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New York City Council
Codifying the official flag of the borough of Staten Island
Read summaries and jump into the video at the segment start.
Council staff welcomes attendees to the Committee on Governmental Operations, State and Federal Legislation vote, asks everyone to silence electronic devices, and confirms the committee is ready to begin.
Gale Brewer introduces herself as committee chair and welcomes council members in attendance, including Morano, Wilson, Zhuang, Feliz, Dinowitz, and Carr, noting Carr's Staten Island connection.
Brewer announces the committee will vote on Council Member Morano's bill, Intro 320A, which would codify the official flag of Staten Island, allowing it to be used at official events.
Brewer explains that currently only Brooklyn and the Bronx have codified their borough flags, joking about Manhattan's absence, and notes the Staten Island flag has been in use since 2016.
Brewer explains the flag was commissioned by then-Borough President James Otto and replaced a previous flag that was roundly disliked by Staten Island residents. The bill simply codifies the flag already in use.
Brewer acknowledges Johari Frazier, Erica Cohen, and Senator Hamid from the Government Operations committee, as well as Cynthia Honig and James Liu from her office, noting Liu is from Staten Island.
Frank Morano begins his statement, saying Staten Islanders have never needed a law to be proud of their borough but that their flag should finally have the law on its side. He notes the flag was commissioned by Borough President James Otto and designed by Amal Micah.
Morano details the flag's imagery: a woman representing New York City standing on Staten Island looking over the Narrows, Henry Hudson's Half Moon, Native Americans and Dutch settlers, symbols of peace, and the dates 1609 and 1898. He calls it 'a history lesson you can raise on a flagpole.'
Morano addresses critics who question the bill's importance, arguing that Staten Islanders sometimes feel removed from the rest of the city. He says the more connected New Yorkers feel to their borough, the more connected they feel to the city as a whole.
Morano highlights the nonpartisan support from the entire Staten Island delegation, thanking Majority Whip Hanks and Minority Leader Carr as partners. He notes Staten Island pride brings Democrats and Republicans together and thanks Carr and Camilla for making it a true delegation effort.
Morano expresses gratitude to Speaker Menin and Chair Brewer for their support, thanks colleagues outside Staten Island who joined the bill, and says he looks forward to the day the flag is raised as the official flag of Staten Island. He urges a yes vote.
Brewer thanks Morano and turns the proceedings over to the committee clerk, William Martin, to call the roll on Proposed Introduction 320A.
Clerk William Martin calls the roll. Brewer, Dinowitz, Feliz, Stevens, Zhuang, Wilson, and Morano all vote aye, with several offering congratulations to Morano and Staten Island. Dinowitz notes Staten Island joins the Bronx and Brooklyn with a codified flag.
The clerk announces the bill passed by a vote of seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative, with no abstentions—a full committee vote. Chair Brewer declares the hearing finished.