Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake (D), who is president of the
U.S. Conference of Mayors, delivers remarks at a National Press Club
luncheon and anwers questions from the invited audience.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Politics in Action: H.R. 538 and H.R. 702
STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
H.R. 538 – Native American Energy Act
(Rep. Young, R-AK, and one cosponsor)
While
the Administration supports the need to facilitate energy development
in Indian Country, it does not support H.R. 538, the “Native American
Energy Act.” The bill would undermine public participation and
transparency of review of projects on Indian lands under the National
Environmental Policy Act, set unrealistic deadlines and remove oversight
for appraisals of Indian lands or trust assets, and prohibit awards
under the Equal Access to Justice Act or payment of fees or expenses to a
plaintiff from the Judgment Fund in energy-related actions. By
foreclosing the Judgment Fund, this provision could negatively impact
the Indian Affairs budget that is intended to serve all tribes. In
addition, the bill’s changes to mineral leasing laws applicable to
Navajo Nation lands may adversely affect energy development on those
lands.
The
bill also stipulates that Indian lands are exempt from the Department
of the Interior’s hydraulic fracturing rule. That rule already contains
a provision allowing for variances from the rule’s requirements when
Tribal laws meet or exceed the rule’s standards. The rule’s approach
both protects environmental and trust resources, while also protecting
the decision-making role of the Tribes. Overall, H.R. 538 would not
ensure diligent development of resources on Indian lands.
The
Administration appreciates the Committee’s efforts to address energy
needs in Indian Country. Income from energy development is one of the
larger sources of revenue generated from trust lands, and delays in
development translate to delays in profits to Indian mineral rights
owners. The Administration has been taking meaningful action to update
the leasing process for lands held in trust for Indian tribes, and is
actively working to expedite appraisals, leasing, and permitting on
Indian lands, and to provide resources to ensure safe and responsible
development. The Administration looks forward to working with the
Congress to develop the reforms necessary to support such development.
H.R. 702 – To Adapt to Changing Crude Oil Market Conditions
(Rep. Barton, R-TX, and 137 cosponsors)
The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 702, which would remove restrictions on the export of crude oil.
Domestic
oil production has grown in recent years, strengthening our economy,
supporting new American jobs, and enhancing our energy security. The
Administration has taken important steps to support safe and responsible
production growth, including actions to cut methane leaks from oil and
gas operations, to protect water quality, and to improve offshore safety
in order to protect human lives and the environment from oil spills.
Legislation
to remove crude export restrictions is not needed at this time.
Rather, Congress should be focusing its efforts on supporting our
transition to a low-carbon economy. It could do this through a variety
of measures, including ending the billions of dollars a year in Federal
subsidies provided to oil companies and instead investing in wind,
solar, energy efficiency, and other clean technologies to meet America's
energy needs.
If the President were presented with H.R. 702, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.
Source: Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget
FBI Uncovers National Sex Dungeon Ring
By Kate Briquelet
In a clever sting operation, the feds nabbed creeps looking to buy ‘sex slaves’ for their home dungeons.
In March 2014, Steven Currence gave undercover agents a grand tour of the dungeon hidden inside his Montana home.
The
subterranean hellhole contained a heavy wooden cross and a smattering
of chairs. The walls were covered in whips, chains, and torture devices.
Currence boasted of blacking out the windows to dash any hopes of
escape.
Here was the sinister lair where the 65-year-old planned to lock his
sex slaves. One kidnapped woman would sleep in the basement torture
chamber, while the other would be chained to his bed—with a chain long
enough to reach the bathroom.
Currence believed he would soon purchase the women from the agents,
who posed as human traffickers. The creep previously told the agents
that he wanted a “housekeeper with benefits” who would “take care of
things, clean the house, take care of me,” court records reveal.
“These
slaves will never leave,” Currence said. “I’m not looking for love,
they’re just going to be in here and they are going to be serving.”
But
Currence wouldn’t be the one doing the shackling. Instead, the feds
cuffed him two months later when he traveled to Arizona to buy two women
at what he believed was a slave auction.
In September of this year, Currence was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Click here to read the full article.
