BROOKLYN HAILS JUSTIN GATLIN — 100-METER OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST

On August 22, Brooklyn native Justin Gatlin raced to the gold medal in the 100-meter dash at the Olympic Games, with a scorching time of 9.85 seconds, his personal best. It was the fastest 100-meter dash in Olympic history, with five sprinters below the 10-second mark. Gatlin was born in Brooklyn in 1982, and grew up in North Carolina. Marty hailed Gatlin’s lightning speed and his Brooklyn-style dedication. “It is no surprise that the unofficial fastest man in the world has his roots in Brooklyn. We are proud of Justin Gatlin and know that his incredible finish in the 100-meter race will inspire future Olympic sprinters here in Brooklyn and across the world,” said Marty.

MARTY AND COUNCIL MEMBER YASSKY DECRY PLANS FOR NEW POWER PLANT ALONG GREENPOINT’S WATERFRONT

On August 24, Marty joined Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, State Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, Council Member David Yassky, members of Community Board #1 and Joe Vance from the Greenpoint Waterfront Association for Parks and Planning (GWAPP) at Kent Avenue between North 14th and 15th Street to oppose a new power plant on the Greenpoint/Williamsburg waterfront. Marty led the call for the New York State Siting Board on Electric Generation Siting and Environment to finally reject TransGas Energy’s proposal to construct and operate an 1,100 megawatt electricity-generating facility at the Bayside Fuel Site at Kent Avenue and the Bushwick Inlet, at the border of Greenpoint and Williamsburg. “The Greenpoint community has been under siege from industrial polluters for far too long,” said Marty. “This meeting has been postponed as TransGas continues to attempt to alter its application — enough is enough. Brooklyn demands that the Siting Board say no to TransGas’s proposal — a power plant does not belong on the Greenpoint waterfront.”

RUSSIAN-AMERICAN SOLDIERS HONORED AT BOROUGH HALL

On August 24, Marty joined the Be Proud Foundation and the American War Veterans of Russian Descent Committee (RAS) to honor Russian-American servicemen returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and other anti-terrorism campaigns. “On behalf of the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn, I wholeheartedly salute and thank the Russian-American men and women for their exemplary record of service to this great country, in upholding our precious democratic ideals, in ensuring the preservation of our liberty and freedom, and in fighting to protect our people and nation,” said Marty. The ceremony took on a more somber note during a special commemoration for Green Beret Captain Michael Tarlavsky. Born in Latvia, Capt. Tarlavsky, 30, was killed in Najaf, Iraq, on August 12, 2004. He was buried August 24 at Arlington National Cemetery. Tarlavsky leaves his wife, Tricia, and their 10-month-old son, Joseph Michael.

CAMP BROOKLYN MAKES KIDS’ DREAMS COME TRUE

On August 26, Marty welcomed more than 50 young campers back to Brooklyn who participated in Camp Brooklyn, an innovative program that sent 202 Brooklyn kids to camp for at least two weeks this summer with the American Camp Association New York’s Summer Camp Opportunities Provide an Edge (SCOPE) program. The children, age 7 to 16, attended 15 camps throughout the New York region. “Thanks to Camp Brooklyn, these young Brooklynites have had the experience of a

lifetime,” said Marty. “I know Camp Brooklyn has changed lives, because my experience at camp changed my life forever. Thanks to the generosity of Commerce Bank, Boar’s Head, the Blue Ridge Foundation and hundreds of Brooklynites from across the borough, more than 200 children spent part of this summer swimming, camping and exploring the wilderness.”

DOMINICAN PARADE ORGANIZERS HONORED

On August 30, Marty presented organizers of the Brooklyn Dominican Parade with a proclamation declaring September 12 the “Fourth Annual Brooklyn Dominican Parade and Festival Day in Brooklyn, USA.” This year’s parade was dedicated to Business People and the Dominican Childhood of Brooklyn. The parade’s queens joined the parade’s Founder and President Estella Jimenez to accept the proclamation. “The annual Brooklyn Dominican Parade and Festival is another great example of Brooklynites coming together to celebrate their heritage,” said Marty. “We truly are home to everyone from everywhere.”

MARTY JOINS BROOKLYNITES TO SAY “NO” TO PRESIDENT BUSH’S AGENDA AT “1,000 POINTS OF HOPE” RALLY

On September 2, Marty and other elected officials joined Brooklynites in Prospect Park for the “1,000 Points of Hope” rally, bringing candles and flashlights to protest what they called the Bush Administration’s anti-urban policies and to light the way for a better future. The rally coincided with others in New York and across the country. "When it comes to a second term, voters in Brooklyn should tell President Bush to fuhgeddaboutit — just like he has forgotten about Brooklyn and the City of New York,” said Marty. “The Bush Administration’s misguided policies have brought higher unemployment, increased
transportation fees, record-high gas prices, less affordable housing and less funding for education, while dividing Americans instead of uniting them, and turning back the clock on a women’s right to choose.” Attendees agreed, waving “Mission Not Accomplished” and “America Can Do Better” signs. “Brooklyn would be better off with John Kerry in office,” Marty continued. “He has a plan to fight terrorism alongside our allies and other freedom loving peoples and at the same time, he will work hard to enhance the quality of life for Americans at home.”

MARTY ENDORSES DIANE SAVINO FOR STATE SENATE SEAT

On September 2, Marty endorsed Diane Savino on the steps of Borough Hall as the best candidate for the State Senate’s 23rd District, which encompasses the North Shore of Staten Island and portions of several southwest Brooklyn neighborhoods, including Bensonhurst, Borough Park, Coney Island and Fort Hamilton. Savino is seeking the open Senate seat currently held by Seymour Lachman, who is retiring at the end of this term. “I spent 23 years as a State Senator, and I know how hard it can be to take on Majority Leader Joseph Bruno’s Republicans and fight for Brooklyn’s working families,” said Marty. “Although Diane Savino is from Brooklyn’s southwest suburb – a.k.a. Staten Island – she is a strong advocate for Brooklyn’s families and will fight hard to improve the quality of life of all Brooklynites.”