You should know, that through the years, I have received a lot of media attention for standing firm on my Christian faith – especially for my opposition to gay marriage and abortion – but in spite of what you might have read in a recent news article, my record, especially during my years serving as a member of the NYS Senate proves that I have been one of New York’s most effective and proficient Democratic legislators, but that record has been routinely ignored.
You should know that during my years of service as NYS Senator, having served fifteen (15) years, from 2002 – 2017, through my efforts many pieces of legislation were passed and signed into law. I have an outstanding record of having worked hard with my colleagues to get my bills out of their respective committees and on to the Senate Floor for a vote. The evidence of my bills, a total of sixteen (16), can be seen proudly decorating the walls of my Office as well as other bills which I have been instrumental as co-sponsor.
It is important for you to know that on August 06, 2014, my bill number S.6732-A was signed into law. It was sponsored in the NYS State Assembly by Assemblyman Marcos Crespo. This bill protects New Yorkers from immigration assistance fraud. This was one of many victories for the Diaz Team.
As you know that when your political party is in the minority, as the Democrats were then, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to get any legislation passed. However, in my fifteen years as a New York State Senator, being in the minority additionally with my conservative values, Christian faith and traditional philosophies, I managed to introduce many pieces of legislations. I repeat, sixteen of my bills were signed into law, making me one of the most, if not THE most, effective Democratic Senator having served in the New York State Senate.
In 2005, I introduced bill number S.2234-A, which was signed into law and became Chapter 526. This law increases state penalties for dog attacks that cause serious physical injury; it increases the amount of fines from eight hundred dollars to fifteen hundred dollars and from one thousand to three thousand dollars respectively; permits restitution payments to offset state and NYC fines; and, permits the imposition of dog restrictions on parolees.
In 2007, I introduced bill number S.3167, which was signed into law and became Chapter 48. This law relates to providing companion pets for seniors and instruction in the humane treatment of animals; provides for the office for the aging to operate programs to match seniors with companion pets to improve the lives of such seniors, and for the office for the aging to work with other entities to provide such programs.
In 2008, I introduced bill number S.7014, which was signed into law and became Chapter 501. This law authorizes certain housing preferences for police force members in cities with a population of one hundred thousand or more.
In 2009 two of my bills became law. They are bill number S.3163, which became Chapter 107 and provides that the city of New York may re-convey certain property taken in tax foreclosure in the borough of the Bronx to the original owner, and bill number S.6091, which became Chapter 482 and provides that a person is guilty of aggravated murder when such person causes the death of a child and acted in an especially cruel and wanton manner.
In 2010, three of my bills became law. They are bill number S. 5456, which became Chapter 49 and requires third-party notification prior to termination of long-term care and health insurance for persons 65 and older; bill number S.7647, which became Chapter 348 and relates to eligibility under the naturally occurring retirement community supportive service program; provides that an individual over the age of sixty need not be the head of the household to qualify under the program; and bill number S.7512-A, which became Chapter 410 and allows consideration of in-kind support when determining grantees of the naturally occurring retirement communities supportive service program.
In 2011, five of my bills became law. They are bill number S.1313-B, which became Chapter 191 and establishes the offense of prostitution in a school zone and promoting prostitution in a school zone; bill number S.1753, which became Chapter 263 and requires the state office for the aging to review programs addressing the needs of the aging veteran population; bill number S.331-A, which became Chapter 270 and includes assisted living residences within the definition of long term care facilities for certain purposes; requires assisted living residences to permit access to such facilities by the long term care ombudsman; bill number S.5375, which became Chapter 320 and relates to matching funds for grants under the naturally occurring retirement community supportive service program; and, bill number S.333, which became Chapter 452 and authorizes the city of New York to re-convey its interest in certain real property acquired by in rem tax foreclosure in the Borough of the Bronx to former owner St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
In 2012, both of my bills became laws. They are bill number S. 502-A, which became Chapter 111 and relates to the senior citizen energy packaging pilot program and bill number S.6237, which became Chapter 201 and relates to the collection of supervision fees from persons on community supervision and provides that the department of corrections may promulgate rules and regulations to establish alternative methods for payment of supervision fees.
In the year 2014 another one of my bills was signed into law. Bill number S.6732-A became Chapter 206 and relates to implementing the immigrant assistance service enforcement act. Ladies and gentlemen, I am grateful to my constituents who place their trust in me to serve them and to continue representing them. Even though my accomplishments, while in the Senate and now in the City Council, do not get the same attention that my position on the defense for traditional marriage and the protection of human life have infamously received, I am very proud to be among New York’s most effective and proficient legislators.
You should know that accomplishing the passage of sixteen pieces of legislations, in fifteen years. while serving in the NYS Senate, and having them become law is not bad for this Black Puerto Rican, with kinky hair and broken English.
I am Councilmember Rev. Rubén Díaz, Sr. and this is what you should know.
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