Brooklyn’s Caribbean legislators Council Members Jumaane D. Williams and Dr. Mathieu Eugene, and Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte extended greetings to the community, and participated in and hosted a number of events in celebrating the season.
“Today, millions of Christians in the United States and around the world are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus began his life on Earth as a humble immigrant in search of a better life, and made a better world,” said Williams, representative for the 45th Council District and deputy leader of the City Council, in his Christmas Day message.
“He proclaimed a message of justice and equity, revolutionary values that reverberated around the world and which have sustained across many centuries,” he added. “After a long year that has been difficult for many, and particularly in this national environment, it is important to remember this origin and the lessons that resonate today.”
Williams said this is a time for “peace and joyful celebration.
“As we exchange gifts and engage in a wide range of traditions with our families and friends, let us exhibit love and kindness as a reflection of what is honored on Christmas and the true reason for this holiday,” she said. “The holidays are about coming together as one family to celebrate the blessings we have been given and the values we hold dear, together.”
On Saturday, Eugene, who represents the 40th Council District, said he hosted the Annual Holiday Toy Party “to provide holiday cheer for local families and their children.”
This year’s celebration, held at MS 246 Walt Whitman Middle School, featured singing, a multicultural holiday greeting from students and a welcome message from Principal Bently Warrington, followed by the toy distribution by Eugene and free refreshments in the school cafeteria.
“We’re here today on this wonderful occasion because it’s all about the children,” Warrington said. “That theme is a reflection of the person who cares about you and who represents you, and that is Council Member Eugene.
“He’s been here for everything,” he added. “In this school, he’s helped us secure many resources, including the science lab; and, in this district, to be close to the people, you have to know them.
“You heard the students say ‘Mathieu Eugene’, that means that at that age, they know who represents them,” Warrington continued.
Eugene said: “This is a truly wonderful event that we are fortunate to bring to the community each year as a show of appreciate for our families who work hard to support their children and to bring them joy this holiday season.
“I am so very grateful to the many community partners who have worked with us to provide toys and refreshments to our families,” he added. “When we work together, there is no limit to what we can do for the community, and I believe this event is an example of the unity and goodwill that we have in the neighborhood.
“This is a time when we should be thankful for what we have, and for the support of our friends, family, and our teachers,” the councilman continued.
In her message, Bichotte, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, sent “warm wishes to all this holiday season,” wishing “a happy New Year.”
She said she looks forward to “a New Year of changes in 2019 for the people of New York State.”
Among the changes she listed are: Child’s Victim Act; election reform; stronger rent laws; criminal justice reform – cash bail reform/ speedy trials;
Jeremiah’s law; NY HealthCare Act; reproductive rights; DREAM Act; Campaign For Fiscal Equity;
Minority Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) and small businesses; public schools funding; safety; climate control; Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) subways; affordable housing; and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).
During the season, Bichotte, who is chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of MWBEs, said she participated in and hosted toy gives-away at, among other places, Holy Innocent Church, Shirley Chisholm Democratic Club, Jewish Community Council Marine Park Girls Program and Tilden Block Association.