Oval Office Chat Session: Dr. Joanne Liu, Doctors Without Borders International President
President Obama
spoke today by phone with Doctors Without Borders (MSF) International
President Dr. Joanne Liu to apologize and express his condolences for
the MSF staff and patients who
were killed and injured when a U.S. military airstrike mistakenly
struck an MSF field hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan. During the call,
President Obama expressed regret over the tragic incident and offered
his thoughts and prayers on behalf of the American
people to the victims, their families, and loved ones. Acknowledging
the great respect he has for the important and lifesaving work that MSF
does for vulnerable communities in Afghanistan and around the world, the
President assured Dr. Liu of his expectation
that the Department of Defense investigation currently underway would
provide a transparent, thorough, and objective accounting of the facts
and circumstances of the incident and pledged full cooperation with the
joint investigations being conducted with NATO
and the Afghan Government.
From The G-Man received the following report, at 3:13 p.m., after posting the aforementioned readout.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani
President Obama spoke today by phone with President Ashraf Ghani of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to commend the bravery of Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and to underscore that he looked forward to continuing to work closely with President Ghani and the broader Afghan Government to support their efforts to provide security for the Afghan people. The President expressed his condolences for the Afghan civilians killed and injured when a U.S. military airstrike mistakenly struck a Doctors Without Borders field hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan. During the call, President Obama expressed regret over the tragic incident and offered his thoughts and prayers on behalf of the American people to the victims of this incident, their families, and loved ones. President Obama and President Ghani reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership between the United States and Afghanistan and to continuing their dialogue about ways to deepen diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation to promote a more stable and secure Afghanistan.
From The G-Man received the following report, at 3:13 p.m., after posting the aforementioned readout.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani
President Obama spoke today by phone with President Ashraf Ghani of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to commend the bravery of Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and to underscore that he looked forward to continuing to work closely with President Ghani and the broader Afghan Government to support their efforts to provide security for the Afghan people. The President expressed his condolences for the Afghan civilians killed and injured when a U.S. military airstrike mistakenly struck a Doctors Without Borders field hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan. During the call, President Obama expressed regret over the tragic incident and offered his thoughts and prayers on behalf of the American people to the victims of this incident, their families, and loved ones. President Obama and President Ghani reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership between the United States and Afghanistan and to continuing their dialogue about ways to deepen diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation to promote a more stable and secure Afghanistan.
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
U.S.- Italy Relations
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Italian Minister of Defense
Roberta Pinotti hold a news conference with reporters in
Italy. Secretary Carter criticizes Russia’s involvement in Syria and
discusses U.S.-Italian relations.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Representatives Kevin McCarthy and John Boehner on the House Benghazi Committee
House Majority Leader McCarthy (R-CA), who is running to be the next
speaker of the House, defends the existence of the House Benghazi
Committee. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) also discusses criticism of
Representative McCarthy's comments on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, saying, "There is not one
American who, in the course of their lifetime, wouldn't rather have the
opportunity to say words over again."
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Senator Harry Reid Calls for the End of the House Benghazi Committee
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) calls for the end of the
House Benghazi Commitee Investigation. Senator Reid says the
investigation is acting solely to ruin former Secretary Hillary
Clinton's presidential campaign. "This was nothing more than a hit job on Hillary Clinton."
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Scott Stringer is Hurting the Homeless and the Needy
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York
You should know that there is an
article titled EXPERTS
SAY STRINGER’S REJECTION OF HOMELESS SHELTER CONTRACTS IS ‘ILLEGAL’
written by Jeff Stein from New
York NonProfit that appeared
in the October 6, 2015 edition of “City and State.” Mr. Stein wrote
about how “the current standoff
between Bill de Blasio and Scott Stringer over the registration of homeless
shelter contracts is far from shocking.”
As a New York State Senator here
in the South Bronx, and as the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy
Organization, I must say that it is deplorable for families and children
to languish in poverty and homelessness while New York City's Comptroller
- who lives in a penthouse - delays and denies payments for New York City
homeless shelter contracts.
I must also say that it is disreputable for Mr. Stringer to bolster his own public stature by refusing to sign contracts for homeless shelters while people are suffering, and organizations that rely upon City funding to serve the homeless are not even able to pay their bills.
