The Indian Panorama

Tag: Senator John Liu

  • LIU AND LAVINE CALL FOR PASSAGE OF THEIR LEGISLATION REQUIRING NY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO TEACH THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE ATTACK ON THE U.S. CAPITOL

    LIU AND LAVINE CALL FOR PASSAGE OF THEIR LEGISLATION REQUIRING NY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO TEACH THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE ATTACK ON THE U.S. CAPITOL

    ALBANY, NY (TIP): On the 5th anniversary of the January 6, 2001 Capitol Insurrection, State Senator John Liu and Assembly Member Charles Lavine are calling for the passage of their legislation to require New York public schools to teach students about the true history of that fateful day.

    President Trump has characterized the insurrection that resulted in the deaths of multiple people and injuries to multiple Capitol Police officers as a “day of love” and labeled the rioters as “patriots” and “hostages.” On his first day of office, Trump pardoned insurrectionists who were charged or convicted for their role in the attacks, even those convicted of violently assaulting police officers.

    The legislation, S6123/ A3966, would require schools to include the instruction of the January 6, 2021 insurrection and its aftermath alongside existing required coursework in civic education and other historical events such as slavery and the Holocaust.

    State Senator John Liu stated, “Five years after the Donald Trump-led Capitol insurrection, his administration continues to spin revisionist narratives to gaslight the American people into believing the events of that fateful day were somehow not a violent assault on our democracy. In an age when conspiracy theories are able to inspire and incite such wanton political violence, it is more important than ever that our schools equip the next generation with the truth, free from bias, and without prejudice, in order to protect our democracy.”

    Assembly Member Charles Lavine stated, “This bill is only necessary due to President Trump’s all-out effort to erase the January 6th insurrection, which he personally led, along with many other inglorious moments in our history, from the memory of time. I sincerely hope that Americans of good faith will challenge the administration’s attempts to move our nation towards an autocracy by attempting to whitewash parts of our history and instead fulfill our nation’s solemn obligation to teach our children the truth. Without it, our struggle to establish a more perfect union and ability to remain, as Lincoln put it, ‘earth’s last best hope,’ is in mortal peril.”

  • Senator John Liu shares his year-end thoughts with New Yorkers

    Senator John Liu shares his year-end thoughts with New Yorkers

    BAYSIDE, NY (TIP): New York State Senator John Liu in a statement released to The Indian Panorama wished New Yorkers a Happy New Year and shared his thoughts with them
    “As 2023 draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to wish you and your family a happy and healthy New Year and joyous holiday season! I am honored to serve as your State Senator and wanted to take a moment to share some reflections with you as we turn the page on a new year.

    As Chair of the Senate Committee on NYC Education, NYC’s public school children were on the top of my agenda. We reached a historical milestone this year with the Senate’s passage of my legislation to require the instruction of Asian American history in public schools. While we are still working with the Assembly to pass the bill, passage in the senate is a huge step forward in our fight against anti-Asian hate with the understanding that Asian American history is American history. This year, and for the first time ever, the state fully funded Foundation Aid, which is the main source of funding for NYC public schools. As the city and state face looming financial challenges, this funding commitment is imperative for the city to be able to meet its mandates to provide a sound, basic education for all public school kids.

    We also passed landmark legislation that will give all students statewide a day off from school for Lunar New Year and all students in New York City a day off for Diwali!

    The coming year is among the most revered and auspicious in the Lunar New Year calendar – the Year of the Dragon, symbolizing power, nobility, honor, luck, and success. As we enter 2024, let’s resolve to reflect on what it means to be Americans and remain mindful of our responsibilities as New Yorkers and citizens of the world. For my part, I will continue to push for public policies that improve the quality of our public education system, and commit to supporting programs and services that uplift our diverse communities in the New Year and beyond.

    Wishing you and your loved ones all the best in 2024!”

  • SENATOR LIU, CHAMPIONS MARTIAL ARTS INTL, OPERATION CHILD RESCUE, JIBARITOS WITH TROOPS, PRESENT TOY DONATIONS TO MILITARY FAMILIES

    SENATOR LIU, CHAMPIONS MARTIAL ARTS INTL, OPERATION CHILD RESCUE, JIBARITOS WITH TROOPS, PRESENT TOY DONATIONS TO MILITARY FAMILIES

    BAYSIDE, NY (TIP): Senator John Liu, on December 20, concluded his 2023 Holiday Toy Drive with thousands of toy donations for families of soldiers at the 77th Sustainment Brigade in Fort Totten, Queens. Toy donations were collected throughout the month of December at the office of Senator Liu in Bayside, Champions Martial Arts schools and Operation Child Rescue.

    State Senator John Liu stated, “Many thanks to all who chipped in this year to brighten the spirits of children in our community. Many of our local military families stationed at Fort Totten have family members deployed overseas and are unable to spend the holidays together, so we are grateful for this tremendous outpouring of support for our hometown heroes!”

    Michael Ro (노찬훈), Head Master of Flushing Champions Martial Arts, stated, “I want to thank all the Champions Martial Arts schools for participating in this year’s toy drive. We are especially grateful to everyone who donated toys so the families of our military men and women can have a joyful holiday season.”

    William Dobie, President of Operation Cr Inc., stated, “I am so thankful to be a part of Senator Liu’s toy drive this year and to have participated in his event for the past five years. To be able to provide the children of soldiers actively serving with hundreds of toys each holiday season is such an honor. I could not do it without Champions Martial Arts and their dedication to giving back to the community. They are the reason why we are able to have successful toy drives each and every year.”

    Former Staff Sergeant and Founder of Jibaritos With Troops, Amee Hernandez, stated, “Jibaritos With Troops have been feeding and taking care of families as they leave for deployment and personally delivering toys to the troops. We want to thank everyone in our community who took time to give back this year.”

    Toys were collected at different Champions Martial Arts locations throughout Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island including locations in Flushing, Bayside, Forest Hills, College Point, Long Island City, Ozone Park, Kew Gardens, Copiague, Astoria, Ridgewood, East Meadow and 18th Avenue. Donations will benefit hundreds of military families stationed out of the 77th Sustainment Brigade at Fort Totten in Bayside, Queens. The majority of soldiers will be deployed this holiday season.

  • STATE HOLDS THE LINE ON NYC CHARTER SCHOOLS: SENATOR LIU

    STATE HOLDS THE LINE ON NYC CHARTER SCHOOLS: SENATOR LIU

    NEW YORK (TIP): State Senator John Liu stated the following about the tentative agreement to keep the New York City charter cap in place while allowing for the reassignment of 14 previously closed charter schools.

    “This tentative agreement holds the line on New York City’s charter cap, which exists to strike a balance between giving parents choice and the responsibility to keep public schools open and accessible to all.

    “As part of this agreement, 14 ‘zombie charters’ that have previously closed, and are within the existing charter cap, will be reassigned to new operators within the city. It is my sincere hope that these reassignments will go to the many historically underrepresented and minority-led charter operators, many of which have been waiting years for their turn at the wheel. “Of particular importance is a commitment by the governor to pay for the space for these 14 charter reassignments, which will alleviate the financial burden on the NYC Education system and remove the incentive for the city to co-locate charters in public schools.

    “Finally, this agreement comes with the understanding that additional measures on the accountability, transparency and operations of charter schools are necessary and impending. My colleagues and I have been working on this and will continue to prioritize this effort following the passage of the budget.”