Page 2 - qt edition #37

PAGE 2 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025

Maspeth Honors 9/11 Heroes at 24th Anniversary Ceremony
(Continued from page 1) who have since passed due to Congresswoman Grace Meng and
9/11-related illnesses. Councilman Robert Holden stood
MASPETH, QUEENS — On The program opened with prayers among the dignitaries, honoring
September 11, Maspeth Memo- led by Rev. Msgr. Joseph Calise, the fallen alongside community
rial Park once again became a followed by the recitation of members who planted flags at the
place of solemn remembrance as the Pledge of Allegiance. Local monument in memory of loved
the community gathered to mark resident Kathleen Nealon led the ones. Two FDNY members laid
the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 pledge and sang the National An- a commemorative wreath and
attacks. The annual ceremony, them, as attendees joined hands saluted the monument in a gesture
held at 69th Street and Grand during a moment of silence. A of enduring respect.
Avenue, paid tribute to the lives mournful bell tolled as Mike The ceremony concluded with a
lost on that tragic day—including Aylward, Senior Vice President heartfelt musical tribute by Liz and
Maspeth residents and the brave of Maspeth Savings Bank, read Bill Huisman, performing “I Will
firefighters of FDNY Squad 288 aloud the names of each departed Remember You,” echoing the com-
and Hazmat 1—as well as those firefighter and resident. munity’s promise to never forget.

Law by Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato Mandates Moment

of Silence In Schools on 9/11
(Continued from page 1) the anniversary day. Zero. In addition, Pheffer Amato
Assemblywoman Pheffer was the sponsor and led the legis-
vors and heroes. The bill A.1801 Amato, who is known as one of the lation that ensured that public em-
A & F Auto Repairs, Inc. (2019) amends the New York State most successful legislators for 9/11 ployees involved in the rescue and
Education law to make a special victims and first responders, was cleanup of the World Trade Center
General Auto Repairs provision for the observance of also responsible for ensuring the would have unlimited line of duty
(Foreingn and Domestic) a “brief period of silence” each longevity of the September 11th sick leave for any 9/11 related ill-
September 11th at the start of the Workers Protection Task Force nesses (A.7819, 2019). During the
Accessories
• Tires • Batteries school day in schools state-wide. (A.10249, 2020 and A.8417, 2025) 2025 Legislative Session, Pheffer
Amato passed A.5458 which
According to the language in the as the task force created the pen-
• Electronic Tune-ups bill, this would provide students sion benefits for first responders would implement a sought after
• Inspection Station with the “opportunity for silent who participated in the rescue, change to the process of applying
• Towing prayer or for silent reflection” on recovery, and cleanup of Ground and receiving 9/11 benefits.
ARIS & FRANK
43-05 111th Street • Corona Heights, NY Making The Grade: Senator John Liu Recognizes
Greek, Spanish and Italian Spoken Student Tutors
(718) 592-7470 (718) 699-2499 (Continued from page 1) excellence by creating growth shot, no matter their background.

opportunities and building part- Their dedication to helping others
State Senator John Liu, Chair nerships with the community. is an inspiration to all of us, and
Read Our Paper Online Visit our of the Senate Committee on Students volunteered with the they are all truly deserving of our
website: www.queenstimes.com NYC Education, awarded 30 program from high schools in respect and admiration.”
or scan QR code high school students with New Queens and around NYC and Iris Auyeung, President of the
Equity Learning New York Chap-
Long Island. The students dedi-
York State Certificates of Rec-
ognition for volunteering to tutor cate their time to one-on-one ter, stated, “Our student mentors
Subscribe to the elementary school students in tutoring, providing free support in are passionate about making a
underserved and immigrant com-
reading, writing, and grammar to difference, and it’s heartening
Queens Times munities. immigrant and low-income youth. to see their work recognized by
State Senator John Liu stated, their community. We are build-
The students are part of the Eq-
uity Learning New York Chapter, “Literacy is the backbone of a ing a movement where literacy is
a student-led non-profit dedicated well-rounded education, and these a right, not a privilege, and these
Your Local Newspaper-One Edition for All Of Queens to cultivating a love of learning young people are stepping up to volunteers are at the forefront of
and fostering an environment of make sure every child has a fair that mission.”Bayside, NY 11361.
Just $36.50 per year... and have the paper
delivered to your door by US Mail Three More Lives Named: 9/11 Victim Identifications
Please Enter my Subscription For One Year Continue Nearly 25 Years Later

