Suozzi’s Final Act in Congress is to Fund 15 Major Projects for $14 Million Throughout His Congressional District
LongIsland.com
By CHRIS BOYLE December 30, 2022
This week, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D – Long Island, Queens) announced that he championed and helped secure critical funding, one of the largest ever, for 15 community-funded projects that will directly benefit the residents of New York’s 3rd Congressional District. The nearly $14 million in funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus government funding package, which passed the House by a vote of 225-201. This funding responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in New York’s 3rd District.
“My biggest priority in Congress has been to fight for New York and ensure that my constituents on Long Island and in Queens receive their fair share,” said Suozzi. “I am proud that the House-passed appropriations bills consist of several items I have fought for including investments in preserving the Long Island Sound, support for our vulnerable and aging populations and elder care, including Holocaust survivors, cancer research and technology, local infrastructure projects, emergency management, and much more.”
Suozzi championed funding for 15 projects that will directly benefit residents of New York’s 3rd Congressional District including:
City of Glen Cove: Installation of Packed Tower Aeration System at Duck Pond Road Well Station – $ 3,452,972
This project is necessary to support the water quality and water capacity needs of the city of Glen Cove. The current Packed Tower Aeration System at Duck Pond Road services 60% of the City’s water needs and has reached its expected life expectancy.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Center for Advanced Cancer Diagnostics – $2,000,000
This project will support advanced cancer research through state-of-the-art spatial transcriptomics technology that will help study tumors in depth in the hopes of characterizing different cell types and allowing for earlier detection of cancerous cells.
Great Neck Senior Center – $464,500
This project will provide funding to the Center for needed renovations that would allow the Center to continue to provide services to the nearly 1000 seniors that rely on the Center for educational, nutritional, and social programs.
Long Island University: Exploring Presidential Stories – $149,500
This project will work with the Society of Presidential Descendants to digitize and archive the personal collections of past presidents. These records will be publicly available and will spur students, scholars, and the general public to engage with important figures in American history.
Nassau County: Improving Connectivity and Accessibility to Open Spaces at Garvies Point Preserve and Museum – $294,300
This project will upgrade the trail system at Garvies Point Preserve while also improving connectivity to adjacent open spaces, upgrading the boathouse and surrounding area to improve water access, and making the museum ADA compatible.
Roslyn Landmark Society: Roslyn Grist Mill Rehabilitation – $500,000
This project will complete the timber frame restoration, re-installation of the timber frame elements, and lower the building to street level to allow public access back to this historic Grist Mill first built between 1715-1741.
Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center (FY22) – $850,000
The JCC needs a new roof for their full-service community center providing a wide array of programs and services for thousands of community members. In addition to their Health + Wellness Center and Early Childhood Center, the JCC is home to numerous social service programs that thousands in their community rely on.
Center for the Women of New York – $1,000,000
This project will provide classes and services for women’s advancement and empowerment, as well as providing direct services and support for women as they navigate the New York City and State systems to transfer skills, start careers, and search for jobs.
India Home, Inc: South Asian Colon Cancer Health Initiative – $500,000
This project will improve outreach about and screenings for colon cancer among South Asian seniors in NY’s Third Congressional District and New York City.
Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty: Emergency Food Programming – $750,000
This project will provide funding for the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty in order to expand their purchases of kosher and halal foods. The Met Council has provided over 26,000 constituents of NY’s Third Congressional District with over 1 million pounds of food since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New York City Emergency Management Department Queens Borough Coordination Center – $ 926,813
This project will renovate and upgrade the facility at Fort Totten, Queens in order to operate as a true interagency Borough Command Center, which would increase the ability for NYC Emergency Management responders to mobilize and coordinate emergency assets during large-scale emergencies.
Services Now for Adult Persons (SNAP) of Eastern Queens: Facilities Construction – $750,000
This project would help construct a state-of-the-art facility including a commercial kitchen, dining area, classroom, and programmatic and office space for SNAP to continue providing their direct services to independent seniors, those in need of support in the home, and those with cognitive issues in need of monitoring.
Village of Asharoken: Asharoken Avenue Flood Abatement – $1,000,000
This project is needed to rehabilitate the Asharoken Seawall in order to eliminate the threat of dangerous injuries and possible fatalities from extreme flooding on Asharoken Avenue.
Village of Northport: Northport Main Street Flood Mitigation – $1,390,000
This project will use a combination of green infrastructure and traditional sewer practices to prevent storm water from surging down Main Street in Northport during large storms and damaging properties along Main Street. The stormwater surge drains directly into Northport Harbor, contributing an additional 5000 pounds of nitrogen into the Harbor each year.
Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth, Inc: LGBT Safe Spaces Program – $500,000
This project will provide support for LGBT middle and high school-aged youth (aged 11-18) in substance abuse prevention, mental health, and anti-bullying.
YMCA of Long Island: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles at the YMCA – $250,000
This project will install a new dehumidification system in the Huntington YMCA aquatic center, replacing the currently failing one that will force the shutdown of the entire aquatic center when it permanently breaks.
Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center (FY22) – $850,000
The JCC needs a new roof for their full-service community center providing a wide array of programs and services for thousands of community members. In addition to their Health + Wellness Center and Early Childhood Center, the JCC is home to numerous social service programs that thousands in their community rely on.
Queens County Farm Museum (FY22) – $200,000
The funding will be used for the purchase of new farm equipment and general operating expenses such as insurance, agriculture supplies and staff for their workforce development program.
“For the last six years Congressman Tom Suozzi has worked tirelessly to help the Village of Asharoken receive funding to restore its failing seawall protecting Asharoken Avenue. On behalf of the residents of Asharoken and Eaton’s Neck I extend my heartfelt appreciation for his efforts to secure $1,000,000 for seawall repair in the recent House and Senate appropriations bill. It took a lot of hard work to get to this point, but it was worth it. This funding will allow the Village to start restoring the seawall and assure that it will be there for years to come. Thank you, Congressman Suozzi. We could not have done it without your assistance,” said Asharoken Mayor Gregory Letica.
“Congressman Suozzi came to us last year to ask us what projects needed funding. We shared that the Center for the Women of New York was ready to start the programs for our new home in Bayside and funding was needed to implement those programs. They include classes and services for women’s career advancement and empowerment, a think tank where women leaders would gather to find solutions to the challenges women face such as equal pay, and the propagation of gender equality awareness and education on women’s issues. He was adamant on ensuring that the women in New York get what they need. It was an honor to work with Congressman Suozzi to secure the funding to serve all women and their families in our community. On behalf of the CWNY’s board, volunteers, and the women the Center serves, we are grateful for Congressman Suozzi’s support and commitment to gender equality and our community needs,” said CWNY President Cecilia Venosta-Wiygul.
“On behalf of the Roslyn Landmark Society and the Roslyn community, I would like to thank Congressman Tom Suozzi for designating the historic Roslyn Grist Mill as a community funding projects. The $500,000 grant will allow completing the restoration of the 1700s Dutch timber frame, the re-installation of the restored beams and columns, and lowering the structure to street level allowing public access. Congressman Suozzi’s service to our community over the last six years is much appreciated. He will be missed by all,” said Howard Kroplick, Co-president of the Roslyn Landmark Society and former North Hempstead Town Historian.
“Thank you to Congressman Suozzi for thinking of the Village of Northport. His forward-thinking and this funding will help us start to address and mitigate the huge stormwater runoff issues that we have here in the Village,” said Northport Mayor Donna Koch.
“This funding is crucial for the long-term improvement of Northport. The Flood Mitigation Program will have an enormous impact on the environmental, economic and safety aspects of the Village for decades to come. I personally have worked with Congressman Suozzi on this matter, and words can’t describe my appreciation of his dogged fight to get this funding in place. The Village of Northport owes a debt of gratitude to the Congressman for the improvement of quality of life that we will all enjoy,” said Kevin O’Neill, Co-owner John Engeman Theater.
“Thank you, Congressman Suozzi, for getting yet another major project funded for Glen Cove. You never forget your hometown and we are eternally grateful,” said Glen Cove Mayor Pam Panzenbeck.
“Congressman Suozzi is one of the most effective elected officials that the Great Neck Senior Center has ever had. He is always there for us and our seniors,” said Ann Tarcher, Director, Great Neck Senior Center.
“Sid Jacobsen and the Jewish community can always rely on Congressman Tom Suozzi. This grant will go a long in the ongoing rehabilitation of our facility which houses all of the programs that serve every community,” said David Black, Executive Director, Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center.
“Tom Suozzi has always been a great friend of the South Asian community and this grant will go a long way in helping to combat colon cancer by raising awareness within our senior community,” said Shaaranya Pillai, Deputy Director, India Home.
“The LGBTQ community couldn’t ask for a better friend and advocate in Congress than Tom Suozzi. He will be missed in Congress, and we are grateful for this funding that will help to save lives,” said David Kilmnick, President and CEO, LGBT Network.
“Congressman Tom Suozzi has been a long-time support of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. We will miss him in Congress and are grateful for this important financial assistance,” said Charles Prizzi, Sr. Vice President, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
“Tom Suozzi has a continually proved his support for our senior citizen community and this grant will ensure a state-of-the-arts facility for our seniors in Queens,” said Paola Miceli, CEO of Services Now for Adult Persons (SNAP) of Eastern Queens.
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