Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ms. Angela Edwards.

Ms. Edwards started her nursing career in 1983 at Port of Spain General Hospital. She received her diploma in Nursing in 1986 and immigrated to the United States in 1989. She received a Bachelor's degree at St. Joseph College and a Master Degree in Nursing from Teachers College at Columbia University.

Ms. Edwards then started work at Mount Sinai Medical Center in 1993 and in 1996 she received the Nursing Award for Nursing Excellence. Ms. Edwards' stand-out service helped her get promoted from Staff Nurse to Clinical Coordinator and finally Clinical Nurse Manager. Ms. Edwards also served as Clinical Director of Nursing at the Saint Vincent Medical Centers from 2008 until the center's closure in April 2010.

Ms. Edwards started work at Woodhull Medical Center and during her brief tenure she created and implemented a Quality Nursing Dashboard to monitor clinical, financial and human resources sensitive indicators. She was instrumental in creating an all RN model in the Medical Surgical units, thereby ensuring high quality care for out-patients and she implemented Focus Charting to ensure improved nursing documentation in acute care units. All these initiatives to improved patient care culminated with the Implementation of Primary Nursing Model, which is as a Best Practice at the Woodhull Medical Center.

All through her nursing career Ms. Edwards provided compassionate and quality care to all patients especially those without resources. Today, she continues to tirelessly work to eliminate health disparities among the communities she serves.

Ms. Edwards now serves as the Deputy Director of Nursing at the North Brooklyn Health Network were she leads the nursing team providing quality care for the Inpatient Unit which consists of Critical Care, Medical/Surgical, Behavioral Health and Maternal Child Health services.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Ms. Edwards for her contribution to the medical fraternity and our community.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Ms. Angela Edwards.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate and pay tribute to Charles J. Hynes for his important and respected commitment to his community as the District Attorney of Kings County.

Charles began his career in public service in 1963 as an associate attorney for the Legal Aid Society. In 1969, he joined the Kings County District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney. In 1971, he was named Chief of the Rackets Bureau and in 1973, he was promoted to First Assistant District Attorney.

In 1999, Mr. Hynes created the ComALERT, (Community And Law Enforcement Resources Together), public safety program which supports individuals on probation or parole as they re-enter their Brooklyn communities. In 2005, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Mr. Hynes started a United States Department of Justice funded Family Justice Center--a one stop shopping service for victims of domestic violence and their surviving children.

Since 2000, District Attorney Hynes has served as a member of the American Bar Association. In 2008, he received the American Bar Association Award, ``Lawyer as Problem Solver,'' and the ``Cyrus R. Vance Tribute'' from The Fund for Modern Courts. In 2009, he was given the Diversity Championship Award by The New York City Bar Association. On November 3, 2009, Charles J. Hynes was re-elected to his sixth term as the District Attorney of Kings County (Brooklyn), New York.

Mr. Hynes continues to demonstrate his commitment to public service and education by serving as an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at three New York City Law Schools. He was appointed to both St. John's and Brooklyn Law School in 1984, and Fordham University Law School in 1992.

Mr. Hynes is now spearheading a groundbreaking alternative-to-prison program for mothers and their children through a not-for-profit foundation named in honor of his mother, Regina Drew. The Drew Foundation is planning to operate the first residence of its kind in the country in which women will be permitted to remain with all of their children in a secure, community-based setting while receiving intensive trauma-focused, rehabilitative services.

District Attorney Hynes is a proud and life-long resident of Brooklyn, where he was born and raised in the Flatbush section. He met his wife, Patricia L. Pennisi, a registered nurse, while they were undergraduate students. He attended St. John's University while she was at Kings County Hospital.

Mr. Speaker, I call on my colleagues to join me in recognizing the contributions and accomplishments of Mr. Charles J. Hynes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Cindi Van Petten, a highly motivated educator at The Dr. Ronald E. McNair, Public School 5, under the leadership of Principal Lena S. Gates and Assistant Principal Kesha Townsel. Ms. Van Petten has more than ten years of accomplishments in education and is fiercely committed to her students who call her Ms. Van. Under her watch, students have participated in debates, Meet Our Community Leaders Workshops, and participated in the Adelaide Sanford Institute Oratory Contest and Public School 5's first annual National Urban Alliance Literacy Workshop for Children, just to name a few. She believes that with the right formula every child can be successful by using innovative ways to meet the needs of all students and their learning styles.