Name .............................................................................. In a poignant reminder of the These identifications mark forward in comforting the family
enduring impact of the September the first since January 2024 and members still aching from that
Address .......................................................................... 11 attacks, the New York City Of- reflect OCME’s ongoing outreach day”.
fice of the Chief Medical Exam- to families for DNA reference Chief Medical Examiner Dr.
City..................................................Zip........................... iner (OCME) has announced the samples. The remains, recovered Jason Graham emphasized the city’s
Please make check payable to: Queens Times and mail to: identification of three additional in 2001 and 2002, were matched unwavering commitment: “Each
victims from the World Trade using evolving genetic techniques new identification testifies to the
11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 Center tragedy. that continue to offer hope to griev- promise of science and sustained
Ryan Fitzgerald of Floral Park, ing families. outreach to families despite the pas-
NY, Barbara Keating of Palm Mayor Eric Adams acknowl- sage of time. We continue this work
Springs, CA, and an adult woman edged the emotional weight of the as our way of honoring the lost”.
whose name remains private at her announcement: “The pain of los- Despite these advances, ap-
family’s request, were confirmed ing a loved one in the September proximately 1,100 victims—nearly
through advanced DNA analysis as 11th terror attacks echoes across 40% of those who perished at the
the 1,651st, 1,652nd, and 1,653rd vic- the decades, but with these three World Trade Center—remain un-
tims identified from the 2001 attacks. new identifications, we take a step identified.
Published every week by CT Publishing Corp.
Executive Office: 102-54 Nicolls Avenue, Corona Heights, NY 11368
Operations: 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 Meng Reintroduces Legislation To Combat Excessive
Phone (718) 592-2196 • FAX (718) 357-3682 Airplane Noise Over Queens
Web Site: www.queenstimes.com
email: editor@queenstimes.com U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D- Administration (FAA). The EPA’s Meng. “For years, constituents in
Queens) announced the reintro- Office of Nosie Abatement and my communities I represent have
James C. Lisa .........................Publisher/Editor duction of the bipartisan Quiet Control (ONAC) was defunded in been calling for something to be
Lew Scala .............................. Associate Publisher/Webmaster Communities Act (H.R.5151), a 1981 by the Regan Administration done about the excessive noise
Lou Duro ...............................International Correspondent measure to help combat aircraft due to budget cuts. However, the they are experiencing. My Quiet
Nicole Rescigno.....................Office Manager noise over Queens and other im- Quiet Communities Act would Communities Act would address
Joseph V. Dorsa ...................Photo Journalist pacted areas around the country. reopen this office. these problems by reopening the
Joseph Natalle .......................Photojournalist The bill would require that the “Airplane noise pollution is a Nosie Abatement and Control
The Queens Times, USPS # P127 AIC060 is published weekly by CT Publishing Corp. Environmental Protection Agency persistent quality-of-life issue that Office at the EPA. By allowing
for an annual subscription charge of $28.50, mail subscription request to Queens Times, (EPA) take over efforts to mitigate residents in Queens and communi- the EPA to head up the airplane
11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357, Periodicals Postage at Flushing, NY. aircraft noise over communities ties across the country shouldn’t noise battle, it ensures that the
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Times at 11-20 154th Street, near airports, moving this respon- be forced to deal with day and
Whitestone, NY 11357 sibility from the Federal Aviation night,” said Congresswoman (Continued on page 3)