STATE OF THE BOROUGH ADDRESS SET FOR THURSDAY EVENING AT THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM

Marty will deliver the annual State of the Borough address this Thursday, January 27, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, located at 200 Eastern Parkway . The event is open to the public and will feature many special guests. More information is available at www.brooklyn-usa.org.

MARTY MARCHES IN BROOKLYN ’S EIGHTH ANNUAL THREE KINGS DAY PARADE

On January 9, Marty joined Brooklyn ’s Latin American community at the Eighth Annual Three Kings Day Parade. Serving as Grand Marshal, Marty led the parade down Avenida de Puerto Rico (aka Graham Avenue ) in Williamsburg from Meeker Avenue to Debevoise Street . After the parade, the “Three Wise Men” distributed toys to local children. “Just as many of you celebrated Three Kings Day as children in Puerto Rico , the Dominican Republic , Mexico , and all the many countries of Latin America , we are proud that Three Kings Day is now also an annual tradition for the children of Brooklyn ,” said Marty. “So I wish you all a Happy Three Kings Day — Feliz Día de Reyes Mago.” Three Kings Day is celebrated on January 6 to commemorate the biblical story of the Three Wise Men, or Magi, who traveled to Bethlehem to give the baby Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The holiday is popular throughout Latin America and Hispanic communities in the United States . In many countries it is Three Kings Day, rather than Christmas Day, when gifts are exchanged.

MARTY HONORS THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

On January 17, Marty, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Medgar Evers College hosted the 19th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Come Share the Dream,” at BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House. Brooklyn Deputy Borough President Yvonne J. Graham served as Master of Ceremonies. Tony Award-winning artist and activist Melba Moore, Broadway actress Lillias White and the Brooklyn Ecumenical Choir of Bedford Stuyvesant performed in honor of Dr. King’s legacy, and Ms. Moore delivered the keynote address. “Each year we come together to keep alive the memory of what Dr. King stood for and fought for,” said Marty. “We come together to remind ourselves — as Brooklynites and New Yorkers — that as the African-American and Caribbean-American capital of America, we have a special responsibility to ensure that Dr. King’s legacy is as influential for future generations as it has been for all of us here today. The march toward the day when our young people will truly throw off the last vestiges of injustice, inequality, and self-limitation began with Dr. King’s leadership of the Civil Rights Movement — and it’s a march that Brooklynites continue to lead, guided by the spirit of courage, compassion and community Dr. King preached so powerfully and so eloquently.” Other speakers at the gala event included Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, Congressman Anthony Weiner, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, City Council Speaker Gifford Miller, BAM President Karen Brooks Hopkins, and Medgar Evers College President Dr. Edison O. Jackson.

MARTY URGES MTA TO IMPROVE TECHNOLOGY BEFORE REMOVING TRAIN CONDUCTORS

On January 18, Marty issued a statement urging the MTA and New York City Transit to make maintenance improvements to escalators and tracks in order to improve riders’ security and confidence, rather than replacing human conductors on the L line wit a computer-operated system. The L is scheduled to switch to computer control later this year. “The MTA must fix and maintain today’s technology before we can have faith in its ability to install and operate the complex systems of the future,” said Marty. “Train conductors not only keep the subways running on time and make the system more user-friendly, they alert emergency personnel and bring passengers to safety in the event of a fire, power outage, or other disruption. To [MTA Executives] Peter Kalikow and Katherine Lapp — it’s time to get the escalators in motion at Court Street, and at all stations in Brooklyn and throughout the system.”

MARTY TESTIFIES THAT GREENPOINT-WILLIAMSBURG WATERFRONT REZONING PLAN NEEDS IMPROVEMENTS

At a public hearing on January 19, Marty urged the City Planning Commission to reject the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Rezoning Plan in its current form. Marty urged the City to guarantee a minimum of 30% affordable housing at the site , to provide more open space, displacement protection for current neighborhood residents, preservation of local jobs and small businesses, and additional firehouses, and to improve public transportation in the area. Among his recommendations for making the Plan work better for all Brooklynites were : a comprehensive renovation of McCarren Park; plans for immediate continuous waterfront access; more parks, specifically in Greenpoint; the reopening of the “People’s Firehouse,” Engine Company 212; and improved subway service on the G and L lines to accommodate increased ridership. For a copy of the full report, please visit the Borough President’s website at www.brooklyn-usa.org.

BROOKLYN MARRIOTT CELEBRATES EXPANSION

On January 20, Marty joined Mayor Bloomberg, Marriott Northeast Region Senior Vice President Steve Sharple and Muss Development Company President and CEO Joshua Muss to break ground on the 24-story expansion of Brooklyn ’s Marriott Hotel. The expansion, expected to be complete by Fall 2006, will create 280 more rooms and additional retail space along Adams Street . The pedestrian plaza between Adams and Jay Streets will have new street furniture, lighting and landscaping, and a two-level pedestrian bridge will be created to link the expansion to the existing hotel. “The Brooklyn Marriott’s decision to expand proves that the business community, along with Brooklyn ’s tourism industry, is growing by leaps and bounds,” said Marty. “The additional space means that even more people will be able to enjoy our world-class restaurants and museums, unique neighborhoods and, of course, to experience Brooklynites’ long-standing reputation for being reserved, subtle and polite.” Council Members David Yassky and Letitia James, Economic Development Corporation President Andrew M. Alper and NYC & Company President and CEO Cristyne L. Nicholas also attended the event at Downtown Brooklyn’s Renaissance Plaza .

BROOKLYN MOURNS

Russell E. Bonanno , Adelphi Academy teacher, coach of drama, golf and baseball, and lover of Moby Dick, touched the lives of so many students and educators in his more than 45 years at the Bay Ridge school. He will be dearly missed.