Ms. Van Petten's devotion to education extends beyond the classroom as a participant in the Principal Aspiring Leaders Program through the Grapevine Network, sponsored by Margarita Nells, the network leader. Ms. Van Petten is a member of Caring Educators In Action, Inc. and is a member of the National Science Teacher Association, NSTA, and The City College of New York tech program where she conducts workshops in teaching engineering in elementary schools in Pennsylvania, Washington DC, California, and Texas. Ms. Van trains new teachers and mentors up and coming teachers helping them to blossom into great educators. As a member of the Adelaide Sanford Institute, she conducts parent workshop on new and exciting educational trends, especially the new common core curriculum in literacy and math. She gives back to her community by teaching GED classes through the Brooklyn Adult Learning Center. She is a member of The Brown Memorial Baptist Church over which Pastor Clinton Miller presides. On top of all that she is the mother of two beautiful children, Calynn and Caleb, IV. Her dedication to her craft is second to none.

Cindi Van Petten's philosophy about work can be found in a quoute by John Ruskin: ``Education . . . is a painful, continual and difficult work to be done in kindness, by watching, by warning . . . by praise, but above all, by example.''

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Cindi Van Petten for her tremendous contributions to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Cindi Van Petten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Colvin Grannum, for his commitment to developing his community.

Born and raised in Bedford Stuyvesant, Mr. Grannum graduated from Erasmus Hall High School. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. He serves as a member of the board of directors of the New York City Workforce Investment Board, Center for New York City Neighborhoods (CNYCN), Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Bedford Stuyvesant Early Childhood Development Center, Inc., and Head Start Sponsoring Boards Council.

He has served on advisory boards of JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs New Markets Fund, Fannie Mae, HSBC Bank, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and Pratt Center for Community Development, just to name a few. He also served as a trustee of the Brunswick School, in Greenwich, Connecticut. Mayor Bloomberg appointed Mr. Grannum to serve on the Mayor's Commission for Economic Opportunity, and former Governor Spitzer appointed him to the then Governor-elect's Housing Policy Transition Team.

Mr. Grannum practiced law for over 17 years primarily as a litigation attorney before embarking on his career in community development. He has been employed by the United States Department of Justice, the New York State Attorney General, the NYNEX Corporation, and the New York City Corporation Counsel, respectively, where he held a variety of senior level positions and was responsible for handling and supervising litigation, including trials, appeals, and regulatory proceedings.

Colvin Grannum has served as president of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (Restoration) since March 2001. Under Mr. Grannum's leadership, Restoration is experiencing a robust resurgence. Restoration provides services and programs in the areas of arts and education, including Bedford Stuyvesant Head Start, the Restoration Information Technology Education (RITE) Center, the Youth Arts Academy and the Restoration Dance Theater, and economic development, including the Restoration Capital Fund.

Prior to joining Restoration, Mr. Grannum served as a founding director and the chief executive officer of Bridge Street Development Corporation (BSDC), a faith-based not-for-profit community development corporation affiliated with Bridge Street African Methodist Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, New York.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Colvin Grannum for his outstanding accomplishments and dedication to his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Naomi Collins, for her track record in public service and her commitment to charity.

Naomi Collins was born in Brooklyn, New York, to the late James and Louise Miller. Mrs. Collins was educated in the New York City public school system. She attended Public School 309, Junior High School 35, Franklin K. Lane High School and Brooklyn College. She is married to Elder Michael Collins and has seven children and five grandchildren.

She currently attends Unity Temple Church of God in Christ in Brooklyn, New York, where the pastor is Elder Melvin Cooper. Mrs. Collins serves on the Deaconess Board as well as the Youth Department. She currently serves as District Youth Leader under Auxiliary Bishop Willie G. Robinson. She holds several licenses including a First Class FCC license as Chaplain in the State of New York and a Deaconess and Food Protection license.

From a young age Mrs. Collins was raised to be a valued and contributing member of her community. She served her community and church throughout her youth and as an adult, she always sought to do more to help others. It was this desire that led her to found the Faith Outreach Food Program to help feed the hungry and disadvantaged in her community. Now over 25 years later, Mrs. Collins is still operating the Faith Outreach Food Program through which she feeds thousands of underprivileged individuals each month. During her years of operating the Food Program, Mrs. Collins saw to other critical community needs. Each year Mrs. Collins adds new programs and events in order to reach as many disadvantaged and underserved groups in New York as possible. Her entire life has been devoted to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mrs. Naomi Collins for her commitment to serving others and continued dedication to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Taharka Robinson for his devotion to public service in his community.

