Speaker Menin recognizes heritage months, first responders, and welcomes guests

Switching gears a little, this month the Hindu community is celebrating

Nuvratri, Endura Japaiju, and Dasara.

These connected festivals honor the triumph of good over evil and the divine feminine.

However you celebrated, I hope your observance was joyful and meaningful.

October is Filipino American Heritage Month.

Okay, great.

In October of 1587, the first Filipinos arrived in our nation in what is now California.

Almost 500 years later, we are proud to have almost 100,000 Filipino Americans who call this city their home, from Little Manila and Woodside to those who work in every industry of our city.

It's also Polish American Heritage Month and the month that General Kazimierz Pulaski died, giving his life to the American Revolution two years after saving George Washington's.

The Polish population in this city has expanded greatly since, and their presence and their contributions are everywhere, from churches in Greenpoint to pierogies in our restaurants,

and we're very proud to celebrate that heritage.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month is also observed every October to celebrate workers with disabilities and promote inclusive workplace practices.

Almost one million people in our city have a disability, and hundreds of thousands of them are employed.

That's why I was very proud as Speaker that we created the first disability committee, a committee dedicated to this issue.

We will continue to ensure that all New Yorkers can work and keep a job.

October 28th is National First Responders Day.

We will honor the brave people across our five boroughs who protect us, to our firefighters, our police officers, our EMTs, our paramedics, and 9-11 dispatchers.

Thank you so much for everything you're doing every single day.

We at the council will continue to fight so that you all can receive the compensation you deserve.

October 31st is Halloween, so let me just on a lighter note wish everyone a happy Halloween.

And November 3rd is Election Day, so please make a plan to vote and alert your neighbors, friends, and family.

I want to give a warm welcome to One Strong Brotherhood, who is here with Councilmember Kevin Riley.

First Councilmember Riley.

Okay.

All right.

We want to give a warm welcome.

We're honoring them today for their contributions to uplifting young black men, and I'm told that you all have quite the Instagram following.

Word has it.

Finally, I want to wish a happy birthday to Councilmember Phil Wong, who celebrated yesterday.

Happy birthday.

To Councilmember Vicky Palladino, who will celebrate on the 28th.

And to Councilmember Oswald Feliz, who will celebrate on the 29th.

Now we will move on to our stated agenda.