Brooklyn Mourns Fallen Marine

"All of Brooklyn is mourning the death of Marine Lance Corporal William White from Bushwick, who was killed Friday in a vehicle accident in Iraq," Marty said. "Corporal White, 24, was supposed to be discharged next February, and he planned on coming back home to work in law enforcement or join the Fire Department. He is a hero to his family, Brooklyn and our entire country. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Mychelle, and his entire family during this incredibly difficult time. For all other Brooklyn families with loved ones fighting for our country in the Middle East, we hope and pray that this tragedy is never repeated."

Marty Joins With Brooklyn's Hospitals in Protesting Governor's Devastating Proposed Budget Cuts

On March 28th, Marty joined with Senator Carl Andrews, Senator Seymour Lachman and representatives from several Brooklyn hospitals including Beth Israel Hospital - Kings Highway, Interfaith Medical Center, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Kings County Hospital, Long Island College Hospital, New York Community Hospital, New York Methodist Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Woodhull Medical Center and Wyckoff Heights Medical Center to protest Governor Pataki's budgets cuts that will devastate local hospitals. The governor is proposing to cut $134 million from Brooklyn's 17 hospitals by increasing their taxes, while cutting the state's contributions to Medicaid. "We are here today united by our outrage," Marty said. "These proposals must be stopped before they cost any lives - and believe me, they may cost lives. Brooklyn is blessed to have some of the finest health care institutions in New York City, but they won't be able to continue providing quality care without this crucial funding. Governor Pataki, you can never sacrifice lives to balance this or any other budget. New York is a national city with national needs, and we will fight until all of our critical healthcare needs are met."

Only in Brooklyn . . A Girl From Red Hook Becomes an Elected Official in Greece!

On March 28th, Marty welcomed home Athens, Greece City Councilwoman Yvette Jarvis for a very special Borough Hall celebration. Councilwoman Jarvis, who grew up in Red Hook, made history last year when she won her City Council seat. She is the first African-American person and one of the few foreign-born Greek citizens to win public office. "Only in Brooklyn could a girl from Red Hook grow up to be a political trailblazer in the birthplace of democracy," Marty said. "Brooklyn is so proud of her becoming the first Brooklynite to win an elective office aboard, and we wanted to welcome her home in style. This unique celebration combines both her past and her present. But, as I always say, once a Brooklynite, always a Brooklynite!" Yvette Jarvis' story is pure Brooklyn. After graduating magna cum laude from Boston University, she was planning on attending Harvard Law School, but her heart took her out of the classroom to Greece. During her more than 20 years in Greece, Ms. Jarvis has held a number of high profile jobs: professional basketball player, model, television personality, singer and, most recently, city councilwoman. Reverend Eugene Pappas delivered the invocation. Congressman Ed Towns, Senator Carl Andrews, Senator Martin Golden, Assemblyman Michael Gianaris, Assemblyman Matthew Mirones, Senator Kevin Parker, Assemblyman Nick Perry, Assemblywoman Annette Robinson, Councilwoman Tracy Boyland, Councilwoman Yvette Clarke and Councilman Vincent Gentile were also on hand to honor Councilwoman Jarvis. Marty presented this event with the Hellenic American Women's Council, HAWC, and the Alliance of Brooklyn Black Women's Service Organizations. A special thanks to Hellenic American Committee Chairperson Basil Capetanakis, American Hellenic Women's Council Founder Stella Kokolis and Alliance of Brooklyn Black Women's Service Organizations Committee Chairpersons Sybil Gowdy and Ethel Thompson.

Lincoln High School, NY State Basketball Champs, Honored At Borough Hall

On March 27th, Marty honored Coney Island's Abraham Lincoln High School at a Borough Hall ceremony for capturing back-to-back Public School Athletic League championships and the New York State Class A title. "Lincoln High School has proved, once again, that the basketball capitol of the world is Brooklyn!" Marty said. "You have shown that you can achieve your dreams with enough hard work and dedication."

24/7 Jazz Brooklyn Kicks Off on April 1st!

Brooklyn's first borough-wide jazz festival comes alive with the historic launch of 24/7 Jazz Brooklyn, a month-long event in April, in celebration of the borough's thriving jazz scene. The festival, organized by Marty, the 24/7 Jazz Brooklyn Committee, and in partnership with the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, promotes the exciting jazz spirit throughout Brooklyn today. All the events will be listed on Marty's website, www.brooklyn-usa.org. People can also call 718-802-3875 to get a schedule by mail or call 718-802-4488 to hear the weekly schedule of events throughout the borough. Sponsors include Best of Brooklyn, Brooklyn Brewery and Con Edison.

Marty Remembers Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan

"Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan left his mark on this city, state, country and across the globe," Marty said. "In addition to his invaluable contributions to the Senate, he was both a scholar and a statesman. Senator Moynihan easily moved from the academic to the political world because he never lost sight of what was happening in the real world. He was known for identifying new problems and innovative solutions. He never stopped thinking about ways to make our world a better place to live in. We will miss his passion and his intellect, but his legacy will certainly live on."