Issues: Miscellaneous

As you may know, earlier this week a massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti and its capital, Port-au-Prince.  The death and devastation are unimaginable, and the people of Haiti will need the assistance of people all over the world, including Americans, to recover from this tragedy.

The Special Committee of Inquiry, chaired by Senator Eric T. Schneiderman, to investigate the conduct for which Senator Hiram Monserrate was convicted by the State Supreme Court of Queens County, today released its final report with recommendations.

“As the immediate relief efforts are underway and ongoing in Haiti, it is my understanding that the Governor has instructed New York State to work with our federal officials and local officials on the ground to identify resource needs. Even as our resources are mobilized as quickly as possible, it will take hours -- and in many cases days -- to get all of our first-responders and resources on the ground in a safe and orderly manner.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the Haiti earthquake, to their families and their friends -- and our gratitude to everyone coming to their aid.

See the following links for information on the Haiti relief effort:

"Local Red Cross officials: Cash best way to aid quake victims" (Corning Leader, January 15, 2010)

Press Contact: Steve Mangione 914-403-4072 (cellular) or 718-518-1600 WHEN: 2 p.m. Thursday, January 14, 2010 WHERE: District Office of State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr., 400 East Fordham Road, Seventh Floor, Bronx, NY (entrance on Webster Avenue) SUBJECT:

(New York, NY)- Senator José M. Serrano joined New York State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, and Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat, to announce a lawsuit by the Attorney General's Office against two companies that provided fraudulent and unauthorized immigration services to countless victims in New York City.  The lawsuits were filed against International Immigrants Foundation, Inc. ("IIF"), International Professional Association, Inc. ("IPA"), and their President Edward Juarez, all operating in New York City and generating millions of dollars each year.