Speaker Julie Menin announces passage of Romancia's law and honors family

We will now have communication from Speaker Julie Menon.

Thank you, Mr.

Majority Leader, and I want to thank everyone for joining us today in the chambers.

For 19 years, the City Council has considered a ban on the horse carriage industry.

In fact, it was 19 years ago that the first City Council bill on this issue was actually introduced in these chambers.

Today, we are converting consideration into action.

For 19 years, a solution has been delayed and promises went unfulfilled.

Today, we plan to deliver on all fronts.

And for 19 years, we've debated the issue without an outcome.

All the while, while horse-drawn carriage was sadly in June involved in a tragic

Today we prevent the next one, passing Romancia's law and the process, and I want to thank Romancia's family and ask them to please stand up.

We thank you for being here today.

We know your unimaginable pain and grief, and we know that by passing Romancia's law, it is a lasting legacy in his honor.

So we really thank you for being here today.

There are many parties to thank for the success of these efforts.

We have NICLAS and PETA, countless advocates and community leaders.

Most importantly, I want to thank our city council colleagues.

For their thoughtful, intentional ways that they have gone about proposing, sponsoring, amending, and soon voting on this legislation.

I want to thank the bill sponsor, Councilmember Marte, for all of his hard work on this issue.

I want to thank the health chair, Councilmember Shulman, for her work.

You're getting applause on this issue and all of the colleagues.

And I also want to acknowledge and thank those who came before us in the council for their hard work in this issue.

We have with us today former council member Bob Holden, who was a major leader in the fight, having first introduced riders law in 2022.

Thank you, Bob.

And earlier, I don't know if he's still here, but earlier, ah, okay, thank you.

There's Rob, hello.

And earlier, former council member Tony Avella, who introduced that first bill 19 years ago, was here as well.