Taharka Robinson was born and raised in the Bedford Stuyvesant Community of Kings County. He attended Community Head Start,

Martin De Porres School, Uhuru Sassa Shule, the Dwayne Braithwaite School, J.H.S 35 and Boys and Girls High School. Growing up, he was fortunate enough to have been exposed to community affairs at an early age. Rev. Taharka attended P.T.A. meetings, school board meetings, community board meetings, rallies, voter registration drives, political campaign meetings and even protests. Exposed to all of these events, Rev. Taharka understood that there was something significant about serving the community.

In 2002 after working on numerous political campaigns, Rev. Taharka started Urban Consulting Group Inc., a political consulting firm that targeted urban communities throughout the state of N.Y. Through his commitment and dedication Taharka successfully orchestrated the election of five African American Judges to the Kings County Civil Court over the course of three consecutive election cycles.

In 2006 Rev. Taharka Robinson took a leave of absence from political consulting to pursue ministerial studies. After completing his studies and acquiring the required certification, Rev. Taharka Robinson started Victory Consulting Group Inc. a full service consulting firm that handles every phase of a campaign, from strategy, management, community outreach, polling, to media and field coordination. Since 2003, Rev. Taharka Robinson has worked to help promote equity in the Kings County Court System. Through his work, serving as a Judge in Kings County is a more attainable goal for people of color.

Taharka has demonstrated his commitment to public service through interaction with community faith based and political organizations. Rev. Taharka convenes an annual Clergy Luncheon that is focused on highlighting the needs of the most fragile people in our communities. Rev. Taharka is the founder of The Brooklyn Anti Violence Coalition an organization that deals with the issue of crime and violence in the community. Rev. Taharka Robinson's life vision is to promote leadership within the community, create mentoring opportunities for young men and women and continue the legacy of his mother.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Taharka Robinson for his commitment to serving others and continued dedication to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor Deacon Sandy Dewalt

devoted husband to his loving wife Eva of 65 years, and father to son Sandy Jr. and daughter Cassandra.

Deacon Dewalt is a devoted servant of Christ who joined the Union Baptist Church in 1955 under the leadership of the founding pastor, Rev. Dr. Aaron Wood. A member of the Union Baptist Church for 57 years, he was appointed Decaon Chairman Emeritus in 1998. Mr. Dewalt is also a member of the Joint Board of Directors; he has served on the Board of Deacons for the better of 50 years.

``Deek''--as he is affectionately known at Union is the current Superintendent of the Sunday School Department 2nd, member of the Board of Christian Education, the Pastor's Aide and the Music Ministry. Additionally he works diligently with the Soup and Feeding Ministry.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Deacon Dewalt for devoting his time to serving those who God sends to in their time of need and to the church that he loves so dearly, the Union Baptist Church, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Deacon Sandy Dewalt.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Mrs. Mabel Kittrell who was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on July 18, 1912, and is 100 years young!

Mrs. Kittrell does not have biological children but she helped raise her nephew Kevin Jackson. Mrs. Kittrell was employed as a clerk and nurse's aide among several of the many jobs she has worked during her life.

Mrs. Kittrell became a member of the Zion Baptist Church in Brooklyn New York in 1978. She was the treasurer of the Virginia Club, which is now known as the Southern States Ministry. Mrs. Kittrell supports many of the church's ministries.

Mrs. Kittrell has a number of friends and especially appreciates her two home attendants, Mrs. Jean Moore and Mrs. Annie Everett. Mrs. Kittrell claims to not know the secret to her longevity but acknowledges herself as one of God's creations. Earlier this year Mrs. Kittrell received a certificate of recognition for her 100th birthday from Senior Citizens Ministry of Zion Baptist Church and a card from President Barack Obama congratulating her on her 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, she also received a Proclamation from Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mrs. Mabel Kittrell.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to and honor the Reverend Jasper E. Peyton, a man dedicated to serving God, his family, and the community.

Reverend Jasper E. Peyton, native of Richmond, Virginia is a graduate of the Armstrong High School in Richmond, Virginia. He entered the military service while a student at Virginia Union University and while serving in the Philippine Islands, he attended the University of Philippines in Manila and majored in Business Administration. After being discharged from the military he enrolled in City College of New York and graduated in 1952. His education also includes labor studies at Wagner College, Staten Island, New York; and courses at the School of Journalism at Rutgers University and at New York Theological Seminary. Reverend Peyton served as an adjunct professor in the Black Studies Department at Fordham University, Manhattan Campus. In February of 2007 Reverend Peyton was presented the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the Eastern Theological Seminary.

Reverend Jasper Peyton joined the International Ladies Garment Workers Union in 1950 and served in several capacities including: organizer, shop steward, editor of the local newspaper, local education director, assistant national education and political director, art class instructor, a founder of the Fulton Art Fair in Brooklyn, New York and ILGWU training institute coordinator. During his labor career, Reverend Peyton participated in international labor conferences in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana, Africa. He was listed in Who's Who in American Labor. Reverend Peyton is the former President of the Congress of Christian Education of the New York State Progressive National Baptist Convention, and served as Chaplain in the New York State Supreme Court Officers Association, ILA-AFL-CIO.

