Bicycle Access Bill Hearing @ City Hall

The Monday after next, the New York City Council's Consumer Affairs and Transportation Committees will hold a joint hearing on the Bicycle Access Bill (Intro. 871) (PDF), as well as a bill introduced by Councilmember Oliver Koppell, which would mandate that public garages of more than 50 spaces provide bicycle parking (Intro. 780). 

Both bills are a boon to cyclists, and they both need your support. 

If you have an exceptional tale of bike parking (be it good or bad) and can make it to next Monday's meeting to testify, please contact peter@transalt.org. A large public presence at City Council meetings lets legislators know that their votes are being watched and their opinions remembered. 

Bicycle Access Bill Hearing
Monday, June 15th 
110 am 
City Hall
Manhattan

Manhattan District Attorney Candidate Debate

Transportation Alternatives and the Criminal Justice Society of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law are please to announce a round table debate featuring the three currently announced candidates for Manhattan District Attorney. The candidates will discuss their views on vehicular crimes and the role of the District Attorney’s office in protecting New Yorkers from reckless and dangerous drivers.

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
Moot Court Room
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
55 Fifth Avenue (at 12th street)
8:30-9:30am
Free

Introductory Remarks:
Aaron Naparstek, Editor-in-Chief of Streetsblog

Moderated by:
Jonathan Oberman, Clinical Professor of Law
Director of the Criminal Defense Clinic
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

Kick Off the Summer Convention Season

Join Us at the CBLDF Welcome Party— Open to All BookExpo America (BEA) Attendees! This Thursday, kicks off the summer convention season at the CBLDF's Welcome Party! Enjoy free gourmet bites and a cash bar, while mingling with the best and the brightest authors and pros from thegraphic novel world! The party runs from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Hudson Terrace, conveniently located near the Javits Center on 621 W 46th Street between 11th & 12th Ave. This event is open to all BEA attendees and CBLDF supporters. The party is free for current year CBLDF members. A suggested donation of $10 is asked for non-members. Sign up for membership at the party and receive a CBLDF lapel pin!
	What:	CBLDF's BookExpo Welcome Party
	When:	May 28, 6:00 to 9:00 PM
	Where:	Hudson Terrace, 621 W 46th Street between 11th & 12th Ave
	How Much:	$10 suggested donation, and free to CBLDF members!
	Dress:	Business Casual
About the CBLDF: The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was founded in 1986 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community. They have defended dozens of free expression cases in courts across the United States, and led important education initiatives promoting comics literacy and free expression. For additional information, donations, and other inquiries, call 800-99-CBLDF or visit them online at www.cbldf.org. If you haven't had a chance to register for BEA or want more information, go to www.bookexpoamerica.com.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Applauds Historic Supreme Court Nomination

CHC Applauds Historic Supreme Court Nomination

(Washington DC) -President Barack Obama today nominated Federal Court of Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the next Justice on the United States Supreme Court, which would make her the first Hispanic and only the third woman on the highest court of the land, once confirmed. The CHC celebrates this historic nomination and believes that Judge Sotomayor brings with her the experience and credentials to be an excellent addition to the Supreme Court.

"Judge Sotomayor brings with her the experience, discipline, integrity, commitment and intellectual prowess she has cultivated throughout an extensive career," said Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Chairwoman of the CHC. "She has consistently demonstrated a balanced, clear-minded respect for our laws and our Constitution. She embodies our shared belief that, if you are talented and willing to work hard, the American dream is within reach. Throughout her life, she has overcome a series of challenges, leaving the Bronx housing projects to graduate summa cum laude from Princeton University and receive her law degree from Yale. We look forward to working with her and the White House to ensure a fair and smooth confirmation process."

Judge Sonia Sotomayor was born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, raised in a public housing project. She graduated as her high school valedictorian and won a scholarship to Princeton University, where she went on to graduate Phi Beta Kappa as well as summa cum laude. In 1976, she was accepted to Yale Law School and served as editor of the Yale Law Journal. She served as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan. She then went into private practice in 1986. If confirmed, Judge Sotomayor would bring more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice confirmed in the last 100 years, and more overall judicial experience than anyone in the past 70 years. She was appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of New York by President George H.W. Bush and promoted by President Bill Clinton to the Second Circuit in 1998.

Congressman Charles A. Gonzalez, 1st Vice Chair of the CHC, stated "the nomination of such an overwhelmingly qualified judge to serve on the Supreme Court should be celebrated by all Americans. The additional fact that the President Obama's nominee will be the first Hispanic on our nation's highest court is significant and is tangible proof of the strength derived by the diversity represented in American society. This is proud day for all who believe that our country offers unlimited opportunity to those who are willing to work hard and tirelessly."

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Hispanic descent. Since 1976 the CHC has been addressing the needs of the Hispanic community in all areas of American life. For more information on the CHC, call (202) 225-2410.

111th Congress, 1st Session- Congressional Hispanic Caucus 

Congressional Hispanic Caucus, 2466 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515
Direct Phone: (202) 225-2410

For Immediate Release	Contact: Miguel Ayala
May 26, 2009	miguel.ayala@mail.house.gov