State to establish AAPI commission

by Kristen Guglielmo

Associate Editor

Gov. Hochul last week signed bill A3301/S1051 into law, which will establish a New York Asian-American and Pacific Islander Commission. The action came days after Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) penned a letter to the governor, signed by numerous elected officials and 50 Asian-American groups, calling on the governor to sign the bill.

According to the letter, the commission will “create a place in the executive infrastructure that will address the AAPI community’s safety, health, economic wellbeing, education and civic participation.”

The new law mandates that the commission will be housed in the NYS Department of State and will be composed of 13 members jointly appointed by the governor, state Senate and Assembly. New York’s Secretary of State will chair the commission.

Furthermore, the commission will develop policies to promote the AsianAmerican community’s safety, health, economic stability and education, Rajkumar’s office said. It will also galvanize leader- ship in the Asian-American community and develop public education campaigns on Asian-American issues and culture.

The letter’s signatories from Queens include state Sen. John Liu (D-Bayside) and Assemblymembers Ron Kim (D-Flushing), Steven Raga (D-Maspeth), David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows), Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows), Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside), Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills) and Juan Ardila (D-Sunnyside).

State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven) and Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Park), Clyde Vanel (D-Queens Village), Khaleel Anderson (D-Far Rockaway), Jessica GonzálezRojas (D-East Elmhurst), Catalina Cruz (D-Corona), Daniel Rosenthal (D-Flushing) and Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria) were not signatories, but all co-sponsored the legislation.

“I am proud to have established a historic commission that will bring Asian-American New Yorkers across our state to the table of government,” Rajkumar said in a written statement. “... This Commission will empower Asian-American New Yorkers for generations to come.” Q engine down to a low setting.

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106th Precinct honored

Officers and civilian members of the NYPD’s 106th Precinct were honored for their service and achievements last Wednesday in a Medal Day ceremony at Resorts World NYC in South Ozone Park.

The celebration was attended by a number of elected officials and community leaders, including state Sens. Joe Addabbo Jr. and Roxanne Persaud, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and a representative of Councilwoman Joann Ariola. The command- ing officer of Patrol Borough Queens South, Assistant Chief Kevin Williams, was also in attendance.

“Today we had the pleasure of honoring the dedication and valor of our police officers and civilian members of the 106 Precinct on their medal,” read a post from the 106’s Facebook account. “Thank you to Resorts World Casino NYC for allowing us to host this prestigious event.”

— Kristen Guglielmo