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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Introduction and opening remarks
0:07:08
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66 sec
Commissioner James Hendon opens the testimony with acknowledgments and an overview of the hearing's purpose. He introduces key DVS staff members and outlines the structure of his testimony.
- Acknowledges veteran community members in attendance
- Introduces DVS leadership team present at the hearing
- Provides a roadmap for the testimony, including topics to be covered
James Hendon
0:07:08
Before I start, I just wanna thank folks who are here.
0:07:10
I know it's been a while as far as all who are here, those veteran community members who are here today.
0:07:14
Thank you so much for being with us right now.
0:07:17
Good afternoon, chair Holden, members of the veteran community, other council members, and members of New York City's Veteran community who are in attendance.
0:07:23
My name is James Hendon.
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I am honored to serve as commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans Services or DVS.
0:07:29
Joining me for today's hearing are Cassandra Alvarez, our agency's chief of staff, and Lamar Wheeler, DVS' senior executive director of housing support services.
0:07:37
We pray today's testimony offers you insights into the role that DVS plays in New York City's Veteran community particularly as budget season approaches.
0:07:44
Our objective is to give you a rich viewpoint as which a viewpoint as possible from us as you factor in all stakeholders while charting an optimal path for those who have served in the US armed forces past and present and their loved ones in New York City.
0:07:57
By way of a road map, we will discuss demographics, the history of the agency, how we're structured, our service of charter mandated areas, agency priorities, a SWAT analysis, strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats, recommendations for the council from a discretionary funding standpoint, and our perspective on budget issues at DVS.