Andrea Stewart-Cousins's Photos

Senator Stewart-Cousins was in Albany for the first Regional Economic Development Council Awards Ceremony last week. The Mid Hudson Regional Economic Development Council won $67 million in grants, with $43 million going to Westchester County. The grants, part of this year’s budget agreement, will fund several key projects including $4 million for a biotechnology incubator at New York Medical College in Valhalla, $990,000 to install green roofs at St. John’s Riverside Hospital, $400,000 to revitalize the Tarrytown Music Hall, a total of $359,000 for projects in the Villages of Sleepy Hollow and Dobbs Ferry, and $40,000 for a job-training program at the Yonkers YWCA. In addition, $29.6 million will help transform School 6 in Yonkers into a 120 unit affordable housing building.

Senator Stewart-Cousins presented a proclamation to the Dobbs Ferry High School Varsity Football Team to recognize their achievement as the Class C New York State Champions. The Senator presented the award at a victory parade and celebration in honor of the team on Cedar Street in Dobbs Ferry. She then joined Mayor Hartley Connett and trustees for the community Christmas tree lighting.

Senator Stewart-Cousins recently met with the Roosevelt High School Skills USA Team and their teacher Mr. Frank Leonetti to discuss proposed legislation that would prohibit smoking in State parks. Skills USA is a national organization that helps high school and college students develop leadership and career skills. The Roosevelt team has been working on a project to raise money and awareness about cancer research. They requested the meeting with Senator Stewart-Cousins as part of their project and also organized “A Walk to Support the Fight Against Cancer” which will take place at 10:30 AM on December 17 at the Roosevelt High School Athletic Field. Their work will culminate in June at the Skills USA National Leadership Conference, where they will share their experiences with other Skills USA Teams around the country.

On Veteran’s Day, Senator Stewart-Cousins attended several events throughout her district to honor the service of our military. The following Sunday, she participated in the 2nd annual “Walk for Wounded Veterans” at Tibbetts Brook Park. Organized in part by Shoprite, the walk raised money for Tower of Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to wounded veterans. For more information about The Tower of Hope, click here.

Senator Stewart-Cousins attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Shoreline Stabilization Project in Dobbs Ferry. The project will restore and stabilize portions of the eroding Hudson River shoreline in the village’s Waterfront Park, which have not been reinforced in more than 50 years. It was jointly financed by the Village of Dobbs Ferry, Westchester County, a grant from the New York Department of State’s Waterfront Revitalization Program, and a generous $1 million donation from Dobbs Ferry philanthropists Marie and Arch McKellar. This is the first phase of the village’s broader waterfront revitalization program, which will eventually include a River Walk, a kayak launch and additional green space for recreational activities.

Senator Stewart-Cousins spoke at a press conference with US Senator Charles Schumer, calling on state, local and county officials to clear debris from the Saw Mill River. She also called on FEMA to cover the costs of this clean-up through their Public Assistance Grant Program, which helps government entities pay for storm recovery.

Senator Stewart-Cousins attended the Summer Celebration at the Eileen Fisher LAB Store in Irvington. Located at the Eileen Fisher corporate headquarters, the LAB Store offers four categories of women's clothing; current designs, recent designs, samples and recycled clothing. All proceeds of sales from the recycled clothing are directed to charities that help women and girls

Senator Stewart-Cousins attended the New York premiere of the film "More to Live For" at the Irvington Town Hall theatre. The documentary- film tells the stories of three individuals struck by leukemia, and details their struggles to find the vital bone marrow matches that would save their lives. The subjects of the film were all talented and ambitious men with no obvious connection to each other. They were the late Michael Brecker, a longtime resident of Hastings who was one of the most influential tenor saxophonists of all time; James Chippendale, who owns a company that insures musical performances and large-scale events; and Seun Adebiyi, who hopes to become the first Nigerian to compete in the winter Olympics. The film was directed by Noah Hutton, of Irvington, and produced by Susan Brecker, wife of Michael and longtime resident of Hastings. The Senator had the opportunity to meet Mr. Hutton and Ms. Brecker as well as one of the subjects of the film, Mr. Adebiyi. She is pictured here with Mr. Hutton (left) and Mr. Adebiyi (middle).

Senator Stewart-Cousins took part in a hearing of the Investigations and Government Operations Committee in Long Island regarding the "Finance, Policies and Practices of the MTA." Testifying at the hearing was Jay Walder, Chairman and CEO of the MTA; Helena Williams, President of the Long Island Railroad; Kenneth B. Bleiwas, Director of Bureau of Agency Analysis, Office of the Comptroller; John Samuelson, President of the Transport Workers Union Local 100; and Ira Greenberg, Chairman of the Executive Committee Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA. The hearing examined the MTA's costs and revenue streams, and explored ways to maintain service without drastically increasing fares. To see a picture of Senator Stewart-Cousins at the hearing, click here.