Council Member Morano on codifying Staten Island flag into city law
Council Member Morano speaks on Intro 320, his first bill to pass, codifying the Staten Island flag into city law. He frames it as a message that Staten Island matters and is seen by city government, thanking the Staten Island delegation and flag designer Amal Micah.
Thank you, Majority Leader.
I rise today with a great deal of...
of pride in support of Introduction 320, which will make the Staten Island flag official, officially codified into city law.
Now, I know there are people who will say, it's just a flag.
I respectfully disagree.
For Staten Islanders, this is about something much larger.
For too long, many people in my borough have felt that when decisions are made in this building at City Hall, Staten Island is somewhere off in the distance, and not just geographically.
Today sends a different message.
We see you.
City government sees you.
Your history matters.
Your identity matters.
You matter.
Your borough matters.
And I hope this is part of a new chapter in the relationship between Staten Island and city government.
Today, we're getting our flag recognized.
And tomorrow, hopefully, it's our transportation needs, our infrastructure, our public safety concerns, and all the other things Staten Islanders have been rightly yelling about for years.
We're very grateful for the flag.
We're not going to stop calling 311 with other complaints.
I want to thank Speaker Julie-Menin for her support, all of my colleagues in the council, and especially my partners in the Staten Island Council delegation, Majority Whip Camila Hanks and my brother, Minority Leader David Carr.
This was bipartisan because Staten Island Pride doesn't have a party registration.
I want to recognize Amal Micah, whose beautiful design.
We've now made an official part of our city's history.
This is the first bill I've prime sponsored to pass this body, and I couldn't have been luckier, at least I hope it'll pass, that my first is a bill celebrating the borough I love and am so privileged to represent.
Today, Staten Island isn't the forgotten borough.
Today, Staten Island is seen.
Thank you.
Thank you, Councilmember.
Anyone else signed up for general orders I haven't called on yet?
All right.
Report of special committees.
None.