A Happy New Year to All!

I want to personally thank you all for your friendship and support this past year and every year, and I am honored to be your Council Member. I wish you and your family a Happy New Year blessed with health and happiness!

— IN THE PAST WEEK —

Remembering Ann Jawin

‘A tenacious and unstoppable trailblazer:’ Center for the Women of New York founder Ann Jawin, a Douglaston resident, dies at 97'

"Ann Juliano Jawin, a Douglaston resident and founder of the Center for the Women of New York, died on Dec. 31. She was 97 years old.

News of Jawin’s death came less than a month after she celebrated the grand opening of a brand new women’s center in Fort Totten. Members of the community expressed condolences for the pioneer who dedicated her life to women’s equality and empowerment.

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Ann Jawin, founder of the Center for the Women of NY. Ann was an outspoken activist who, for decades, devotedly dedicated herself to improving the lives of all women throughout the city of New York,” said Councilman Paul Vallone on Twitter."

Read More About Ann Jawin at Queens Courier

Just a few short weeks ago, I was honored to join Ann as she proudly witnessed her long-awaited dream come true — the grand opening of the nonprofit's new headquarters at Fort Totten in Northeast Queens, where her legacy will carry on. I wish her family and friends peace and comfort during this difficult time.

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Vallone Announces Whitestone Street Co-Naming for Decorated WWII Veteran

At Thursday’s Stated Meeting, the New York City Council approved legislation by Council Member Paul A. Vallone to co-name 156th Street between 14th Avenue and Cryders Lane, “CPL. John McHugh Way.”

John McHugh, born March 6, 1924, was drafted into the United States Army and served in the First Infantry Division in WWII. He fought at the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge and received the following awards and recognitions:

The Silver Star for gallantry in action
Bronze Star for meritorious service,
European Theater of Operations Ribbon, which contains silver arrow head for the Normandy invasion
Four Bronze Stars which indicate the major battles he fought in,
Two Presidential Unit Citations for Crucifix Hill and Hurtgen Forest,
Combat Infantry Badge and the Fort Eger given by Belgium for action there during the war

In 2014, he was inducted into the state Senate Veterans Hall of Fame and was an honoree at the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade. Corporal McHugh passed away on July 21, 2019 at age 95.

“We as residents of Northeast Queens were blessed to have an American hero like Corporal John McHugh call our great neighborhood home,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “Corporal McHugh was a highly decorated veteran who fought bravely with the Allied powers at the historic Battle of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, major turning points in World War II. With this co-naming in the spring, we will honor a true man of courage.”

Read Coverage:

Queens Courier

Queens Gazette

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— MORE NEWS —

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How Would You Spend $1M for Northeast Queens?

Participatory Budgeting for District 19 is in full swing! If you would like to propose a project idea for this year’s Participatory Budgeting ballot to help improve our local parks, schools, libraries, etc, you can do so by contacting our office at [email protected] or calling 718-619-8611. Through Participatory Budgeting, you can directly decide how to spend at least $1 million in this year’s City budget.

After you have submitted your project idea, our office will contact you to discuss the next steps and how to turn your project ideas into real proposals for our ballot. These proposals will be up for a community-wide vote in the spring, where the projects that receive the most votes receive funding from our office!

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Christmas Eve Tradition at St. Mary's Hospital

It was an honor to surprise the amazing and hardworking angels that staff St. Mary's Hospital with a warm and delicious Christmas Eve dinner from Mike Molinari of Trattoria 35! The mission of St. Mary's is made real by these incredible folks, we're grateful to them always!

— IMPORTANT RESOURCES —