Tag Archives: Gov Andrew Cuomo

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School students and staff listen to a patriotic song, and then each class with its teacher pauses in front of the 9/11 Memorial Garden garden in front of the entrance, on their way back into the school. Some shook hands or hugged NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123 and student at Mepham High School. Earlier in ceremony, Principal E. Speidel of the K-6 elementary school talked about the significance of 911 and the 9/11 Memorial Garden, on the 18th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001.

Building Memories at Park Avenue School 9/11 Memorial Garden

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
September 12, 2019

Early yesterday, the 18th Anniversary of 9/11, I heard a woman’s solemn, amplified voice coming through my open windows and thought it was from a neighbor’s TV playing the annual Manhattan 9/11 ceremony.

Having another idea a few minutes later, I walked outside and looked down the road to Park Avenue School.

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. L-R, NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123, and Park Avenue School Principal EILEEN SPEIDEL pose for photo after outdoor remembrance ceremony on 18th Anniversary of terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

N. Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. L-R, NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123, and Park Avenue School Principal EILEEN SPEIDEL pose for photo after outdoor remembrance ceremony on 18th Anniversary of terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Hundreds of students, their teachers, and Principal EILEEN SPEIDEL were outside listening to a patriotic song as they faced the 9/11 Memorial Garden and the American Flag flying at half mast in front of the school’s entrance. 

September 11th Remembrance Day

Two days earlier, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation (Senate 41661/Assembly 1801B) for September 11th Remembrance Day.

The new law, effective immediately, calls for a brief moment of silence in public schools throughout New York State at the beginning of the school day each Sept. 11th, to encouraging dialogue and education in the classroom and ensure an ongoing understanding of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and their place in history:

Governor Andrew Cuomo: “9/11 was one of the single darkest periods in this state’s and this nation’s history, and we owe it to those we lost and to the countless heroes who ran toward danger that day and the days that followed to do everything we can to keep their memory alive. By establishing this annual day of remembrance and a brief moment of silence in public schools, we will help ensure we never forget — not just the pain of that moment but of the courage, sacrifice and outpouring of love that defined our response.” 

The 9/11 terrorist attacks in nearby NYC leveled the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, killing over 3,000 people, including first responders who later died due to breathing toxic air at the sites.

Park Avenue School’s students live in North Bellmore and North Merrick, and residents from both towns were among the victims of the attacks. 

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School, a teacher hugs NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123 , as her students walk around the 9/11 Memorial Garden on their way back into school after 9/11 ceremony, on 18th Anniversary of terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

N. Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School, a teacher hugs NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123, as her students walk around the 9/11 Memorial Garden on their way back into school after 9/11 ceremony, on 18th Anniversary of terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

9/11 Memorial Garden

During the ceremony, NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, a member of Merrick Boy Scout Troop 123 and a student at Mepham High School, stood next to the school’s 9/11 Memorial Garden, which has a sturdy two-foot tall circular stone wall around a shade tree and flowering plants, a Peace Pole with “Peace” written in 12 languages, two American Flags, and a plaque atop a small stone monument.

Carrano, a graduate of Park Avenue School, was there because this summer he built the current 9/11 Memorial Garden for his Eagle Scout project. The former garden only had that plaque on its wood rectangular border. As Principal Speidel explained, people didn’t even realize it was a 9/11 Memorial Garden because the plaque blended in with the wood.

As students made their way back to the school building, they slowly looped around, and often paused at, the 9/11 Memorial Garden.

Some of the young girls and boys walked up to Carrano to shake his hand, and some teachers who came up to him gave him a hug, as the students looked on.

Back…

I was a member of Park Avenue School’s first 1st grade class, and my strongest memory of that year was facing the front of the building as I stood by it with a group of people, and then writing my name on a piece of paper passed around.

Decades later, when I mentioned that odd memory to my mom, she smiled and explained I was the 1st grade representative at Park Avenue School’s cornerstone ceremony.

