NEW YORK STATE SENATOR

SHIRLEY L. HUNTLEY10TH SENATORIAL DISTRICT

VOLUME 6

FORGING AHEADISSUE 1 JANUARY - MAY UPDATE

PENINSULA HOSPITAL

On May 10, 2012 Senator Huntley spoke at the Knights of Columbus Center in Far Rockaway about the Peninsula Hospital Closure. She discussed the bill she passed into law that required community input and healthcare options after a hospital closes.

This situation is very similar when Senator Huntley was fi ghting the closure of Mary Immaculate Hospital in 2010. Since 2008 four hospitals have closed in Queens.

HONORING SHIRLEY N. MOORE

On March 30, 2012 Senator Huntley honored Shirley N. Moore an advocate and community activist. Shirley N. Moore was recognized posthumously upon the occasion of the co-naming of a section of 150th Street between Rockaway Boulevard and North Conduit in Queens, New York in her honor.

AUGUST MARTIN SCHOOL CLOSURE

On April 16, 2012 Senator Huntley joined parents, students, and various community leaders to voice their concern and anger over the proposed closing of August Martin High School. Over 24 schools in New York City will be forced to close as directed by the Bloomberg Administration.

I AM “TRAYVON MARTIN” PRESS CONFERENCE

HONORING WILLIAM SAMBER JR.

On March 30th members of the Tuskegee Airmen, Veterans, his daughter and friends of Mr. Samber gathered in Senator Huntley’s District Offi ce to view the reading of a resolution honoring Mr. William Samber, Jr. and all his accomplishments.

In Albany on March 26, 2012 Senator Huntley and her Democratic colleagues from the Senate and Assembly wore hoodies in support of Trayvon Martin a young man who was targeted and murdered.

NAACP PRESS CONFERENCE

On March 21st, Senator Huntley attended a NYS NAACP Press Conference which discussed the new redistricting maps that disenfranchised minority voters.

CONTACT NYS SENATOR SHIRLEY L. HUNTLEYALBANY OFFICE:Legislative Offi ce Bldg.Room 508Albany, New York 12247(518) 455-3531 (Tel.)(518) 426-6859 (Fax)

DISTRICT OFFICE:161-10 Jamaica AvenueSuite 504Jamaica, New York 11432(718) 523-3069 (Tel.)(718) 528-3670 (Fax)

www.huntley.nysenate.govshuntley@nysenate.gov

Shirley L. Huntley

UPCOMING EVENTSJune 28, 2012Elder Law Domestic ViolenceJune 30thWigs for Cancer SurvivorsAugust 11th6th Annual Family and Friends Day @ Roy Wilkins Park

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 1 JANUARY - MAY PAGE 2

FORGING AHEAD

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE ADVICE AT AUGUST MARTIN HIGH SCHOOL

3RD SPEAKER’S BUREAU

On January 11th, Senator Shirley L. Huntley, community advocates, and the school leaders of August Martin High School continue to provide students with real world examples of success and speakers that would help increase academic achievement and civic involvement.

SEND A FEMALE VETERAN A VALENTINE

On February 11, Senator Shirley L. Huntley (D-Jamaica) visited and presented Valentine’s Day gifts and flowers to several female veterans at the New York State Veterans Nursing Home at the St. Albans Veterans Hospital.

DUNTON GARDENS BLOCK ASSOCIATION VISIT SENATOR HUNTLEY

Representatives from Brooklyn-Queens Land Trust to discuss the benefits of Community Gardens with Senator Huntley on February 12th.

APPRECIATION DAY CEREMONY BREAKFAST

On February 10, 2012, Senator Shirley L. Huntley paid homage to the Board Members of Community Education Councils 27, 28, Community District Education Council 29 and Executive Board members of Parent Associations and Parent Teachers Association from the 10th Senatorial District at an Appreciation Day Ceremony Breakfast honoring these outstanding individuals, who volunteer their time and energy to enhance the educational environment of our children.

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER HEARING

1/18/2012: SENATOR HUNTLEY MEMORIALIZING THE 83RD BIRTHDAY

OF THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. (SESSION)

SENECA NATION OF INDIANS VISITS SENATOR HUNTLEY

1/18/2012: Pictured from L-R: Robert Odawi Porter, President /CEOTravis Jimerson, Tribal Councilor and Legislative Specialist and Tribal Councilor Richard Nephew

On February 29th, Senator Shirley L. Huntley attended a Veterans Committee Hearing on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that affects veterans returning from combat.

41ST ANNUAL NYS BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, HISPANIC,

AND ASIAN CAUCUS WEEKEND

The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, & Asian Legislative Caucus held its 41st Annual Youth Conference from February 17th – 20th. The mission of the Caucus is to be united by a common interest in empowering and revitalizing peoples and communities of color, particularly African-Americans, Puerto Ricans, Hispanic-Americans, Asian-Americans and other minorities.

