For Immediate Release: August 1, 2011. Michael D.

Roberts District Press Officer (718) 649-7653 (office) (347) 279-6668 (mobile Mdvroberts@gmail.com

STATE SENATOR JOHN SAMPSON WELCOMES LT. GOVERNOR DUFFY TO BROOKLYN

HELPS LAUNCH NEW YORK CITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

(BROOKLYN, New York): Senate Minority Leader John Sampson recently welcomed Lt. Governor Robert Duffy to Brooklyn to help launch Governor Andrew Cuomos regional economic development council for New York City. Senator Sampson praised the Governor and the Lt. Governor for this new approach to rebuilding New Yorks economy. Brooklyn now faces severe challenges due to the difficult economic crisis. The borough has been plagued by a very high unemployment index and is in dire need of an economic shot in the arm. I stand here with my fellow colleagues in government, and our partners in business to start a new stage in the economic rebirth of New York State, stated Senator Sampson. Together, In Albany we have accomplished so much. Yet there is so much work to be done. On the streets of my district, I have seen firsthand the struggle New Yorkers are facing. People are facing crushing unemployment with no end in sight. We must put New Yorkers back to work. The Governor has outlined a fundamental shift in the states approach to economic development, from a top-down development model to a community-based approach that emphasizes each regions unique assets, harnesses local expertise, and empowers each region to set plans and priorities.

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In the past, New York State's economic development efforts were managed through dozens of separate state and local agencies. The Regional Councils will now bring together stakeholders in every region of the state to serve as a coordinated point of contact for economic development. Each Regional Council will develop a plan for the development of their region. The state will work with the Regional Councils to align state resources and policies, eliminate unnecessary barriers to growth and prosperity, and streamline the delivery of government services and programs to help the Regional Councils carry out their plans for development. The New York City Regional Council will be led by Matthew Goldstein, Chancellor of the City University of New York, and Kenneth Chenault, Chairman & CEO of American Express, who will both serve as Regional Co-Chairs. The Regional Council will coordinate the economic development of Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens and Richmond counties. A complete list of members of the New York City Regional Council is included below. All of us must understand that nothing is more important than creating jobs because New York works best when New Yorkers are working. New York was the place where people came in search of a better life, and many of them found it. The problem is Albany became the place where good ideas and smart policy came to die. Lets make sure that this good idea doesnt die, remarked Senator Sampson. New York City Regional Council Members Regional Co-Chairs Matthew Goldstein, Chancellor, City University of New York Kenneth Chenault, Chairman & CEO, American Express

General Members Ann Moore, Former Chairman & CEO, Time, Inc. Gail Grimmett, Senior Vice President for New York, Delta Airlines Steve Spinola, President, Real Estate Board of New York Douglas C. Steiner, Chairman, Steiner Studios Ashok Nigalaye, President & CEO, Epic Pharma LLC Gary LaBarbera, President, New York City Building and Constructions Trade Dr. Marcia V. Keizs, President, York College Sheena Wright, President & CEO, Abyssinian Development Corp.
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Francine Y. Delgado, Senior Vice President, Seedco Steve Hindy, President, Brooklyn Brewery Kevin Ryan, Founder & CEO, Gilt Groupe Kenneth Knuckles, President & CEO, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation Marcel Van Ooyen, Executive Director, Grow NYC Cesar J. Claro, President & CEO, Staten Island Economic Development Corporation Marlene Cintron, President, Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO, Partnership for New York City Carl Hum, President & CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Nick Lugo, President, New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Carol Conslato, President, Queens Chamber of Commerce Stuart Applebaum, President, RWDSU Mike Fishman, President, 32BJ SEIU Peter Ward, President, Hotel & Motel Trades Council

Elected Officials Mayor of New York City (appoints one representative) Bronx Borough President Brooklyn Borough President Manhattan Borough President Staten Island Borough President Queens Borough President

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3 |1222 East 96th Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11236 * (718) 649-7653 * New York State Senate