BROOKLYN MOURNS THE LOSS OF SERVICE MEMBERS, AT HOME AND ABROAD

Marty joins Brooklynites, New Yorkers and all Americans in mourning the loss of Brooklynites who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the lives of others.

Brooklyn Police Officer William Rivera of the 78th Precinct died in November as he was recovering from injuries he sustained in October while chasing a suspect in Park Slope. Officer Rivera spent his entire 12 year career serving the residents of Brooklyn, made over 260 arrests and received numerous citations for excellence. Brooklynites hope his family, including fiancé and fellow Brooklyn Police Officer Rebecca Rodriguez, will be comforted by the prayers, thoughts and admiration of millions of New Yorkers.

Brooklyn extends its deepest condolences to the family of Brooklyn native Sgt. Pablo A. Calderon, 26, who was killed in Fallujah, Iraq on November 30. This brave Brooklynite lost his life when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Sgt. Calderon was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in Fort Hood, Texas. We mourn the loss of this courageous soldier and honor the ultimate sacrifice that he has made.

And Brooklynites share the feelings of grief of the family of Park Slope resident Cpl. Joseph O. Behnke. Cpl. Behnke, 45, who was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery Regiment in Brooklyn and was killed in a vehicle accident in Iraq on December 4. We mourn the loss of this courageous soldier, father of five and grandfather of five, and honor the ultimate sacrifice he has made. Cpl. Behnke not only had a deep respect and love for our country, he also pleaded with his friends and family to send food and clothes so he could help the children of Iraq. We admire Cpl. Behnke for his willingness to put his own life in danger and for his deep compassion for all those who are suffering.

MARTY PRAISES ALBANY FOR MOVING TOWARD EDUCATION FUNDING INCREASE

On December 2, Marty issued a statement commending Albany for taking an important step toward approving additional education funding of $5.6 billion in operating aid and $9.2 billion in capital funds for New York City schools, fulfilling the judgment earlier this year for the Campaign for Fiscal Equity. “Take one look at the services and course offerings in suburban public schools, plus their level of musical instruments, science labs, arts programs and sports facilities, and you will immediately see how New York City public school students have been shortchanged for far too long,” said Marty. “We don’t want to reduce funding for suburban schools, but rather uplift ours to their level. I call on Governor Pataki, Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to make this funding a reality — because Brooklyn’s children deserve no less.”

BROOKLYN’S NEW LITERARY COUNCIL OPENS THE BOOK

On December 3, Marty joined Brooklyn authors, publishers, editors and literary agents to announce the formation of the Borough President’s Literary Council, and to tout its exciting plans for Brooklyn’s own world-class publishing and book fair in 2006. Throughout its history, Brooklyn has been home to famous authors including Walt Whitman, Marianne Moore, Arthur Miller, Maurice Sendak, and W.H Auden. Today, young writers like Jonathan Lethem, Colson Whitehead and Maggie Estep and publishers like Akashic books, Soft Skull Press, and The Brooklyn Rail are adding to Brooklyn’s literary legacy. The Literary Council includes top writers, editors, publishers and agents who live and/or work in the borough. “This stellar group of experts are going to help us write the next chapter in Brooklyn history,” said Marty. “By working together, we can raise the profile of our established literary community and bring them the national and international recognition they deserve. Brooklyn literature has more perspectives than there are books in the Central Branch — while also possessing a spirit that puts us all on the same page.” Jay Kaplan of the Brooklyn Public Library and Johnny Temple, Council chairperson and editor-in-chief and publisher of Akashic Books, which published Brooklyn Noir earlier this year, also spoke at the event.

MARTY LIGHTS UP THE HOLIDAY SEASON

On December 7, Marty joined hundreds of Brooklyn families to light the Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht Menorah, the largest menorah in Downtown Brooklyn. The event was a collaboration between the Borough President’s Office, Congregation B’nai Avraham and the Chabad of Brooklyn Heights. Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin from Congregation B’nai Avraham led the ceremony and kosher holiday treats were served. “During the festival of lights, we remember how the Jewish people fought and overcame persecution, and we affirm our commitment to upholding the ideals of religious freedom,” said Marty. “In Brooklyn, we are fortunate enough to enjoy the freedom that millions around the world are still seeking. So I offer a prayer that in the years ahead all of G-d’s children everywhere will share the same peace and freedom that we cherish here in Brooklyn.” Marty also helped light the menorah at Grand Army Plaza and on Brighton Beach Avenue.

On December 9, Marty flipped the switch at Borough Hall Plaza to illuminate the spectacular 35-foot Balsam Fir Christmas tree, which this year was donated by the Brooklyn Terminal Market Merchants Association and decorated by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. The audience was serenaded by the beautiful sounds of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, under the direction of Dianne Berkun.

JEWISH CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OPENS ON BROOKLYN’S OWN “MUSEUM MILE”

On December 7, Marty joined Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson and Devorah Halberstam to dedicate the Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn, the first museum of its kind anywhere in America. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and other elected officials and members of the community also helped cut the ribbon for the new museum. “This groundbreaking museum is a perfect addition to Brooklyn’s Museum Mile,” said Marty. Eastern Parkway in Central Brooklyn is also home to the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. “The Jewish Children’s Museum is about educating young people about Judaism, and more — it is about helping our kids be aware of the things that all individuals of every faith, every race and every culture share, as well as the differences that make us unique —because in Brooklyn we cherish the knowledge that we are all children of one G-d.” The Museum was dedicated to the late Ari Halberstam, who was killed on the Brooklyn Bridge at the age of 16 when a gunman opened fire on a crowd of Orthodox Jewish students.

MARTY SUPPORTS MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE IN NEW YORK STATE

On December 8, Marty issued a statement supporting the State Legislature vote to increase the minimum wage in New York to $7.15 an hour by 2007, up from the current $5.15 an hour.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that the minimum wage has been increased, because it will help to ease the burden of our city’s hardworking families who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Marty. “It’s a small step, but an important step, that should have been taken years ago to help our City’s lowest paid workers build a better life for themselves and their children. I commend Speaker Sheldon Silver, Assembly Member Joe Lentol and other members of the Brooklyn delegation in the Assembly and the Senate for fighting to make this increase a reality.” Marty also thanked the Working Families Party and the labor unions for their efforts on the issue.

BROOKLYN MOURNS

Joel Cimineri, proprietor with his wife, Louise, of the legendary Neptune Avenue pizza parlor Totonno’s, and devoted father and grandfather. Totonno’s was founded in 1924 by Louise’s grandfather Anthony Pero, and remains open for business.

Stephen Miller, a leader of the Sheepshead Bay Historical Society and co-author of Brooklyn's Gold Coast: The Sheepshead Bay Communities, as well as a member of Community Board 15, was a great Brooklynite.