Page 2 - qt edition #16 April 17, 2025

PAGE 2 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025

Meng: U.S. Army Veteran From Queens Unjustly Fired

From NYC Veterans Hospital Gets Job Back
(Continued from page 1) merous federal agencies over the the many employees who con-
past several weeks. tinue to be impacted, and I renew
Congresswoman’s constituent, Graziani is a 20-year U.S. my call for them to be brought
Luke Graziani, has been rehired Army veteran who is a public back to the federal workforce.”
after he was her guest at the Presi- affairs officer at the hospital. He “After the trauma of being
dent’s address to Congress last was abruptly laid off in February terminated through a thought-
month to stand against mass ter- and returned to work nearly two less and robotic email, returning
minations of federal employees weeks ago. Meng had intervened to my role at the VA feels like
with the United States Depart- justice has been restored,” said
Graziani was among these tens ment of Veterans Affairs on Graziani. “I’m thankful to Con-
of thousands of laid off workers his behalf urging the agency to gresswoman Meng for giving me
reinstate him, and he was rehired space to stand beside her in bring-
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D- after a federal judge last month ing national attention to these
Queens) announced that Luke ordered the Department, and indiscriminate firings. While
Graziani, the veteran from other federal agencies, to rein- I’m back doing the work I love—
Woodside, Queens who was un- state probationary workers who supporting fellow veterans—I
justly fired from his job at a New were terminated. remain concerned for dedicated
York City veterans hospital, has Prior to working at the medi- public servants still fighting to
been reinstated to his position, cal center, Graziani served two regain their positions and for the
and is back at work at the James tours in Iraq and two tours in looming threat of future force re-
J. Peters VA Medical Center in Afghanistan. ductions. This experience has, if
A & F Auto Repairs, Inc. the Bronx. “I’m glad the Administration nothing else, reinforced my belief
Graziani, 45, was rehired after has been forced to walk back in the importance of standing up
General Auto Repairs Meng brought him as her guest some of its indiscriminate fir- for what’s right.”
to President Trump’s address to ings, but people like Luke should Graziani is the father of four
(Foreingn and Domestic) a joint session of Congress last have never been terminated,” children and his Woodside home
Accessories month (on March 4) to stand said Congresswoman Meng. “I is located in Meng’s congressio-
• Tires • Batteries against the ongoing mass firings am pleased that his attending nal district.
• Electronic Tune-ups of federal employees and veter- the President’s speech as my In Congress, Meng has worked
• Inspection Station ans. He was among these tens guest sent a powerful message to assist veterans by sponsoring
• Towing of thousands of federal workers that these mass layoffs of federal and supporting legislation, secur-
ARIS & FRANK that the new administration has workers and veterans is unaccept- ing funding and spearheading

43-05 111th Street • Corona Heights, NY unfairly terminated across nu- able. We have not forgotten about local initiatives.
Greek, Spanish and Italian Spoken Senator John Liu Announces Earth Day Fun Run
(718) 592-7470 (718) 699-2499 On Long Island Motor Parkway On April 27, 2025

(Continued from page 1) the New York Road Runners, a bird’s nest, feathers, animal pelts,
Read Our Paper Online Visit our or sprint with us on our commu- Jamaica Estates Volunteer Ambu- turtle carapace, and more from
Alley Pond Environmental Center.
lance Corps, Korean Road Run-
website: www.queenstimes.com nity’s stretch of the Parkway and ners Club, Cup Zero, NYC Parks And for those needing an extra
or scan QR code celebrate Earth Day together.” & Recreation, NYS Department nudge of motivation to pick up the
Senator Liu has introduced of Environmental Conservation, pace, APEC will be bringing live
legislation, S4484, to authorize a Eastern Queens Greenway, Queens Madagascar hissing cockroaches
Subscribe to the comprehensive study on extending Botanical Garden, Alley Pond as a form of natural inspiration.
the Long Island Motor Parkway Environmental Center, Korean Additional giveaways include hats
Queens Times trail from its dead end at Win- American Association of Queens, and hip bags from NYRR and
tabletop compost bins from Queens
chester Boulevard to the planned and Kissena Synergy.
trail in Nassau, creating a seamless Sponsors will provide free Botanical Garden.
greenway across county lines. giveaways, educational materials, Participants register at https://
Your Local Newspaper-One Edition for All Of Queens Additional cosponsors include and interactive displays, including forms.gle/HT6NDvgHjg1vxe2g7

