Weekly Newsletter from the Office of Congressman Andrew Garbarino If you were forwarded this email, click here to subscribe An update from the office of Congressman Andrew Garbarino ANDREW IN THE NEWS Boat safety, training key to staying safe on July Fourth weekend on the water " Thousands of boats are expected to be on the water for the Fourth of July weekend, and experts say some of those operating them are unprepared to navigate safely...Experts and law enforcement officials are looking to improve safety on the water with measures like New York’s Brianna’s Law, passed in 2019 and says that by January 2025, all powerboat operators, regardless of age, must have a boating safety certificate after a state-approved eight-hour course. The law phased in such training based on age. Boats can be operated by anyone as young as 10 with a boating safety certificate, according to New York State law. Long Island Congressional representatives Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport), Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) and Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) are sponsoring the Brianna Lieneck Boating Safety Act, which would encourage states to mandate boating safety training and direct the U.S. Coast Guard to submit a report to Congress on ways to improve boating safety and “reduce the number of boating accidents that occur due to untrained boat operators.” Brianna's mother, Gina Lieneck, recalled the crash that killed 11-year-old Brianna in 2005, in which she, her husband and another daughter, Danyelle, also were critically injured after their boat was struck by a larger vessel while returning from Fire Island. Boating while intoxicated charges were filed against the other boat operator, but later dropped. “I lost my beautiful daughter Brianna to a horrific boating accident 18 years ago on the Great South Bay,” Gina Lieneck said in a statement through Garbarino’s office. “Life changed in a matter of seconds … Each year, too many Americans are injured or killed due to preventable recreational boating accidents on our waterways.” " Read the full article here. WHAT'S NEW IN NY-02 Celebrating Our Veterans Andrew's team recently attended the United Veterans Beacon House (UVBH) Annual Independence Day Picnic in support of the veterans UVBH serves. United Veterans Beacon House founded in 1994, assists more than 800 veterans and veteran families each year providing the support and specialized services needed for their return to independence. CASEWORK HIGHLIGHT: Securing Hardship Benefits For Veteran A veteran from Deer Park was told that he did not qualify for VA benefits due to his household income totals for 2022. He was then instructed to complete a Hardship Form based on the significant loss of household income from the 2022 totals. The veteran reached out to Andrew's office for help expediting his request. Andrew's casework team was able to secure the acceptance of his application and he will be receiving benefits. Andrew knows how frustrating dealing with bureaucracy can be. That is why he has an entire team dedicated to helping constituents get what they need for the federal government. If you need help dealing with a federal agency, contact our office and our team will get to work on your case. KEEPING UP WITH CONGRESS Andrew Introduces Bill To Improve Boating safety For Long Islanders This week, Andrew introduced The Brianna Lieneck Boating Safety Act of 2023. This legislation is in honor of Briana Lieneck, an 11 year old girl from Long Island who was tragically killed in a boating accident in 2005, and would direct the U.S. Coast Guard to study and submit to Congress a report on recreational vessel operator education and training in order to improve boating safety and reduce the number of boating accidents that occur due to untrained boat operators. Fellow South Shore Representatives Nick LaLota and Anthony D'Esposito co-sponsored the bill. Many Long Islanders spend their summers enjoying boating and other water activities, but if we don’t proactively prioritize safety that’s when tragedies happen. Read more here. Andrew Cosponsors Bill To Combat Retail Crime Andrew recently became a cosponsor of H.R. 895, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA). This bipartisan, bicameral legislation targets the rise in organized retail crime gangs hurting retailers and threatening public safety. CORCA would establish the Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center at Homeland Security Investigations, combining expertise from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies along with retail industry representatives to create a cohesive national strategy to curb organized retail crime. Thanks for reading! Do you know someone who might like to receive these updates? Forward this email to your friends and families and tell them to click below to subscribe! Click Here To Subscribe Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino Congressman representing New York's 2nd Congressional District Washington, D.C. 2344 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-7896 Patchogue 31 Oak Street Suite 20 Patchogue, NY 11772 Phone: (631) 541-4225 Rep. Garbarino | 2344 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]