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School students and staff listen to a patriotic song, and then each class with its teacher paused in front of the 9/11 Memorial Garden garden in front of the entrance, on their way back into the school. Earlier in ceremony, Principal E. Speidel of the K-6 elementary school talked about the significance of 911 and the 9/11 Memorial Garden, on the 18th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School students and staff listen to a patriotic song. Earlier in ceremony, Principal E. Speidel of the K-6 elementary school talked about the significance of 911 and the 9/11 Memorial Garden, on the 18th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

…and Forth

I wouldn’t be surprised if the 9/11 Remembrance ceremony is one of the memories Park Avenue School students keep long after they graduate.

And if they have some form of this outdoor lesson each 9/11 at Park Ave, they likely won’t need to ask anyone what it was all about.

PAZ  •  和平  •  PEACE  •   رحمها الله  •  MÍR 
POKÓJ  •  Waffenstillstand  •  ειρήνη 
Barış  •  мир  •  PAIX  •  שלום  •  PACE 


Click each photo above to see larger size.

9/11 2019 Park Ave. School:  PHOTO GALLERY

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[Photo Composite Illustration] Massapequa, New York, USA. August 5, 2018. L-R, LIUBA GRECHEN SHIRLEY, Democrat running for Congress for New York 2nd District, and Governor ANDREW CUOMO, at campaign event after Cuomo endorsed Grechen Shirley.

Gov. Cuomo Endorses Liuba Grechen Shirley for Congress

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
August 9, 2018

Massapequa, NY USA. August 5, 2018. L-R, Gov. Andrew Cuomo endorses candidates, as Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive; NY Sen. John Brooks; and Liuba Grechen Shirley, Congressional candidate for NY 2nd District; and supporters listen at joint campaign office opening. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Massapequa, NY USA. Aug. 5, 2018. L-R, Gov. Andrew Cuomo endorses Liuba Grechen Shirley for Congress, as Laura Curran, Nassau County Exec.; NY Sen. John Brooks; Grechen Shirley & supporters listen at campaign office opening. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Making a surprise appearance, Governor Cuomo endorsed Liuba Grechen Shirley, the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 2nd District, during her Joint Campaign Office Opening with NY Senator John Brooks on Sunday, August 5th. 

Grechen Shirley, a community organizer and activist, business and non-profit leader, and mother of two toddlers, is the first female candidate to get FEC permission to use campaign funds for childcare.

Massapequa, NY, USA. August 5, 2018. L-R, Democrats Laura Gillen, Hempstead Town Supervisor; Liuba Grechen Shirley, Congressional candidate for NY 2nd District; and Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive, chat at campaign event. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Massapequa, NY, USA. August 5, 2018. L-R, Democrats Laura Gillen, Hempstead Town Supervisor; Liuba Grechen Shirley, Congressional candidate for NY 2nd District; and Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive, chat at campaign event. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Despite it being a muggy, 91°f summer day, more supporters attended the campaign event than could fit in the office during speeches by the governor, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Liuba Grechen Shirley, and Sen. Brooks.

Massapequa, NY, USA. August 5, 2018. Supporter writes in Volunteer Sign-In sheet, during joint campaign office opening for Liuba Grechen Shirley, Congressional candidate for NY 2nd District, and NY Sen. John Brooks. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Massapequa, NY, USA. Aug. 5, 2018. Supporter writes in Volunteer Sign-In sheet, during campaign office opening for Liuba Grechen Shirley, Congressional candidate for 2nd District; & NY Sen. John Brooks. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

SPEECHES

    • VIDEO: Speeches by Gov. Cuomo, Liuba Grechen Shirley, & Sen. John Brooks:


The series of four speeches started and ended with a joke about the sweltering weather.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran went to the podium in the packed office, and the crowd laughed when she smiled and said clothes wouldn’t be coming off despite the heat.

When the County Executive endorsed Liuba Grechen Shirley, the reasons Curran gave to vote for her, and other Democrats, included how Republicans are anti-New York State – by passing the tax reform provision removing state and local tax deductions – and are anti-gun control, pro NRA.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Curran introduced Governor Andrew Cuomo, an unannounced special guest.

The governor seconded the importance of getting reasonable gun controls, despite NRA’s influence.

Cuomo said how Republicans have a different fundamental view of America as a nation, including being anti-immigrant and abandoning Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. He added how New York sued the federal government for family separation.

