Marty Helps Present Groundbreaking Conference with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

On October 31st, Marty partnered with the Greater Southern Brooklyn Health Coalition, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and other New York City health care agencies on an innovative and groundbreaking conference, Direct from D.C. - The United States Department of Health & Human Services: Accessing Resources For Your Community, at the New York Marriott Brooklyn. Almost one thousand people representing local grassroots organizations across New York City learned of the many funding programs that are available and how to navigate the HHS system. The conference was also a valuable opportunity for leaders of local health and social service agencies to meet and network with some of HHS' top staff. Deputy BP Yvonne Graham, founder and past CEO of the Caribbean Women's Health Association, gave a presentation on citywide health disparities and the unique position of faith-based organizations in delivering important social services and positively impacting the quality of health and social service delivery. Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott was also on hand for the event. HHS' Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives introduced a helpful new booklet, "Guide to HHS Grants for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives," to help grassroots organizations better access HHS' programs. Copies of these materials can be obtained from the Center's website at www.hhs.gov/fbci.

Marty Honors Polish Heritage Month at Borough Hall

On October 28th, Marty honored Polish Heritage Month and a number of Polish-American Brooklynites, who have made so many valuable contributions to the borough. The honorees included Sophie Chabrowski, the Editor-in-Chief of Glos The Voice which is a Polish-English tri-state publication; Europa Club - a Polish-American cultural club which provides entertainment to Brooklynites of all ages and ethnic backgrounds; Christine Holowicz - a dedicated community activist who has worked tirelessly to raise public awareness on all issues effecting Polish-Americans; Richard Zawisny - a devoted community leader and the owner of Eagle Provisions that sells delicious Polish delicacies; and the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union - the largest ethnic federal credit union in the United States that has been serving with distinction for more than 25 years the Polish-American and Slavic communities of New York and New Jersey. The reception was graciously underwritten in part by the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union. A special thanks to the fine Brooklyn business participants - Adamba Imports International, Inc., Christine's Polish Restaurant, Cracovia, Eagle Provisions, The Garden, Paramount/Eber Brothers, Polish & Slavic Center, Steve's Meat Market and Syrena's Bakery.

Historic Weeksville Renovation Underway

On October 29th, Marty joined Senator Hillary Clinton, State Comptroller Carl McCall and many others in a groundbreaking ceremony for the restoration of the four Hunterfly Road Houses, which are the last remaining buildings in the pre-Civil War community of Weeksville. The BP will contribute almost $4 million in funding for this historic project. "Weeksville is one of Brook-lyn's and our country's most incredible landmarks. Its historic homes are a testament to the tremendous resolve of Brooklyn's African American community before and following the Civil War and continue to be a source of inspiration and pride for the community today," Marty said.

New York City Moves One Step Closer to Hosting 2012 Olympics

"I am thrilled that the United States Olympic Committee has chosen New York City to be our country's representative to potentially host the 2012 Summer Olympics," said the BP. "I also want to thank Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff and NYC2012 Executive Director Jay Kriegel for their years of hard work in trying to bring the games to New York City. They all deserve gold medals! Brooklyn is the perfect representative of the Olympic movement - we are the home to everyone from everywhere. That is why our borough should naturally play a key role in helping to stage these spectacular games, which would showcase and be a huge economic benefit to both the borough and to the entire city. I am looking forward to working with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Doctoroff, Jay Kriegel and NYC2012 to make sure that the rest of the world will come to New York City and Brooklyn for what will go down in the record books as the greatest Olympic games ever held."

Marty Angrily Reacts to Navy Recruiter's Suggestion that Most Bushwick High School Students Aren't Fit to Serve

"I am incredibly angry and outraged that Naval Commander Edward Gehrke, recruiting chief for the New York City region, believes that most students at the Bushwick Outreach Center and Bushwick High School can't pass a Naval qualifying exam and 'most have too many drug and/or police issues to even be considered for enlistment,' said the BP. "To make such a blanket condemnation of an entire group of hard working and dedicated Brooklyn students is ridiculous, incredibly demeaning and just plain wrong. Many Brooklynites have made and will continue to make the ultimate sacrifice by serving our country with distinction. I do not want a single Brooklyn high school student to be dissuaded by Commander Gehrke's asinine assertion. Brooklyn's talent pool is incredibly rich, and Commander Gehrke should spend more time aggressively recruiting in our high schools throughout the borough and less time discouraging potential recruits."

Brooklyn Mourns Losses

Our borough's sympathies go out to Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs and her family on the passing of her loving and devoted husband, Jerry. Brooklyn also lost 69th Precinct Auxiliary Officer Irene Clermont who died last week while on duty at the precinct. She leaves behind her husband and two children.