You should already know that my
ministers and I work hard to support the efforts of the multitude of organizations
that serve homeless New Yorkers. We know that due to circumstances that
are often outside of our control, any one of us could become homeless overnight.
Most of us know that it is our duty and obligation to take care of
each other, and when someone or something becomes an obstruction, we have
a responsibility to shine a light on that person and demand for him or
her to be held accountable.
It is important to know that under
the New York City Charter, the Comptroller’s authority mandates the registration
of contracts unless: (1) there is not enough funding for the contract to
be paid; (2) if the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services has not certified
the contract; or (3) if there is reason to suspect corruption.
According to New York University
School of Law Professor Roderick Hills: “Given that none of the homeless
shelter contracts have been rejected on those grounds … For the comptroller
to slow down or stop the mayor’s contracting policy is frankly illegal.”
We all know about Mr. Stringer’s
personal ambition to become the Mayor of New York City; it’s no secret. We also know that Mr. Stringer has been extremely generous handing out
lawsuit settlement checks for high profile cases against New York City,
and has not missed any opportunity to glow in the media for each of our
tax dollars he has doled out.
Mr. Stringer's refusal to sign contracts
that the Mayor's office has approved shows that he is intentionally hurting
the most needy, and making community organizations that deal with the homeless
endure all kinds of problems. Many of the organizations that are
truly there for the homeless are being forced to borrow money from banks
to pay their bills without knowing if Scott Stringer will ever sign their
contract.
My dear reader, the homeless are
suffering. And the organizations that are fighting for the needy
are paying the consequences because of Mr. Stringer's vicious refusal to
sign their contracts.
Mr. Stringer should be trying to
help the organizations that serve the homeless to work out technicalities
and assist with any necessary paperwork - instead, he is beating them down
and casting them aside.
I am calling on New York City Comptroller
Scott Stringer to stop hurting the needy and to sign the contracts already
approved by the Mayor to allow homeless service organizations to pay their
bills and fulfill their obligations to serve the needy.
I am Senator Reverend
Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.
Boy's Superhero Mission Brings Smiles to NYC Cops
Zachary Becerra wants to thank every precinct in New York City by hand delivering superhero cards.
Candidates for House Speaker Try to Rally Conservative Support
The three candidates running to be the next Speaker of the House made their pitch to conservatives Tuesday night as the Republican conference tries to rally around a unifying candidate to lead the body going forward.
During a closed-door meeting just steps from the Capitol, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL), each took time laying out their vision for the party moving forward and answering questions from more than 50 members of the House Tea Party Caucus, Freedom Caucus, Liberty Caucus and Conservative Opportunity Group.
"It was a good discussion among colleagues that was indicative of the way things should be done," Rep. Mark Meadows (R- NC), told reporters as he left the meeting, characterizing it as a "deliberative mood" inside.
Click here for the full article and related video.
First Read: Team Jeb Bush Saturates the Airwaves
First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.
Team Bush is saturating the airwaves in the early states
By now, you probably know that Jeb Bush and the Super PAC supporting him are spending the most on TV ads in the presidential contest. But you might not know the extent to which Team Jeb is actually saturating the airwaves in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. Here is the ad-spending data, via NBC ad-tracking partner SMG Delta, for just this week alone (Oct. 4-10):
- Right to Rise (the pro-Jeb Super PAC): $1.9 million in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina
- Conservative Solutions Project (the pro-Rubio 501c4): $700,000 in IA, NH, SC
- Hillary Clinton: $490,00 in IA, NH
- America Leads (the pro-Christie Super PAC): $423,000 in NH
- New Day for America (the pro-Kasich Super PAC): $332,000 in NH
- Generation Forward PAC (the pro-O'Malley Super PAC): $155,000 in IA
- Club for Growth (airing anti-Trump ads): $138,000 in Iowa
- Believe Again (pro-Jindal Super PAC): $125,000
- Larry Lessig: $33,000 in Iowa
Source: NBC News
Men Attack, Shoot, Kill Transgender Woman in Philly
Kiesha Jenkins
By David Chang
Police are investigating the murder of a transgender woman overnight in Philadelphia.