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 1 JANUARY - MAY PAGE 3

FORGING AHEAD

2012 NYS SENATE WOMEN OF DISTINCTION ARDEANE GREENE-COOK

On May 15, 2012 Senator Huntley presented the Women of Distinction Award to Ms. Ardeane Greene-Cook. Ms Greene-Cook is an Army Veteran and a recipient of the Good Conduct Medal.

STAND DOWN AT THE PROCTOR HOPSON VFW POST #1896

Senator Huntley organized the “Stand Down” at Proctor Hopson VFW Post #1896, to provide veterans around the area with supplies and clothing. It also was an opportunity to welcome back home soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq. Senator Huntley spoke with veterans regarding pressing issues and concerns that were affecting their lives and community.

On May 22, 2012 Colonel Stephanie E. Dawson was inducted into the NYS Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. In 2011 she retired with 32 years of service in the U.S. Army and the recipient of numerous military awards which included the Bronze Star.

2012 NYS SENATE VETERANS HALL OF FAME - COLONEL STEPHANIE E. DAWSON

DAY CARE MEETING AT AUGUST MARTIN HIGH SCHOOL

On May 21, An emergency meeting between community members and parents to discuss declining slots for children in Southeast Queens as well as New York City’s ACS Day Care Programs. Senator Huntley has written a letter to Mayor Bloomberg regarding the impact these closures would have.

A WALK THROUGH TIME:“THE RESIDENTS OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS, ALWAYS COME FIRST!”

- SENATOR SHIRLEY L. HUNTLEY

Important legislation Senator Huntley has either Introduced, Passed in the Senate, Co-Sponsored, or was Signed into Law

• Voted “Yes” to increase funding for the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC), ensuring seniors don’t have to pay more than $20 co-pay nor 25% of prescription drug cost. • IntroducedSenateBillS.4282toincreasetheannuityof blind veterans or spouses of deceased blind veterans to $1500. • Voted“Yes”andco-sponsoredS.1987-B-Establishes “Dignity for All Students Act” which affords all students an environment free of any harassment that substantially interferes with their education, regardless of the basis of the harassment, and free of discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex. This bill was signed into law in 2010 and takes effect in July of 2012. • IntroducedS.6728,thepurposeofthislegislationisto criminalize endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person. This bill was signed into law in 2010 and increases the penalties against somoene who endangers the lives of people who belong to our most vulnerable population. • IntroducedHospitalClosurePlanningActS.7483-A,which was signed into law in 2010. The bills allows for community input on the impact of a hospital’s clos ing on access to health care in the surrounding community and require the department of health to identify the measures which the department and other parties have taken or will take to mitigate such impact. • Voted“Yes”andsupportedTransitionalJobs-providessubsidized employment in fields such as child care, health care, social and human services, transportation, and construction. Job preference is given to people who are unemployed, formerly incarcerated, and youth18-24.

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 1 JANUARY - MAY PAGE 4

FORGING AHEAD

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AT ROCHDALE VILLAGE

A WALK THROUGH TIME: “EVENTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS!”

Senator Huntley has participated in a National Night Out every year she’s been in office. In the picture above Senator Huntley took part in the 25th Anniversary of National Night out which occurred in Rochdale Village in 2008. National Night Out is designed to heighten crime, drug prevention awareness, strengthen police-community partnerships, and generate support and participation in anti-crime programs.

1ST ANNUAL SENIOR APPRECIATION WEEK IN 2007

Senator Huntley celebrates her Annual Senior Appreciation Week Luncheons in at Rochdale Village since 2007. Since being elected in 2006, Senator Huntley has made addressing issues that affect seniors as one of her main priorities. Keeping open senior centers, funding the EPIC program, fighting for affordable housing, and conducting healthcare workshops.

GROUND BREAKING AND CREATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL 48Q

P.S./I.S. 48Q received $56 million for a new building, which included three additional grades and double capacity due to the efforts of local officials. Senator Shirley L. Huntley joined administrators from P.S./I.S 48Q, local elected officials, parents, and community residents to break ground in the 18-month construction project.

On October 14, 2011, The William Wordsworth School-P.S./I.S. #48 celebrated the ribbon cutting of it new building. This event has been in the making for quite some time as Senator Huntley played an instrumental role in securing a location for the school. Since being elected in 2006 she has continued to lead an effort to reduce overcrowding within schools in her district.

(Right) On January 25, 2011, Senator Huntley speaks about how important college funding is to careers and jobs in our community.

BRINGING JOBS AND SUPPORTING FAIR WAGES FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Senator Huntley is a co-sponsor on the Minimum Wage Bill S. 6335 and fully supports increasing the Minimum Wage for working class families.

(Left) On November 19, 2010, Senator Huntley joined Delta Airlines, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and John F. Kennedy (JFK) Air Terminal as they broke ground on their $1.2 billion expansion of Terminal 4 at JFK Airport that is expected to generate 10,000 jobs in the New York Metro Region through direct airport jobs and construction related work by 2014.