Restler thanks MENA panel and supports data-driven policy

Thank you.

And I really want to thank this whole panel for coming and for your thoughtful testimony.

My favorite Mike Bloomberg quote is always, in God we trust, everyone else bring the data.

And it's so true.

If we don't have the data to understand the demographics of the MENA community, the businesses in the MENA community, then we can't structure the right policies to support that community.

And as the council member who represents Atlantic Avenue and downtown Brooklyn and Borum Hill, like many of the, you know, there are just extraordinary, extraordinary MENA businesses that have been,

that have called our community home for 100 years and have done so much to make our community the special place that it is.

And so.

There's a lot more that we can do to support those businesses and that community that has done so much to support New York City.

And I really am grateful to Councilmember Hanif for pushing this legislation, and I'm happy that we have the opportunity to have a hearing on it today and look forward to working together with all of you on the next steps.

So thank you so much.

Unless either of you have questions.

No.

Thank you.

Appreciate you all being here.

Thank you.