MARTY RINGS OPENING BELL OF THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE

On November 1, Marty and wife Jamie rang the opening bell of the stock exchange on behalf of all Brooklynites. “I’m proud to report that Brooklyn is well represented on the trading floor and I’m confident that when financial institutions are looking for new talent, they will look no further than the hardest-working and most dedicated work force — Brooklynites,” said Marty. “I never dreamed as a chubby boy growing up in Crown Heights that I would be standing here today at the New York Stock Exchange. It just goes to prove that all things are possible.”

MARTY MOURNS DEATH OF NATIONAL GUARD SPEC. SEGUN AKINTADE

On November 3, Marty issued a statement mourning the recent death of Flatbush resident and National Guard Specialist Segun Akintade, who was killed in Iraq while conducting combat operations with the New York Army National Guard, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment.
“Brooklyn extends its deepest condolences to the family of Specialist Akintade,” said Marty. “A native of Nigeria, he came here in search of the American Dream for himself and his family. We mourn the loss of this courageous soldier and brave Brooklynite, and we admire the sacrifice that he has made out of love for his adopted country. We hope all who hold him dear will be comforted by the prayers and thoughts of millions of New Yorkers.”

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH $1.1 MILLION GRANT SUPPORTS BROOKLYN’S FIRST CENTER ON HEALTH DISPARITIES

At a November 3 Borough Hall event, it was announced that the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) has given Brooklyn a $1.1 million grant over the next three years to help establish the Brooklyn Center on Health Disparities. Marty joined Congressman Major Owens; Dr. John C. LaRosa, President of SUNY Downstate Medical Center; Dr. Luther T. Clark, Chief of Cardiology at SUNY Downstate; and Dr. Ruth Browne, Executive Director of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, at the announcement. The funds will initially focus on reducing disparities in health care related to cardiovascular disease in Brooklyn’s communities of color. Marty said he was fulfilling a 2002 promise to address these inequalities. “I’m proud to announce the first step to attaining that goal has been achieved,” he said. “For far too long, Brooklyn’s diverse communities have represented a disproportionate share of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and AIDS cases. This Center will help Brooklynites of every race, ethnicity and income level receive the world class quality of health care that they so richly deserve.”

MARTY ENCOURAGES BROOKLYNITES TO DONATE FUNDS TO SUPPORT GRACIE’S LIFE-SAVING OPERATION

Marty proclaimed November 6 “Amelia Gracie Day” at a special block party in honor of 3 ½-year-old Amelia “Gracie” Harpham, who was born in 2001 with a mysterious bone marrow disease that left her dependent on blood transfusions to survive. When her brother Gabriel was born, there was only a 25% chance that he would be a blood-type match. Miraculously, he was, and will be donating his stem cells this December in a three-month bone marrow transplant to help Gracie at Duke University in North Carolina. The procedure will cost an estimated $85,000. “It’s a tragedy when anyone is diagnosed with a serious disease, but your heart feels even heavier when a three-year-old is fighting the battle of her life,” said Marty. “Brooklynites are known for their generosity toward neighbors in need, and Gracie’s community is no exception. Gracie, Brooklyn is rooting for you!”

Donations to support Gracie’s operation can be made online by visiting the Children's Organ Transplant Association at www.cota.org and designating that the contribution is for Amelia Grace. Checks made out to "COTA for Amelia Grace" can be sent to Children's Organ Transplant Association, 2501 COTA Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403. COTA is a non-profit organization, and all the money COTA receives for Amelia Grace will go straight to the family

MARTY PROTESTS THE MTA FARE HIKE & SERVICE CUTS ALONGSIDE
UNION LEADERS, TRANSPORTATION ADVOCATES & ELECTED OFFICIALS

On November 10, Marty; Assemblymembers James Brennan, Adele Cohen, Joseph Lentol and Joan Millman; Roger Toussaint, President of Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100; Peter Killen, Executive Director of Bay Ridge Consumer Federation; and other transportation advocates from the Straphangers Campaign and Tri-State Transportation Campaign protested the MTA’s proposed fare hikes and service cuts and called on the MTA to stop placing the burden on straphangers to solve its budget problems. “The MTA has to take responsibility for its financial history, and share the sacrifice with transit riders,” said Marty. “At times like this, Brooklynites and New Yorkers don’t need token gestures like closing fewer token booths — we need accountability from the MTA and the governor, and we need a vision for the future that puts fare hikes and service cuts where they belong — last on the list of options.” The officials also called unfair proposals to increase tolls on bridges and tunnels, including the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, as well as the City’s express buses, which many Brooklynites living in areas underserved by public transportation rely on for commuting and getting around town.

FIRST-EVER “IFTAR” RAMADAN DINNER HELD AT BOROUGH HALL

On November 10, Brooklyn Muslims from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Albania and the nations of the former Yugoslavia broke the fast at an “Iftar” dinner at Borough Hall, the daily breaking of the fast of Ramadan. Marty noted that it was the first-ever Iftar at Borough Hall, following on the heels of the first-ever Ramadan celebration in October. “We are proud to join millions of Muslims around the world in honoring the Ramadan holy month of purification, sanctity and fasting,” said Marty. “Brooklynites know that our vibrant, generous and peaceful Muslim communities from all over the world are a big reason why we can take pride in being the most diverse city anywhere.” At the dinner, Marty honored Debbie Almontaser, New York City educator, activist and member of Women in Islam; Wael Mousfar of the Arab Muslim American Federation; and Amir Abdullah Muhammed Abdul-Akbar, Executive Director of the Caribbean-American Program for Empowerment for their commitment to helping their respective communities.

BOROUGH HALL’S SECOND SWEET POTATO PIE SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST TAKES THE CAKE

On November 13, Marty and Best of Brooklyn, Inc., hosted “How Sweet It Is!,” Brooklyn’s second annual sweet-potato pie scholarship contest at Borough Hall. Geraldine Kennedy of Fountain Christian Center won first place; Shirley McClain of Greater St. Paul AME Church took second prize; and Patricia Chrichlow of Women Ministry at Wayside Baptist Church won third prize; and Aprele Elliott of Mt. Paran Baptist Church and Leslie Garcia of Project Reach Youth received honorable mention for their pies. Each winner received scholarship money for her affiliated house of worship or community group and a special engraved silver plate. Scholarships included $2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second place, $1,000 for third place and $500 for the two honorable mentions. “Nothing makes me happier than bringing Brooklynites together, especially when it’s for a good cause and it involves Brooklyn’s best home cooking,” said Marty. “The sweetest part of this contest was that the winning bakers received scholarship dollars for their organizations to distribute to Brooklyn young people!” More than 40 Brooklyn groups participated in the borough-wide competition.

BROOKLYN MOURNS

Grover Foster, Deacon of Mount Sinai Baptist Church and former president of the Patio Gardens housing complex

Beverly Williams, Executive Pastor of Elim International Fellowship