Police say 22-year-old Kiesha Jenkins, of North Philadelphia, was dropped off on the 1300 block of Wingohocking Street around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. As she got out of the vehicle she was approached by at least five men who began to attack and beat her, according to investigators. After Jenkins fell to the ground, one of the men pulled out a gun and fired two shots, police said.
Jenkins was struck twice in the back as the suspects fled the scene. She was taken to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
Police say it's too early to determine whether or not the incident was a hate crime.
Click here for the full article and related videos.
Source: NBC News
Oklahoma Removes Ten Commandments Monument Under Court Order
"It's not a Republican, Democrat or independent issue," Fallin, a Republican, said at a news conference in Oklahoma City. "The Ten Commandments is a historical monument. We brought it to this location. We felt it was a good place to be able to display it properly so people could see it."
Click here for the full article and video.
Source: NBC News
Kunduz Airstrike: Doctors Without Borders Wants Unprecedented Probe
Doctors Without Borders called for an unprecedented international and independent humanitarian fact-finding commission on Wednesday into the deadly U.S. bombing of its hospital in northern Afghanistan.
The U.S. military has pledged a full investigation and admitted the airstrike on the Kunduz hospital — which killed 22 people — was a mistake.
Doctors Without Borders — also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF — has called the airstrike a war crime.
Click here for the full article and video.
Source: NBC News
DNA Research Deployed in War on Cancer Scoops Nobel Prize
Reuters, 07/10 15:34 CET
By Daniel Dickson and Ben Hirschler
STOCKHOLM/LONDON (Reuters) –
Three scientists from Sweden, the United States and Turkey won the 2015
Nobel Prize for Chemistry on Wednesday for working out how cells repair
damaged DNA, providing new ammunition in the war on cancer.
Detailed understanding of DNA
damage has helped drive a revolution in cancer treatment as researchers
develop new drugs that target specific molecular pathways used by tumour
cells to proliferate.
Tomas Lindahl, Paul Modrich and Aziz Sancar won the prize for “mechanistic studies of DNA repair”. Their work mapped how cells repair deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to prevent damaging errors from appearing in genetic information.
In many forms of cancer, one of more of these repair systems is broken.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews
Iraq Leans Towards Russia in War on Islamic State
Reuters, 07/10 14:49 CET
By Ahmed Rasheed and Saif Hameed
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq may
request Russian air strikes against Islamic State on its soil soon and
wants Moscow to have a bigger role than the United States in the war
against the militant group, the head of parliament’s defence and
security committee said on Wednesday.
“In the upcoming few days or weeks, I think Iraq will be
forced to ask Russia to launch air strikes, and that depends on their
success in Syria,” Hakim al-Zamili, a leading Shi’ite politician, told
Reuters in an interview.
The comments were the clearest signal yet that Baghdad
intends to lean on Russia in the war on Islamic State after U.S.-led
coalition airstrikes produced limited results.
Russian military action in Iraq would deepen U.S. fears
that it is losing more strategic ground in the region as Russia weighs
in behind President Bashar al-Assad with airstrikes in Syria and Iran
holds deep sway in Iraq.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews
Saudi Arabia’s Prince Alwaleed Raises Twitter Stake
Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal and his investment company have increased their stake in Twitter to more than five percent, according to his office.
Kingdom Holding, which confirmed the move in a statement, has reportedly paid 44 million euros to double its stake.
The combined holding makes the prince and his investment company the
second largest investors in Twitter with 35 million shares, a stake
whose market value is worth nearly 900 million euros.
The disclosure comes in the week Twitter named co-founder and former leader Jack Dorsey as its CEO in a bid to recover the buzz of its early years.
Click here for video.
Source: Euronews
Trans-Pacific Partnership is Praised and Panned
By Alasdair Sandford
TPP: the initials may mean little to many outside the Pacific rim.
Yet the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreed on Monday will be the world’s biggest trade deal in 20 years – if it’s ratified by lawmakers in the countries concerned.
Not to be confused with the TTIP
(“Tea-Tip”) which is about Transatlantic trade, the Trans-Pacific
agreement aims to free up trade and harmonise standards across a huge
area.