Reverend Peyton's many commitments at Bethany Baptist Church have included former President of the Senior Choir, President of the Presidents Council, President of the Virginia Club, Chairman of the Board of Deacons. He is presently the Adult Sunday School instructor. Dr. Peyton served as Interim Pastor at Bethany Baptist Church until January 2008 and as Assistant to the Pastor under Dr. David A. Hampton, the tenth pastor called to the historic Bethany Baptist Church of Brooklyn until his departure in December of 2011.

Rev. Peyton is the father of one daughter, Rose LaVerne Abernathy, grandfather of six and great-grandfather of twenty.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Reverend Jasper E. Peyton for his tremendous contributions to his congregants and the community.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the Reverend Jasper E. Peyton.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ernest A. Sampson III, a man dedicated to serving God, his family, and the community. Ernest Sampson is the youngest of three children born to Ernest Jr. and Fay Sampson. As a young child, Mr. Sampson would often spend time with his maternal grandparents, James and Winona Willie of Brooklyn, NY. While there he learned to emulate the caring nature of his grandmother and the respect his grandfather earned from the surrounding community as the head of James H. Willie Funeral Home, Inc. As a result, an honest interest in service for young Mr. Sampson was born.

Receiving his early education in the New York Public School system, Mr. Sampson graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1982 and went on to obtain his Bachelor's of Science degree in Funeral Service Administration from St. John's University in 1986. In 1986, after taking several exams and serving in a one year apprenticeship with the James H. Willie Funeral Home, Mr. Sampson achieved his lifelong goal of becoming a licensed funeral director. Many of life's challenges would come the young man's way, yet he pursued his dreams and aspirations and established Sampson Funeral Service in 1993. Since that time, Mr. Sampson has expanded his ministry of comfort throughout the Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens communities. Mr. Simpson has conducted numerous educational seminars on the topics of funerals, consolation, and city, state, and federal burial assistance programs. These seminars have been piloted on Career Days at schools, community events, and at youth organizations.

Mr. Sampson currently serves on the ministerial and teaching staffs of the First Baptist Full Gospel Church of Brownsville, NY. He has received awards from Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz as well as the New York Men of Distinction award, and also served as a sponsor for Operation Get Ahead in 2003, Annual Youth Explosion in 2003, and the Coney Island Youth Alive sponsor in 2012.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Sampson for his extraordinary accomplishments as a funeral director in New York City. Appreciation, comfort, and professionalism are paramount in his life and serve as guiding posts for the families and communities he serves.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mr. Sampson.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to and honor Albert Terry, for his track record in public service and his commitment to charity.

Albert Terry came to Brooklyn by way of North Carolina in January 1936 with his parents Martha and Caswell Terry and three sisters, Lucy, Dorothy, and Ethel. Shortly after settling in Brooklyn, he joined Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church and became active in the usher board, male chorus, senior choir, and briefly served as trustee.

Albert graduated from Boys High School in 1948. In September 1950 he met and married Zenith Tatum and had three children, Laura Denise, Albert Jr. and Douglas Clayton. He

and the family settled on Decatur Street where he joined the Decatur- Howard-Saratoga Block Association in October 1953. He was elected president, serving 1958-1959, then served again from 1983-1985.

From 1959 to 1967, Albert worked for the New York Transit Authority as a bus driver. In 1983 Albert was selected to join the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge. In July 1985, he joined the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Knights of the Mystic Shrine, Abu Bekr Temple No. 61 and served until 2005. He later worked briefly for Assemblyman William Boyland, Sr., going around to the various schools and day care centers to find out what they needed in the way of assistance or participating in events such as graduations and other affairs. Albert and Zenith celebrated 62 years of marriage on September 17, 2012.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Albert Terry for his successful career and continued work in service to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Percel Jones. It is an honor to represent Mr. Jones in the House of Representatives and I call on my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to such an outstanding citizen.

Bro. Percel Jones was born in Camden, NC to the late Ida Mae Jones Gregory. He was raised by his great grandmother, Ida Mae Dough Jones who also raised his mother. He is the oldest of eight, with six sisters and one brother. He is the father of three sons and has seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. After attending public school in North Carolina, he served four years in the United States Air Force where he went to cooking school. With on the job training, he learned to cook for as many as 2,500 people.

