Morano acknowledges Republican Conference director and colleagues

Thank you, Chair Hudson.

I also was negligent in not acknowledging and thanking the man who's got the toughest job in city government, the executive director of the New York City Republican Conference, Peter Spencer, who's been

a big help, not just in this hearing, but in everything that we do.

I want to acknowledge several of my colleagues on the Veterans Committee that are here,

Councilmember Wong, Councilmember De La Rosa, who people are still talking about from the incredible job that she did chairing these AI hearings,

and Councilmember Vicki Palladino, who I have to tell you, in addition to representing more veterans in her district than all of the rest of us,

she has really been the most vocal about the need for this committee

to pursue joint hearings with other committees because of all the common areas that veteran issues go along with throughout the rest of the city.

And I have to tell you, this hearing is largely a byproduct of her energy and her insistence that we do that.

And I have to tell you, so far, all of these joint hearings I've found to be incredibly informative and incredibly productive.

So, Councilmember Paldino, thank you for your advocacy for veterans.

And before we begin, I would love for you to speak.

about your resolution, which I'm proud to sponsor.