The 12 countries involved are Australia,
Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru,
Singapore, Vietnam and the US. Together they embrace an area whose
population (800 million) is almost double that of the EU’s single
market, and whose economies amount to some 40 percent of world output.
Click here for the full article and video.
Source: Euronews
EU’s Highest Court Torpedoes US Data Deal Over Privacy Fears
The EU’s highest court has struck down a data deal agreed with the United States.
Judges said the agreement did stop local authorities from checking
that US companies were taking proper data protection measures.
The case was brought by an Austrian student, Max Schrems
“For years, the (European) Commission has just been watching. There
were two or three years when ‘Safe Harbour’ could have been fixed. but
it was always ‘Next month, next month, just not today’.”
Click here for the full article and video.
Source: Euronews
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
The President Speaks with Agriculture and Business Leaders
President Obama joins USDA Secretary Vilsack for a meeting with
agriculture and business leaders at the Department of Agriculture on the
importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
White House Press Briefing
White House Press Briefings are conducted most weekdays from the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in the West Wing.
Politics in Action: H. R. 3192 – Homebuyers Assistance Act
STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
H. R. 3192 – Homebuyers Assistance Act
(Rep. Hill, R-AR, and one cosponsor)
Americans
deserve clear and easy to understand disclosures of the cost of buying
and financing a home, which is why the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act directed the Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau (CFPB) to streamline conflicting disclosures that were required
under the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures
Act. The Know Before You Owe regulation issued by the CFPB
almost two years ago fulfills this mandate by requiring mortgage lenders
and settlement agents to provide homebuyers with simpler forms that
explain the true cost of buying their home at least three days before
closing. This summer, the CFPB extended the effective date for these
requirements by two months, to last Saturday, October 3, 2015, to
provide for a smooth transition and avoid unnecessary disruptions to
busy families seeking to close on a new home at the beginning of the
school year.
H.R. 3192 would revise the effective date for the Know Before You Owe rule to February 1, 2016, and would shield lenders from liability for violations for loans originated before February 1 so long as lenders made a good faith effort to comply.
The
CFPB has already clearly stated that initial examinations will evaluate
good faith efforts by lenders. The Administration strongly opposes
H.R. 3192, as it would unnecessarily delay implementation of important
consumer protections designed to eradicate opaque lending practices that
contribute to risky mortgages, hurt homeowners by removing the private
right of action for violations, and undercut the Nation’s financial
stability.
If the President were presented with H.R. 3192, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.
Source: The Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget
NLRB Labor Violations Ruling
Business leaders testified at a hearing on a National Labor Relations
Board ruling that companies can be held responsible for labor violations
committed by their contractors.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Representative Tim Huelskamp on House Leadership Elections
Representative Tim Huelskamp (R-KS), chair of the House Tea Party
Caucus, talks about his group’s meeting with House Republican speaker
candidates that evening and his view of the House Republican leadership
elections overall.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Senator Marco Rubio Economic Policy Address
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), who is seeking the Republican nomination
in the 2016 presidential election, delivers remarks on the economy,
taxes, and technology in New York City.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
U.S. House Legislative Business
The House convenes for a legislative session, with members expected
to debate 10 bills under suspension of the rules, as well as H.R. 3102,
which deals with Transportation Security Agency procedures at airports.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Governor Cuomo Honors Eight Fallen Firefighters
as Part of 'Firefighter Appreciation Day'
The
names of eight fallen firefighters have been added to the New York
State Fallen Firefighters Memorial located at the Empire State Plaza.
With the addition of these eight firefighters, the Fallen Firefighters
Memorial now contains the names of 2,398 individuals who lost their
lives in the line of duty.
"Today, we pay tribute to these brave individuals who gave their lives while protecting their neighbors and their communities," Governor Cuomo said. "With the additions to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial, we will help ensure that their sacrifices and their dedication to the safety of others will not be forgotten."
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and other state officials recognized the contributions of these eight courageous individuals at the 18th Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony today in Albany. During the ceremony, Governor Cuomo issued two proclamations honoring the state’s career and volunteer firefighters. The proclamations mark Tuesday, October 6, as Firefighter Appreciation Day, and the week of October 5-11 as Fire Prevention Week.
