Dressing For Success In Brooklyn!

On September 3rd, Marty and Congressman Anthony Weiner joined Genuine School Uniform by LONGSTREET in launching its third annual “Community Partnership Program” for Back-to-School 2003 at award-winning MS-61 in Crown Heights, with New York’s largest uniform retailer, Cookie’s Department Stores. Nationwide, LONGSTREET will donate 10,000 uniforms to underprivileged schoolchildren. “The Community Partnership Program is such an important initiative because it is dressing our young people for success. The school uniforms provide the students with a boost in self-confidence and help them sharpen their focus in the classroom. They are a critical reminder to these boys and girls that we care deeply about them, and we want them to achieve all of their hopes and dreams. This generous donation by Longstreet and Cookie’s will help them today, tomorrow and in the future,” Marty said. Longstreet is a leading manufacturer of school uniforms, children’s sportswear and accessories. The 50 year-old company’s headquarters are located in New York City. Cookie’s is the largest children’s department store and top school uniform specialist in the United States, supplying over 1,000 schools in New York City. The school uniform and general information hotline number is 718-797-3300.

Marty Helps Dedicate Grove Of Trees In Prospect Park To Honor Those Lost On September 11th

On September 4th, Marty joined Assemblymember Jim Brennan, Prospect Park Alliance President Tupper Thomas and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service Living Memorial Project to dedicate a grove of 25 trees in Prospect Park to remember those lost on 9-11. The Memorial Grove is located near Grand Army Plaza. “This touching tribute is a beautiful way to honor those who were taken from us on September 11th. This memorial will allow the families, and other park visitors, to remember and reflect upon those we lost in a natural and tranquil setting,” Marty said. “Over the years, these 25 trees will grow strong and sturdy. While they will never replace a loved one, these trees do symbolize the miracle of life and our hopes for the future.” The Memorial Grove was funded by the Forest Service Living Memorial Project, Prospect Park Alliance and individual donors. Brooklynites can still make donations by calling Robyn Bellamy at 718-965-8995.

Brooklyn Celebrates Our Fabulous Diversity!

On September 1st, Marty joined hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and tourists from around the globe who participated in one of New York City’s most colorful and dynamic events - the 36th Annual West Indian Day Carnival. “The costumes and pageantry were simply spectacular. The Caribbean capital of America is right here in Brooklyn, and our Caribbean family has played a pivotal role in making Brooklyn the greatest city in the world,” Marty said. Congrats to Sesame Flyers for being selected as “Band of the Year” for the 5th straight year! “Enough is enough – it is time to finally give another band a chance,” Marty joked. On September 6th, Marty attended the world’s greatest Irish celebration in the Drier Offerman Meadows in Coney Island. The 23rd annual Great Irish Fair, which raises money for Catholic Charities, was dedicated to all of those people serving in the armed forces. “Everybody is Irish in Brooklyn this weekend. Al O’Hagan did a spectacular job of organizing this world-class event! I’m looking forward to Brooklyn one day, in the not too distant future, having the largest Irish population in America,” Marty said. The honorees this year included Brooklyn’s own WNBC-TV President & General Manager Frank Comerford, who was designated the Chief Brehon or principal leader of the fair, and Kimberly Muldoon, a graduate student at Hunter College, reigned over the fair as the Colleen Queen. Keyspan Chairman & CEO Robert Catell was awarded the Round Tower Award, WNYW-TV reporter Mike Sheehan was presented with the Thomas Cuite Award and Daily News Boroughs and Suburban Editor Steve McFarland was presented the Bard Award.

Interesting Brooklyn Fact

38% of all Brooklynites were born outside the United States, according to recently released, county-by-county census figures. Kings County has the fourth most foreign-born residents in the nation. This is yet another example of why Brooklyn is the home to everyone from everywhere!

Brooklyn Mourns

21-year-old college student Anthony Bartholomew of Canarsie was tragically taken in a senseless killing at the West Indian Day Parade. Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with his mother, Carleita, his father, Roosevelt, and the entire family during this difficult time. On September 7th, Marty also attended the wake of Firefighter Michael Ragusa from Engine Company 279 in Red Hook, who is the final firefighter killed on 9-11 to be memorialized. Our thoughts and prayers are with his mother and father, Dee and Vincent, and his entire family.