“And Laura Curran’s point is very important. They [Republican Congress members] are anti New York State, what they did in their tax reform last year. They passed a provision that removed the deductibility of state & local taxes….

Why? Because they want to hurt New York. This federal provision raises property taxes by 30% like that, overnight. We have to get Washington to reverse it…. 

“I am tired of the Republican Congress people from New York saying — when I said, ‘Why would you pass a bill that hurts your own people?’ That’s what the SALT bill did. It hurt this state. It hurt their constituents ‘Why would you do it?’ — they say, ‘Well, we’re powerless. We’re powerless.’ 

You know what?  That’s baloney. They have been enablers for this president….

“And I’ll tell you how we stop Congress from doing bad acts to New York. We elect Democratic Congress people who will stand up and protect New York.

“We elect Liuba Grechen Shirley. We let Liuba tell them the truth, and stand up for women’s rights, and immigrant rights, and for gun safety, and for New Yorkers….

“We let Liuba stand up in Washington and explain how Progressive policies made this state the greatest state in the United States of America….

“We elect Liuba, and then we elect John Brooks, and Lou D’Amaro, and Monica Martinez, and Jim Gaughran, and we take over the State Senate.”

Massapequa, NY, USA. August 5, 2018. Liuba Grechen Shirley, Congressional candidate for NY 2nd District, gives speech at podium after Gov. Cuomo endorses her. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Liuba Grechen Shirley

Liuba Grechen Shirley, a first-time candidate, thanked Cuomo for endorsing her and for New York having the strongest Paid Family Leave policy in America, and said she was excited at the prospect of working with him, Lou D’Amaro, and Sen. John Brooks.

“…It’s critical we take back the [NY] Senate, and flip the House. What is so exciting about our campaign is that it’s completely grass roots, We out raised Peter King this quarter, and we did it without any corporate PAC money….” 

“This seat has been held for 25 years by a Republican, by Peter King, who refuses to even meet with his constituents. He actually told me that holding a Town Meeting would diminish democracy….

“He does not represent the values of our district, and we need a representative who will actually listen to everyone in this district. Who will fight in Washington to make sure that we actually have a government is taking care of working families in this district, not their corporate donors….

“We’ve got a lot of work to do. This is about values. Who is going to stand up for our values.”

Massapequa, NY, USA. Aug. 5, 2018. NY Senator JOHN BROOKS (D-Seaford) speaks during open joint campaign office for him and Liuba Grechen Shirley. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Massapequa, NY, USA. Aug. 5, 2018. NY Senator John Brooks (D-Seaford) gives speech at podium during open joint campaign office for him and Liuba Grechen Shirley. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

Sen. John Brooks

Senator Brooks first thanked Governor Cuomo for the outstanding job he is doing in Albany.

“…Our governor was the one that  stood up first and recognized what the federal tax changes would do to New York State…. [SALT Bill]  an 18-billion-dollar tax increase for New Yorkers….

“We hear the president say he wants to make America great again… All we have to do is act like Americans…..

“Lou and I are going to go to the Senate to stand up for Long Island and deliver the products and services that we need in terms of good government….

“Thanks everybody for being here, and remember it’s supposed to snow later this afternoon.”

Loyal-Tees

Several Long Islanders well below voting age came with their parents, including three sisters and their brother wearing red, white and blue campaign shirts with “Joanne Curran Perrucci – for Court Judge / 4th District” on the front, and “Vote For My Mom!” on the back. 

Massapequa, NY, USA. August 5, 2018. L-R,  Joanne Curran Perrucci, candidate for Court Judge 4th District; and Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive; smile at Perrucci's four young children wearing campaign shirts, at opening of fellow Democrats' campaign office. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Massapequa, NY, USA. August 5, 2018. L-R,  Joanne Curran Perrucci, candidate for Court Judge 4th District; and Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive; smile at Perrucci’s  four children wearing campaign shirts, at fellow Democrats’ campaign event. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

At the end of the event, the four siblings helped send-off Governor Cuomo.


DISCLOSURE: Photography I’ve done for Grechen Shirley has appeared elsewhere, but nowhere on this blog.

Cuomo, Endorsements:  VIDEO  •  my PHOTO GALLERY 

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