Queens lawmakers On The Move Dec. 5, 2017

Meng Honors Queens College

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Maspeth) last week presented Queens College President Félix V. Matos Rodríguez with a Congressional Record commemorating the school’s 80th anniversary.

The anniversary recognition, which Meng wrote and entered into the Congressional Record, highlights the college’s beginnings, and pays tribute to its accomplishments and success.

“Queens College is an outstanding institution and an exceptional asset to the borough of Queens,” said Meng. “The college has received much well-deserved praise and recognition, and continues to be a trailblazing beacon of higher education. Just recently, the Chronicle of Higher Education ranked Queens College tenth in the nation among public colleges that help students achieve upward social and economic mobility, and the Center for World University Rankings placed the college among the top 5 percent of almost 28,000 degree-granting institutions world-wide. I’m proud to honor the school’s 80th anniversary and look forward to another 80 years of great success. I also look forward to continuing to work with all the outstanding faculty and staff that make the Queens College community grow and thrive.”

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings of the United States Congress.

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Dromm Hails Computer Science Education Week

City Council Member Daniel  “Danny” Dromm (D- East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights) yesterday hailed the city’s Department of Education’s launch of Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 4-10), a global effort encouraging computer science (CS) education in city schools.

The launch also include’s New York City’s new CS4All Hack League, a citywide coding competition. Through the Hack League, students from 62 middle and high schools across all five boroughs will create and design games in school-based hackathons starting this week. Winners will advance to borough-wide and then citywide competitions.   

The city’s participation in Computer Science Education Week and the new CS4All Hack League are part of Computer Science for All, a key public-private partnership in Mayor de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña’s Equity and Excellence for All agenda. By 2025, every student will receive computer science education in elementary, middle and high school.

“Computer Science Education Week helps equip our students with important skills that will stay with them for a lifetime,” said Dromm, who chairs the City Council Education Committee. “Computer science education helps students think creatively and strategically. The new CS4All Hack League incentivizes learning in a fun and innovative way. I am pleased to support this exciting development and will continue to work alongside Chancellor Fariña to bring these important programs to students across the five boroughs.”

Addabbo Says Think Twice Before Gifting A Pet

State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth and parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) wants to remind people who may be thinking of surprising a friend or loved one with a brand new pet, that gifting a pet may not always be the best idea for everyone on their list.

There are many factors that come with owning a pet that a person must consider before bestowing an unsuspecting recipient with one. Owning a pet is a long-term commitment; pets are not something that can be discarded or abandoned like an ugly sweater or unwanted toy.

When making the decision to buy a pet for someone, first make sure the person actually wants a pet. If you are not confident that someone wants a pet as a gift, the best thing to do is ask. Find out what type of pet they would like and what type of pet they can handle.

“If you really want to gift someone a pet this holiday season, just be sure that they understand the responsibilities that come with owning an animal. Surprising someone with a pet isn’t good for the pet or the new owner,” Addabbo said. “Taking in a pet isn’t a passing fad; it is a commitment that can last for many years. The owner should be ready to accept that responsibility.”

Addabbo said if you do decide to get someone on your list the pet they have always wanted, make sure to get pets from shelters and responsible breeders, not from pet stores or internet sources.

“There are many terrific animal shelters and rescue organizations right here in Queens where the perfect pet can be adopted,” Addabbo noted. “Another way you can help pets this holiday season without adopting one is by donating your time or money to a local animal shelter, which are always in need of volunteers and donations.”