans,” said Gillibrand. “The outpouring of support from individuals across the country is inspiring, but there is more we can do… I pledge that I, along with my colleagues in Congress and the Obama Administration, will continue to do everything we can to bring relief to the people of Haiti.”

To avoid falling prey to scams, the senators are urging donors not to respond to any unsolicited e-mails seeking donations, not to give personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions and to use online resources to verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations, instead of following a purported link to the group’s site.

In the days following the earthquake, Gillibrand also pushed the Obama Administration to provide temporary status to Haitians now living in America. This designation will allow Haitians to continue living and working here for the next 18 months, which will avoid forcing them to return immediately to their devastated country. Gillibrand also pressed the State Department to help orphaned children, prioritize orphanages in Haiti for assistance and ensure that Haitian-American parents fleeing the island can leave with their children.

Prior to last Tuesday’s earthquake, there were about 20,000 children living in Haiti’s 187 licensed orphanages, and the U.N estimates there was a total of 380,000 before the disaster.

Last Friday, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), State Senator Toby Stavisky (D-Whitestone) and Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) gathered with religious leaders and Red Cross representatives to urge New Yorkers to contribute to emergency relief funds established for the earthquake victims.

“No words can adequately describe the devastation and suffering that has struck the people of Haiti,” said Crowley. “In one day the lives of millions have been drastically changed forever… The earthquake has destroyed hospitals, schools and homes, leaving millions without food, water, basic infrastructure and medical assistance.

“The destruction is so bad that the Red Cross has run out of supplies,” continued Crowley. “Please join me in donating to the relief – donate whatever you can – no matter how small. If every Queens resident contributed just $1 each then we could raise nearly $2.3 million in relief of those who need it most. Everyone should take a moment to pray for those suffering in Haiti”

Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven) is also urging New Yorkers to donate to the Red Cross or other trusted charities. “The global community mourns the tragedy of such a catastrophic natural event, and we will work together to repair and rebuild Haiti,” he said. “We can help. We must help. We will help.”

Senator Joseph P. Addabbo: "I'm Ready"

Pledges Tireless Service at Ceremonial Swearing In

By Patricia Adams

The official swearing in of Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. as state Senator took place in Albany on January 1. But the pomp and circumstance at the state capital could hardly replace the show of support and pride paid the new senator at a second ceremony held on Saturday morning.

The standing room only crowd comprised of family, friends and constituents filled the auditorium of PS 60 in Woodhaven, during the ceremonial swearing in for the new senator. Addabbo supporters were joined by a host of elected officials including Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Anthony Weiner, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, former City Council colleagues John Liu, Liz Crowley, Eric Gioia, Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi and City Controller Bill Thompson.

One by one standing at the podium governmental colleagues showered praise on Addabbo. His commitment, fortitude, determination and integrity were all included their descriptive narratives. But then it came time to hear from the man himself Senator Joseph P. Addabbo. “Ladies and gentleman, thank you so much. The reason that we do ceremonial swearing in is to give me the opportunity to say thank you. Thank you, because you are the reason I am standing here today.”

Addabbo went on to thank the individuals who played pivotal roles in his campaign, his career and his life. He went as far back as his political science teacher from Archbishop Molloy, to the staff of PS 60 who painted the auditorium themselves for the special occasion, the choir of MS 210, his staff and the more than one-thousand volunteers who turned out on Election Day.

To his family Joe Addabbo gave the credit of not ever having been able to do it without them. But there were special thanks for one particular person. “I cannot do it alone. I definitely need someone behind me to support me 24/7,” said Addabbo. “And if you think I have a hard job, how about a working mother with a 2-year-old and a four-year-old. A husband in Albany—my wife is a phenomenal person and I want to thank Dawn for all she does and continues to do.”

Addabbo went on to thank all the elected officials who had spoken before him, joking that he would “pay them for their kind words later.” On a more serious note, the senator went on to thank one elected official who was not in the room, his father, the late Congressman Joseph P. Addabbo Sr.

“He taught me a lot about how to be a successful public servant and one thing he taught me was how to listen and act on what people are telling you; to look at a people’s problems not through our eyes but through their eyes. You can only see the magnitude and seriousness of the problem when you look at it from the person that comes to you.”

Sen. Addabbo went on to offer a pledge to his constituency---to listen to all the residents in his district and to act on their concerns and suggestions. “I promise to represent you to the best of my ability. That includes all the people, seniors, children, parents, the working people of my district, all of you.”

He also pledged to work tirelessly, every day and maintained that his policy of a 24/7 hotline will remain in effect because he believes that’s what the people are entitled to. And the new senator unveiled his plan and promises for the future. “I understand the job that I do. It has a long and strong impact on the people I represent. I understand the gravity of it all. So I’ll tell you this--- I’m ready.

Ready to make those hard decisions. Ready to stand up for education and to make sure we spend money properly for the programs in our schools and deal with mayoral control. That’s why we do our ceremony in a school today because education is so important.” Addabbo went on to cover more crucial issues.

“I’m ready to expand healthcare so that we can cover more people and make it more affordable. I’m ready to protect public safety throughout our community. Ready to protect the character of our communities and safeguard against destructive measures such as overdevelopment.”

And as he closed his remarks to the crowd, Addabbo offered a picture of the future. “We cannot let hard times stop us. We cannot be crippled we must move forward together and shape a positive future. We are New Yorkers. We face every challenge before us and we go forward. We must look at government differently; end party politics and work together to make things better for the people. That is the focus. When you come to me you will find an open hand, an open door and an open mind. I ask not only for your cooperation but for your patience. I am proud and deeply grateful to be your state senator.”