Page 3 - qt edition #49

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2025 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 3

Meeks, Amo Request USAID, State Inspectors General Community Comes Together For
Investigate and Update on Reports that Trump Administration Holiday Turkey Giveaway
Wasted Food Assistance

Representatives Gregory W. quantities of food aid—procured mittee with oversight authority
Meeks and Gabe Amo, Rank- and distributed under USAID over foreign affairs and foreign
ing Member and Vice Ranking auspices—prior to reaching their assistance, we are committed to
Member of the House Foreign intended recipients. The circum- ensuring that U.S. aid programs
Affairs Committee, sent a let- stances surrounding these inci- operate with transparency, ef-
ter to the USAID and the State dents remain unclear, including ficiency, and accountability.
Department Acting Inspectors whether the losses were due to Therefore, we also request your
General requesting information spoilage, diversion, logistical offices review the following and
on their investigation of wasted failure, or external interference. would appreciate your response
food assistance funded by U.S. During his testimony before by December 5, 2025:
taxpayers. In the aftermath of the the Foreign Affairs Committee on 1. The total number, scope,
Trump administration’s elimina- May 21, 2025, Secretary Rubio, and scale of incidents in which
tion of USAID, public reporting in response to a question about food commodities bought with
found that, at the direction of the State Department’s delivery Congressionally-appropriated
Trump administration, millions delays of bought ready-to-use foreign assistance have been de-
of dollars in U.S. taxpayer funded therapeutic food (also known as stroyed at the direction of USAID
food commodities were either left RUTFs), said, “there was no State or State Department officials
to spoil or discarded, though the Department delays.” However, since January 20, 2025.
administration has so far failed after that hearing, public report- 2. The justifications for
to provide details on the scale ing appeared that government and contributing factors leading
and circumstances of that waste officials allowed $800,000 worth to such food aid destruction.
despite Congressional requests of emergency food commodities 3. The decision-making
to do so. to expire, causing its destruction, processes used to direct and
Text of the letter is below. despite multiple warnings from implement such food aid destruc-
Dear Acting Inspectors General concerned USAID staff. Regard- tion and the degree to which such
Aldridge and Baker: less of cause, such incidents raise processes accounted for any
We have raised concerns to the serious concerns surrounding the internal objections or concerns
Department of State that remain Executive Branch’s possible mis- raised.
unaddressed about reports of the use of congressionally authorized 4. The adequacy of the
destruction of taxpayer-funded funds, erode the credibility of State Department’s internal con-
food assistance intended for U.S. foreign aid, and jeopardize trols, monitoring and evaluation
vulnerable populations abroad. our strategic humanitarian objec- systems, and partner oversight
These reports raise serious con- tives. mechanisms with respect to the
cerns about the Department’s As announced on May 29, the expenditure of humanitarian and
program oversight, supply chain USAID Office of Inspector Gen- development assistance.
integrity, safety of food dis- eral, Inspections and Evaluations If your office requires ad-
tribution, and stewardship of division is initiating a series of in- ditional authorities or resources
taxpayer-funded humanitarian spections of the USAID Bureau of to conduct this review, please
and development aid. Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) advise us accordingly. Thank
Publicly available accounts warehouses used to preposition you for your continued service
and preliminary reports suggest food aid. We respectfully request and commitment to safeguarding
that Secretary Rubio and other a status update on those and any the integrity of U.S. foreign as-
State Department officials dis- other related inspections current- sistance. We look forward to your
carded or destroyed significant ly being undertaken. As the Com- prompt attention to this matter.

QBP Donovan Richards on Gaming Facility Location
Board Recommending Licenses For Metropolitan Park,
Resorts World

Queens Borough President thousands of Queens families to receiving brick-and-mortar space
Donovan Richards Jr. stated the good-paying union jobs and mil- at Metropolitan Park’s Taste of
following in response to the de- lions of residents and tourists alike Queens Food Hall to local student-
cision by the New York State to world-class entertainment,” athletes growing on and off the
Gaming Facility Location Board said Borough President RICH- court at Resorts World’s Innova-
to recommend the granting of ARDS. “Since the very start of tion Center to families taking
casino gaming licenses to both this casino licensing process, both advantage of 32 combined acres
the proposed Metropolitan Park Resorts World and Metropolitan of new public park space, Queens
entertainment complex in Corona Park have held winning hands, hit the jackpot with these propos-
and Resorts World New York City with each putting forth unrivaled als,” added Borough President
in South Ozone Park. community benefits packages to RICHARDS. “I’m proud to have
“There is no safer bet in our city uplift our families and clear-eyed supported both projects, and I’m The office of council member to ensure no one in the community
than Queens and its unparalleled workforce development plans that immensely grateful to Governor Dr. Nantasha Williams hosted went without.
promise. The most diverse county will generate billions of dollars in Hochul’s administration, the ap- its annual Turkey Giveaway in Dr. Williams expressed deep
in the United States is quickly wages and tax revenue. Together, plicants and all our neighbors the parking lot of Morning Star appreciation for the partners and
becoming its most economically they embody our borough’s unri- for their work shaping these Baptist Church, bringing warmth volunteers whose dedication made
innovative and transformative valed potential as a true live, work community-centric plans. There is and holiday cheer to hundreds of the event possible. “Days like this
— cemented by today’s recom- and play community. no doubt that Queens is the truly families despite the early morn- remind me why serving this com-
mendation to connect tens of “From local street vendors the future.” ing rain. munity is such an honor,” she said,
Neighbors gathered in high highlighting the uplifting energy
Board Approves 3 NYC Casinos, 2 in Queens And 1 in spirits to receive their holiday that filled the day.
The Bronx meals, creating an atmosphere of The Turkey Giveaway has
unity and gratitude. More than become a cherished tradition, re-
(Continued from page 2) ue, among other improvements. in June 2030 with 210 table games, 855 families were served, with flecting the power of collaboration
Resorts World states that it is the 40 poker games and a hotel. The additional donations distributed and the commitment to supporting
ing floor with 6,000 slot machines only bid that can expand opera- $5.3 billion Hard Rock project to local churches and non-profits families during the holiday season.
and 800 live table games, a total tions in just 90 days, generating is also projected to open in June
of 2,000 hotel rooms, building on billions in new revenue for mass 2030 with 375 game tables and a
the 400 existing units at the Hyatt transit and public education over concert venue. The Resorts World
Regency, and a new 7,000-seat the next four years. project is a $3.3 billion expansion
multipurpose entertainment ven- Bally’s Bronx is expected to open of an existing casino.

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