Our nation is eternally grateful to the men and women who have stepped up to serve to defend our freedom.
We mark this day to thank veterans for their service and are reminded of the importance of the sacred duty to take care of them when they return home. Happy Veterans Day 🇺🇸
This week the reimagined Buffalo Pride Week is happening across Western New York.
It's a bit different, but we are still coming together to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. My office is proud to participate in the reverse parade.
Happy Pride Buffalo! 🏳️🌈
Today, we mark Purple Heart Day to honor those wounded and killed in battle.
My grandfather was a recipient who served in the Marines and was wounded in 1945 in Iwo Jima.
Thank you to all our Purple Heart recipients, and all who have and continue to serve our country 💜
Transit Workers Deserve a Fair Contract
Earlier this year I visited bus drivers to talk about their experience as essential workers.
As the pandemic hit, our transit workers were on the job, working to keep our economy moving. They are heroes, and ATU Local 1342 deserves a fair contract!
#NoZeroesForATUHeroes
Buffalo Zoo reopening
Looking for a safe and fun family activity this summer? Visit The Buffalo Zoo!
The zoo is back open, with new safety measures to protect visitors. Stopped by to chat with Zoo President and CEO Norah Fletchall about the new zoo experience - and check out the bald eagle 🦅
The Toronto Blue Jays are coming to Buffalo this summer!
Buffalo has not had Major League Baseball since 1885.
Proud to welcome them to WNY. Let's go Blue Jays! ⚾️
Final Floor Speech
This week's legislative session will most likely be the last of 2020 - and the last time I come to the floor to pass bills as a member of the NYS Assembly.
I thanked my colleagues and Assembly staff, and reflected on the last 9 years. Looking forward to the journey ahead!
North Buffalo Strong
Small businesses are the cornerstone of our communities. The Hertel Business Association started their #northbuffalostrong campaign to support their small business owners during the pandemic.
As we begin to reopen and see the light at the end of the tunnel, this is a great example of how we can help our neighbors get back on their feet.
Every week, over 6,600 meals are distributed from the Hamburg Central School District - Hamburg, NY to students throughout the community.
Thanks to the teachers and volunteers who are stepping up. It's a tough time, but I appreciate the hard work to make sure our kids get the nutrition they need 🍎
In the last few months we have all taken the time to celebrate the heroes in our communities who put their lives on the line for all of us.
On Memorial Day, we honor the soldiers who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We must never forget 🇺🇲
New York Forward Virtual Town Hall
May is National Bike Month 🚴
As the weather is getting nicer, we are all clamoring to get outside and enjoy a nice bike ride.
Buffalo Bike Tours has created an app where you can ride and listen to tours highlighting stories of WNY. Check them out at BuffaloBikeTours.com
Butera's open during Covid
Restaurants like Butera's Craft Beer & Craft Pizzas in Hamburg are thinking creatively and continuing to serve the community (with great locally made pizza and beer🍕🍺)
You can support neighborhood businesses during this time by calling in your order and doing curbside pick up 🚗
National Nurses Week
As we continue to mark #NationalNursesWeek, I spoke with Ron from West Seneca who has been an RN for 14 years.
He stepped up to help our fellow New Yorkers in NYC in the COVID-19 fight, caring for patients at NYU Langone. Our nurses are amazing, and Buffalo is truly the City of good neighbors.
Hess Brothers video
Mother's Day is this Sunday, and places like Hess Brothers Florist of Hamburg, Inc. are operating with limited staff, offering no-contact delivery and curbside pickup.
A great way to stay socially distant and support our local businesses.
National Nurses Week
To mark the start of #NationalNursesWeek, I spoke with Cindy who has been an RN for more than 30 years.
She currently works at Buffalo General in the ICU caring for COVID-19 patients. I am in awe of the incredible work our nurses are doing every day.
Feed Hamburg is a vital resource for the Hamburg community. During this difficult time, they need our help to support families and seniors with essential supplies.
You can help by dropping off supplies at our contact-free food and supply drive.
DATE: Saturday, May 2, 2020
TIME: 8AM - 2PM
LOCATION: Old Time Baptist Church, 5599 Camp Road, Hamburg
DONATIONS NEEDED ➡️ canned goods, non-perishable goods, toiletries, diapers.
🚗Volunteers will be on hand to take donations from your car, for a contact-free experience🚗
Thank you to everyone at Aspire
The team at Aspire of WNY has been working hard to meet the diverse needs of the individuals they serve.
Management has been working with the union to ensure the necessary safety precautions and equipment are in place for care providers to help keep everyone safe.
It's great to see everyone working together under difficult circumstances to provide great care for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
The physical buildings may be closed but Erie County libraries are very much open - online!
WiFi is available outside of every branch and any Erie County resident can get an e-library card by visiting: vf.buffalolib.org/vufind/OnlineSignup/Home and signing up.
Thanks to Buffalo & Erie County Public Library - Central Library for meeting this challenge head on and continuing to be a community resource for all.
50th Anniversary of Earth Day
Great to join Riverkeeper and Clean and Healthy New York for a virtual Earth Day event.
I spoke about the legacy of industrial pollution in WNY, the environmental progress we have made, and what the 50th anniversary of Earth Day means to me 🌎
Caregivers are an important part of the frontline response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The workers at Child & Family Services are taking care of children in our community and helping domestic violence survivors with the care they need. If you are in need of assistance, call 716-884-6000.
Thank you to the essential employees at People Inc.
Group home workers like Adaia are doing an incredible job dealing with this difficult time.
Homes like this one operated by People Inc. in Buffalo offer vitally important programs for people with special needs and their families.
Thank you to all of our essential workers!
Small retail businesses are able to continue operating during the pandemic if they have one employee working and serve their clients curbside.
Runner's Roost in Orchard Park is one of the many local retailers still serving customers, and I stopped by to talk with Rob Fox about how it's going🏃
Thank you to everyone working at the Zoo to care for the animals during the Covid crisis
While we are staying home, the dedicated staff at The Buffalo Zoo are still on the job caring for animals every day.
Looking forward to seeing families enjoying the zoo again soon. Stopped by to say hello to all the cool cats and kittens...and bison 🐅
Thank you to NFTA employees
Many essential employees depend on public transit to get to and from work.
From drivers, to repair techs and cleaning staff, NFTA employees, NFTA Transit Authority Police Department and members of ATU 1342 are working hard during this crisis to ensure people are safely able to get to work, doctors appointments, and to the grocery store.
Thank you to all of you for your hard work in these difficult times.
Holy days in WNY
This time of year is usually filled with family gatherings, but with social distancing, our celebrations are going to be a bit different.
I know we will still find ways to connect this week to share in time honored traditions. Wishing everyone a Happy Easter and a Happy Passover.
Thank you to WNY grocery store workers
Most of us are staying at home during the #COVID19 pause, but essential businesses like the Lexington Co-op are still open to serve the needs of our community.
Thank you to everyone working at the Co-Op and grocery stores across WNY for your hard work during this crisis.
Helping Our Community
Many New Yorkers are able to work from home, but let's not forget about the essential workers who still have to leave the house every day to keep things moving.
Recently visited PS76 in Buffalo to help the dedicated Buffalo Schools staff distribute meals to families in need.