Lieutenant Governor Hochul said, "New York is proud to honor the heroic service of our firefighters who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of protecting us from danger. This memorial is an enduring reminder that we cherish their bravery, their mission, and their loved ones. We bestow our everlasting gratitude to these eight individuals today, and on behalf of Governor Cuomo, we vow to never forget."
This year’s additions to the Fallen Firefighters Memorial are:
"Today, we pay tribute to these brave individuals who gave their lives while protecting their neighbors and their communities," Governor Cuomo said. "With the additions to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial, we will help ensure that their sacrifices and their dedication to the safety of others will not be forgotten."
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and other state officials recognized the contributions of these eight courageous individuals at the 18th Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony today in Albany. During the ceremony, Governor Cuomo issued two proclamations honoring the state’s career and volunteer firefighters. The proclamations mark Tuesday, October 6, as Firefighter Appreciation Day, and the week of October 5-11 as Fire Prevention Week.
Lieutenant Governor Hochul said, "New York is proud to honor the heroic service of our firefighters who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of protecting us from danger. This memorial is an enduring reminder that we cherish their bravery, their mission, and their loved ones. We bestow our everlasting gratitude to these eight individuals today, and on behalf of Governor Cuomo, we vow to never forget."
This year’s additions to the Fallen Firefighters Memorial are:
Timothy T. Gunther, Firefighter
Poughkeepsie Fire Department, Dutchess County – May 5, 2015
Poughkeepsie Fire Department, Dutchess County – May 5, 2015
Joseph Sanford, Jr., Firefighter
Inwood Fire Department, Nassau County – December 23, 2014
Inwood Fire Department, Nassau County – December 23, 2014
Gordon M. Ambelas, Lieutenant
New York City Fire Department, Kings County – July 5, 2014
New York City Fire Department, Kings County – July 5, 2014
Fred Edwards, Firefighter
Liberty Fire Department, Sullivan County – May 7, 2014
Liberty Fire Department, Sullivan County – May 7, 2014
Kevin J. Bristol, Firefighter
Peekskill Fire Department, Westchester County – March 3, 2014
Peekskill Fire Department, Westchester County – March 3, 2014
Ross E. Huffer, Firefighter
Nesconset Fire Department, Suffolk County – February 27, 2014
Nesconset Fire Department, Suffolk County – February 27, 2014
Kevin E. Townes, Sr., Firefighter
Mount Vernon Fire Department, Westchester County – December 8, 2011
Mount Vernon Fire Department, Westchester County – December 8, 2011
David E. Smith, Captain
Howells Fire Company #1, Orange County – April 11, 2006
Howells Fire Company #1, Orange County – April 11, 2006
The Fallen Firefighters Memorial, dedicated
in 1998, honors the memory and the valor of our fallen firefighters, as
well as pays tribute to the more than 100,000 New York State
firefighters who put their lives on the line every day. On average, New
York's firefighters respond to over 1.3 million incidents annually,
which represents approximately 3561 events every day, 148 calls per
hour, and 2.47 calls per minute.
Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said, "Firefighters across our state, both paid and volunteer, deserve our unwavering gratitude for their commitment to our communities. These brave men and women put their lives on the line every day for all New Yorkers and we must never forget their sacrifice. The New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial is a lasting tribute to all who have made the ultimate sacrifice and it is my honor to join with Governor Cuomo and other elected officials to remember their lives and to memorialize those our State lost in the past year."
Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "New York’s firefighters are true heroes. As others run out of burning buildings, they rush in to save lives, protect property and help their fellow New Yorkers. Those firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice must be honored and remembered for their bravery and dedication. We owe a tremendous debt to all of our state’s firefighters; they truly are New York’s bravest."
Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein said, "The New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial pays tribute to our fallen heroes and honors the sacrifices of the more than 100,000 brave men and women who risk their lives every day to protect New York’s children and families. It is with a heavy heart that I offer my condolences to those across the state that have lost a loved one in the line of duty. I applaud the courage, valor and heroism exhibited by all firefighters across the state, and I thank them for their service and dedication."