In 1961, he moved to Brooklyn, NY where he applied his skills in restaurants, school lunchrooms and New York hospitals. In 1967, he began employment with the New York City Transit Authority as a conductor, was elevated to motorman and retired as a motor instructor after 24 years, 3 months, and 7 days on the job. He is a member of Berean Baptist church where he serves faithfully as an usher. In 1973, he entered, passed and was raised to a master mason in African 459 Lodge #63, PHA.

In 1974, he became a member of Long Island Consistory #61. In 1975, he joined Mt. Moriah Chapter #3 R.A.M. He was created in ABU BEKR Temple #91 A.E.A.O.N.M.S. of North and South American Jurisdiction. In August of 2009, he received his Honorary Past Potentate degree. In May of 2011, he was elevated to the 33rd and last degree of masonry, the United Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry P.H.A. of the Northern Jurisdiction in Denver, CO. At the 119th Imperial Council Session A.E.A.O.N.M.S. Inc. held in New Orleans, LA in August of 2012, he received his Legion of Honor Certificate.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Percel Jones.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Mr. Gary A. Wright. It is an honor to represent Mr. Wright in the House of Representatives and I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to such an outstanding citizen.

Mr. Wright was born in Brooklyn, NY. He was the 3rd of six children of the late George Wright and Jerline Wright. He attended and graduated from Boy's High School. Following graduation, he took an interest in photography which gave him the opportunity to work in such communities as Brownsville, East New York and Bedford Stuyvesant. He also joined the New York City Auxiliary Police Force. In 1968, he joined the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and worked at Kennedy Airport.

He received certificates of appreciation for providing technical instruction during the General Maintainer and Driver Training (CDL) programs, a world trade center award for exceptional service and the world trade center 9/11

responder award. He currently resides with his wife Edith and family in New Jersey.

Mr. Wright was elevated and raised in African Lodge 459 #63 in 1979. Became a member of the Long Island Consistory No. 61 A.A.S.R. and is also a member of the Medina Temple No.19 A.E.A.O.M.S.

May our country continue to benefit from the civic actions of committed and laudable citizens such as Mr. Wright.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Bro. Gary A. Wright for his tremendous contributions to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Enrique Osborne.

Enrique, known affectionately as ``Tito,'' migrated to Brooklyn, New York from Panama at the age of 13 in 1950. After Enrique graduated

from High School he joined the United States Air Force and after his service he worked as a supervisor for the Advertising Distributors of America. He later worked for the New York City Transit Authority until his retirement.

In 1975, Tito was made a master mason in the Jessie Milton Lodge #70, King Solomon affiliation. Twelve years later, he joined African Lodge 459 #63, where he has served continuously and is currently a trustee.

A father of six, Gloria Louisa, Carlos, Antonio, Joseph, April and Gloria, and grandfather of ten, Tito still finds the time to be the President of the Bug Pack, a Philadelphia Volkswagen Club, and a member of the Ebony Rod and Gun Club.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Enrique ``Tito'' Osborne for his contribution to our community of Brooklyn.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, a visionary leader in our community and an inspiration to all of New York.

Ms. Gonzalez-Sanchez brings more than 30 years experience in the field of behavioral health administration, policy development, medical research, and expertise integrating accessible systems of care for New Yorkers. She is a Cabinet-level, Chief Executive Officer overseeing a premier addiction services system with more than 1,500 programs and 35,000 paid and volunteer professionals which serve 110,000 New Yorkers daily.

Ms. Gonzalez-Sanchez possesses a Masters of Social Work degree in Administration/Community Organization from Hunter College School of Social Work, as well as a Masters of Science degree in Cell Biology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Fordham University. She is a licensed Masters Social Worker.

As Commissioner of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, OASAS, her overall vision is to transform the fragmented system of care to a comprehensive, integrated, patient- centered, family-focused system that is accessible and responsive to the multiple and complex needs of the behavioral health population of today. Under her executive leadership, she has established the Enhanced Oversight and Monitoring Initiative to improve programmatic and fiscal accountability and quality service delivery throughout the OASAS system.

Before coming to OASAS, Ms. Gonzalez-Sanchez was Commissioner of the newly merged Nassau County Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities with the Nassau County Department of Drug and Alcohol Addiction Services in Long Island. Ms. Gonzalez-Sanchez also held a faculty appointment at Cornell University Medical College as an Associate Research Scientist where she spent eight years

in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy working on cardiac and molecular biology research. She has numerous publications in medical journals and textbooks and has received recognition for her early work on DNA sequencing and cloning.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Commissioner Gonzalez-Sanchez for her work ensuring high-quality care and services for the most vulnerable New Yorkers.