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Memorials and acknowledgments for deceased public figures and tragic events
0:16:06
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3 min
Council Member Adrienne E. Adams pays tribute to several deceased public figures and acknowledges recent tragic events. She honors the life of Congressman Charlie Rangel, victims of an anti-Semitic attack, and various city workers who recently passed away.
- Specific mentions include Congressman Charlie Rangel, victims of an anti-Semitic attack at the Israeli embassy, and NYC Media camera operator Anthony Austin.
- Adams also acknowledges the deaths of a DEP engineer, construction workers, naval cadets, and a New Yorker who died in a fire.
- The council member expresses condolences and solidarity with the families and communities affected by these losses.
Adrienne E. Adams
0:16:06
Thank you very much majority leader and good afternoon everyone.
0:16:09
Before we begin, I want to acknowledge the life of congressman Charlie Rangel.
0:16:15
He was a giant figure for Harlem, New York City, and the entire nation.
0:16:20
He fought for this country in the Korean War and dedicated his life to fighting for working families in our city and our country.
0:16:28
He was the first black chair of the house ways and means committee and a force representing New York City in congress for decades.
0:16:35
I was honored to know him.
0:16:37
His legacy will continue to live on in our city and within all of us who were influenced by him.
0:16:44
I also want to acknowledge the unimaginable tragedy that took place last Wednesday when Yaron Leshinsky and Sarah Milgram, two workers at the Israeli embassy were killed in a horrific anti semitic attack.
0:16:58
No one should be the target of violence due to their religion, background, or beliefs, and our Jewish community like all communities deserve to be safe.
0:17:09
We must continue to work together to root out anti semitism in all forms of hate.
0:17:14
My heart and prayers are with Yaron and Sarah's families and communities who must now carry the unbearable weight of their losses.
0:17:22
Earlier this month, our city lost members of our own workforce.
0:17:27
Anthony Austin, affectionately known as Tony, served NYC media for twenty years as a camera operator covering city council hearings and meetings, as well as events all around city hall.
0:17:43
A New York Emmy award winner, Tony dedicated his life to amplifying underrepresented voices especially those in our black and Latino communities.
0:17:54
He leaves behind his wife Natalia and his children Derry, Michael, Matteos and Christina.
0:18:02
Tony's presence, his infectious smile and kind nature will be missed all around city hall particularly with his peers and colleagues and my heart goes out to all of his loved ones, his family, and his entire team at NYC Media.
0:18:23
I also want to acknowledge the life of Raymond Fiege, a DEP engineer who died over the weekend after an explosion on board a barge in the Hudson River.
0:18:33
We also mourn the lives of two construction workers who died while on the job in Little Italy earlier this month, as well as two naval cadets, America Yemelet Sanchez and Adel Hayer Marcos, who were killed when a Mexican Navy training ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge last week.
0:18:52
Lastly, want to acknowledge the life of Ashik Hussain, a 53 year old New Yorker who died in a fatal fire in council member Aviles district last week.
0:19:02
My heart is with their loved ones and their family as they navigate this tragedy.
0:19:07
My thoughts are with all of the families and loved ones who are grieving today.