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, "Each and every day, firefighters across the state come to the aid of families in danger, protecting our lives, our homes and the people we care about most without hesitation. These men and women are truly heroes, and on behalf of the New York State Assembly, I’d like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives serving our communities as well as thank those who continue the brave and selfless fight to make New York a safer place."
John P. Melville, Commissioner, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services said, "Today we honor eight individuals and their 2390 fellow firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty. No matter what size community they serve, all firefighters are dedicated to protecting their fellow citizens and communities from disasters, and we are grateful for their commitment, dedication and professionalism toward keeping us and our loved ones safe."
New York State Fire Administrator Bryant D. Stevens said, "This memorial serves as an everlasting tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties. While firefighters understand the dangers they face, the names enshrined on this wall is a stark reminder to every New Yorker of this fact and of the sacrifices made by firefighters every day."
New York State Association of Fire Chiefs President Chief Daniel J. Schwertfeger said, "Today, I join fire chiefs and emergency responders from throughout New York State to recognize and remember our comrades who have made the supreme sacrifice. We pay tribute to the families of the fallen and will ensure that their sacrifice will be forever honored."
Firemen’s Association of the State of New York President Robert McConville said, "Today we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Tens of thousands of firefighters across this great State put their lives on the line every day in to protect their families, their friends, their neighbors, and complete strangers alike. It is our duty never to forget those who have answered their final call."
New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association President Michael McManus said, "It is with heavy hearts that we remember the brave men and women who we have lost in the line of duty, protecting the citizens of New York State. We recall their bravery and sacrifice and extend our thoughts and prayers to their families and fellow firefighters."
Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said, "Firefighters across our state, both paid and volunteer, deserve our unwavering gratitude for their commitment to our communities. These brave men and women put their lives on the line every day for all New Yorkers and we must never forget their sacrifice. The New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial is a lasting tribute to all who have made the ultimate sacrifice and it is my honor to join with Governor Cuomo and other elected officials to remember their lives and to memorialize those our State lost in the past year."
Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "New York’s firefighters are true heroes. As others run out of burning buildings, they rush in to save lives, protect property and help their fellow New Yorkers. Those firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice must be honored and remembered for their bravery and dedication. We owe a tremendous debt to all of our state’s firefighters; they truly are New York’s bravest."
Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein said, "The New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial pays tribute to our fallen heroes and honors the sacrifices of the more than 100,000 brave men and women who risk their lives every day to protect New York’s children and families. It is with a heavy heart that I offer my condolences to those across the state that have lost a loved one in the line of duty. I applaud the courage, valor and heroism exhibited by all firefighters across the state, and I thank them for their service and dedication."
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, "Each and every day, firefighters across the state come to the aid of families in danger, protecting our lives, our homes and the people we care about most without hesitation. These men and women are truly heroes, and on behalf of the New York State Assembly, I’d like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives serving our communities as well as thank those who continue the brave and selfless fight to make New York a safer place."
John P. Melville, Commissioner, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services said, "Today we honor eight individuals and their 2390 fellow firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty. No matter what size community they serve, all firefighters are dedicated to protecting their fellow citizens and communities from disasters, and we are grateful for their commitment, dedication and professionalism toward keeping us and our loved ones safe."
New York State Fire Administrator Bryant D. Stevens said, "This memorial serves as an everlasting tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties. While firefighters understand the dangers they face, the names enshrined on this wall is a stark reminder to every New Yorker of this fact and of the sacrifices made by firefighters every day."
New York State Association of Fire Chiefs President Chief Daniel J. Schwertfeger said, "Today, I join fire chiefs and emergency responders from throughout New York State to recognize and remember our comrades who have made the supreme sacrifice. We pay tribute to the families of the fallen and will ensure that their sacrifice will be forever honored."
Firemen’s Association of the State of New York President Robert McConville said, "Today we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Tens of thousands of firefighters across this great State put their lives on the line every day in to protect their families, their friends, their neighbors, and complete strangers alike. It is our duty never to forget those who have answered their final call."
New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association President Michael McManus said, "It is with heavy hearts that we remember the brave men and women who we have lost in the line of duty, protecting the citizens of New York State. We recall their bravery and sacrifice and extend our thoughts and prayers to their families and fellow firefighters."
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
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