Just $36.50 per year... and have the paper Congress Bill Spotlight: Smithsonian
delivered to your door by US Mail

Please Enter my Subscription For One Year Italian American Museum
(Continued from page 1) American. on to serve as Glen Cove Mayor,
Name ..............................................................................
Founded in 1846 and named and was later appointed to the Ap-
Address .......................................................................... The most famous Italian Ameri- after benefactor James Smithson, pellate Division of the N.Y. State
cans include Frank Sinatra, Joe the Smithsonian Institution is the Supreme Court.”
City..................................................Zip........................... DiMaggio, Antonin Scalia, and largest collection of museums in “My father’s life embodied
Anthony Fauci.
the world. Today, it comprises 21 the classic American Dream,”
Please make check payable to: Queens Times and mail to: The Bill: The National Mu- museums and sites, mostly in the Rep. Suozzi continued. “I cannot
11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 seum of Italian American History greater Washington, D.C. area. think of a better way to honor my
Commission Act would establish In 2024, the four most visited father’s legacy—and the legacies,
a commission to analyze whether Smithsonians were the Natural experiences, and stories of so
a new Smithsonian museum about History Museum (3.9 million), many other hard-working Italians
Italian Americans should be built American History Museum (2.1 and Italian Americans—than by
in Washington, D.C. million), Air and Space Museum establishing a National Museum
The bipartisan commission (1.9 million), and National Zoo of Italian American History.”
would comprise eight members, (1.6 million). What Opponents Say: The
two each appointed by four peo- Congress greenlit two more Fulcrum was unable to locate
Published every week by CT Publishing Corp. Smithsonian museums in 2020: any explicit statements of opposi-
Executive Office: 102-54 Nicolls Avenue, Corona Heights, NY 11368 ple: the top Republican and Demo-
Operations: 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 cratic leaders in both the Senate the American Women’s History tion. But opponents may counter
Phone (718) 592-2196 • FAX (718) 357-3682 and House. Within a year and Museum and the American La- that the museum is a logistical
a half after their first meeting, tino Museum. Neither site has yet impossibility, at least if it’s to be
Web Site: www.queenstimes.com the group would have to submit selected a final physical location, in the same area as the other most
email: editor@queenstimes.com a report to Congress on issues yet alone opened. prominent Smithsonians. Upon
including the museum’s potential What Supporters Say: Support- the African American History and
James C. Lisa .........................Publisher/Editor location and cost. ers argue the time has come for an Culture Museum’s opening, NPR
Lew Scala .............................. Associate Publisher/Webmaster The House bill was introduced Italian American museum. said that it “fills the last open spot
Lou Duro ...............................International Correspondent on February 6 by Rep. Tom Suozzi “My father, Joseph A. Suozzi, along the National Mall.”
Nicole Rescigno.....................Office Manager (D-NY3). No Senate companion had an extraordinary journey,” 21st Century Smithsonian
Joseph V. Dorsa ...................Photo Journalist version appears to have been in- Rep. Suozzi said in a press release. Votes: Both the American Wom-
Joseph Natalle .......................Photojournalist troduced yet. “Born in Ruvo del Monte, Italy, he en’s History Museum and the
The Queens Times, USPS # P127 AIC060 is published weekly by CT Publishing Corp. Context: Italian Americans com- immigrated to the United States as American Latino Museum were
for an annual subscription charge of $28.50, mail subscription request to Queens Times, prise an estimated 4.8% of the a child, served as a navigator in the enacted in 2020 as components
11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357, Periodicals Postage at Flushing, NY. U.S. population, making them U.S. Air Force during World War of larger “must-pass” legislation,
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Times at 11-20 154th Street, the fifth-largest ancestry behind II, was elected as Glen Cove City
Whitestone, NY 11357 only German, English, Irish, and Court Judge at the age of 28, went (Continued on page 3)