Page 7 - QT Eedition #24 June 12, 2025

THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 7

NYC Parks Celebrates The First 450 Trees Planted in CUNY Awards Honorary Degrees to
Central Queens Through Funding From The Federal Four Longtime University Supporters

Inflation Reduction Act
Marking the beginning of a five-
year program to plant over 2,000
trees in Central Queens through
new green jobs, stewardship, and
community participation
NYC Parks Commissioner Iris
Rodriguez-Rosa has joined United
States Senator Chuck Schumer,
New York City Councilmember
Shekar Krishnan, and members
of the community to celebrate the
first 450 trees planted in Central Pictured clockwise from left: CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos
Queens as part of new five-year Rodríguez presents honorary degrees to Jeffrey H. and
program expanding tree cover Shari L. Aronson, Anthony E. Meyer and Ronay Menschel.
in neighborhoods in Queens that
need it most. The ambitious pro- Jeffrey H. and Shari L. Aronson, remarkable Class of 2025.”
gram is funded by $5 million from Ronay Menschel and Anthony Distinct from honorary degrees
the Federal Inflation Reduction E. Meyer Conferred Honors by awarded by individual CUNY col-
Act (IRA) and the USDA Forest in growing fields. “I am proud to see the record Chancellor Matos Rodríguez leges, University honorary degrees
Service, secured in 2023. “Trees are a critical resource investment for urban trees I se- Recognizing Service to New York are conferred by the Chancellor
This joint project between City for daily life for all New York- cured in the Inflation Reduction and Student Career Success after his direct recommenda-
Parks Foundation, NYC Parks ers, and this exciting new plant- Act at work in the neighborhoods tion. Chancellor Matos Rodríguez
Tree Time, and Trees NY targets ing program in Central Queens of New York City. Planting trees The City University of New conferred the honorary Doctor of
communities in Central Queens underscores our commitment in our communities provides criti- York Chancellor Félix V. Matos Humane Letters degrees on behalf
neighborhoods with lower tree to increasing greenspace access cal jobs, protects from extreme Rodríguez awarded honorary of the University at three CUNY
canopy coverage, increasing tree and ensuring equitable canopy weather impacts, and improves degrees to Jeffrey H. and Shari commencement ceremonies over
planting to mitigate the harsh coverage for all,” said NYC Parks basic quality of life for residents,’ L. Aronson, Ronay Menschel and the past two weeks.
effects of extreme heat. The Commissioner Iris Rodriguez- said United States Senator Chuck Anthony E. Meyer, four civic and Jeffrey H. and Shari L. Aronson
program will plant 2,000 trees Rosa. “Trees are truly essential Schumer. “I am honored to stand philanthropic leaders who each Philanthropists Jeffrey H. Aron-
by 2029, focusing on both NYC infrastructure, providing impor- today in Jackson Heights as we have made myriad contributions to son and Shari L. Aronson received
Parks property and areas outside tant benefits to our communities. plant the 450th tree and look for- New York City. Each honoree has their honorary degrees at John Jay
of Parks jurisdiction—like com- By cleaning our air, cooling our ward to seeing many more.” distinguished themselves as a ma- College of Criminal Justice’s Com-
munity centers and schools—and city, and collecting stormwater, “Today we celebrate over 2,000 jor supporter of CUNY, providing mencement on May 28.
will encourage community groups they keep New Yorkers safe and trees being planted in Central their support and expertise to en- As founders of the Jeffrey H.
to join the pursuit of 30% city- healthy every day. We are so proud Queens, thanks to the funding se- sure that students are able to focus and Shari L. Aronson Family Foun-
wide canopy coverage citywide. to partner with the City Parks cured by Senate Minority Leader on their education and prepare for dation, the Aronsons have been
In addition to the new plantings, Foundation and Trees NY to make Schumer and Senator Gillibrand. successful post-graduation careers. key funders of the expansion of
funding will also be used for this vital progress in ecological As we battle against climate “We have long benefitted from the CUNY Census Corps and the
green workforce development restoration. Work like this ensures change deniers nationally, in New the leadership and generosity of launch of the Chancellor’s Emer-
programs, offering the central that future generations of Queens York, we’re sending a message Jeffrey and Shari Aronson, Ronay gency Relief Fund, which provided
Queens communities of Jackson residents will have access to the loud and clear: we’re committed to Menschel and Anthony Meyer, all urgent aid to students at the onset
Heights, Elmhurst, and Corona critical environmental resources of whom have long contributed to of the COVID-19 pandemic. The
opportunities to gain critical skills they deserve.” (Continued on page 8) the growth and success of New Aronsons’ foundation has also
York,” said CUNY Chancellor been a critical partner in providing
Frauds Awareness Workshop Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “They constructive dialogue training and
each have played a key role in workshops to CUNY leadership,
Queens District Attorney ensuring the success of our stu- faculty and students during the
2024-25 academic year.
Melinda Katz hosted a frauds dents throughout their time at the Jeffrey Aronson has also built
awareness workshop at the University and after they graduate, a partnership between CUNY and
so we are privileged to be able
Peter Cardella Senior Center to recognize them in this way as
in Ridgewood. we simultaneously celebrate our (Continued on page 8)
By providing clear, acces-
sible education on common
fraud tactics — such as phish-
ing, fake charities and tech
support scams — we empower
seniors to recognize red flags,
make informed decisions and
report suspicious activity.

Meng Introduces Legislation Providing Back Pay To
Unjustly Fired VA Employees

later reinstated. The Reinstating have been in their positions for
Employee Salaries to Original less than two years or recently
Rates and Entitlements (RE- received a promotion. As a result,
STORE) Act (H.R.3192) would thousands of veterans and federal
apply to all VA employees who workers have been terminated
were terminated and later rehired across multiple federal agencies,
on or after January 20, 2025. including the VA. These employ-
In January, the President is- ees were responsible for providing
sued an Executive Order calling core VA services, including health
for significant reductions in the care, benefits services, housing
federal workforce in conjunction loans, and burial and memorial
with the so-called “Department of services, among others.
Government Efficiency (DOGE).” This year, Meng invited Luke
Department communications Graziani, a constituent from
show that as of March, VA offi- Woodside, Queens and a 20-year
cials had already fired 6,000 em- U.S. Army veteran who was un-
ployees, and were planning to cut justly fired from his job as a public
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) another 80,000 jobs, which would affairs officer at a New York City
introduced legislation to require return staffing to 2019 levels. In veterans’ hospital, as her guest to
full back pay for employees at the addition to career civil servants, President Trump’s address to Con-
Department of Veterans Affairs these actions have mainly targeted
(VA) who were unjustly fired and probationary employees, who (Continued on page 8)