PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Tenzin Tsering, Program Director of New York Tibetan Service Center, on Intro 100
4:32:28
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125 sec
Tenzin Tsering, representing the New York Tibetan Service Center, testified in support of Intro 100, which would make Losar (Tibetan New Year) a holiday for alternate side parking. He emphasized the cultural and religious significance of Losar for the Tibetan and Himalayan community in New York City.
- Tsering highlighted that New York is home to over 60,000 Tibetan Buddhists from different Himalayan countries.
- He stressed that passing this law would acknowledge and respect the traditions of Himalayan New Yorkers.
- The speaker argued that suspending alternate side parking on Losar would allow community members to celebrate without worrying about parking-related issues.
Tenzin Tsering
4:32:28
Good afternoon, Chair of Woman Brooks, Flowers, and members of the council So my name is Tenson Sering, and I'm a Tibetan American originally from India and living in Elmer's Queens for over 15 years.
4:32:40
I am also the program director of the New York Tibetan service center, a nonprofit organization, providing the total social services, and a city funded program for after school kids.
4:32:51
Today, I am here to testify and reason my support of intro 100 for for council member, Julie Wan, to make Losar to bet in Luna New Year, a holiday for alternates alternate side parking.
4:33:03
This bill is important to me because it is the only cultural and religious holiday that I personally celebrate that keeps me connected to my roots and gives meaning to my Tibetan heritage.
4:33:14
Which I'm sure many others here and in our community can relate to.
4:33:18
LOSR is our single most important cultural, religious, and tradition that is followed through generations.
4:33:24
Regardless of the religious sect, country or the part of the world we live in.
4:33:29
As you've been hearing, New York is home to over 60,000 Tibetan Buddhists from different Himalayan countries.
4:33:34
On an important day with our own religious customs, parking should be the last thing we should worry about.
4:33:40
What is important to know is that our family members sometimes have no choice but to neglect or abandon important customs and traditions due to those minute stresses.
4:33:50
Just like other communities who celebrate their holiday, the Himalayan community, my community, should have the opportunity to celebrate one of our main holidays with our family, with ease as we have the right to.
4:34:01
And like others have mentioned before, not not have to worry about parking spaces, tickets, fines, meter issues, etcetera.
4:34:09
If this law passes, again, it would be the 1st and only alternate site parking holiday that is specific to Tibetan Buddhist and people from across the Himalayan region by suspending alternate side parking on Los Art, it tells the Himalayan New Yorkers that our city sees us, acknowledges us, acknowledges us, and our traditions.
4:34:30
Because in the end, New York City is our city
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
4:34:32
to paint.
Tenzin Tsering
4:34:33
Thank you.