[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 22 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING CARL E. HEASTIE, MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY AND 
           CHAIRMAN OF THE BRONX DEMOCRATIC COUNTY COMMITTEE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 2012

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Black History Month 2012, I 
rise today to recognize a lawmaker from the Bronx whom I admire 
greatly, the Honorable Carl E. Heastie.
  Carl E. Heastie has been Assemblyman for the 83rd Assembly District 
in the Bronx since 2000. Since he became an Assemblyman, he has been 
recognized by his colleagues as being one of the most active members in 
Albany. He currently serves as Chairman of the New York State Assembly 
Committee on Cities, where he is responsible for addressing issues 
facing New York City and New York State's other urban areas. He has 
also earned the respect of local and state elected officials through 
his work as Chairman of the Bronx Democratic County Committee.
  Assemblyman Heastie attended New York City public schools, and always 
had a love for math. This interest was developed and refined while at 
the State University of New York at Stony Brook where he earned a 
Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics and Statistics and an 
MBA in Finance from the Bernard M. Baruch College, CUNY. Assemblyman 
Heastie has extensive experience in budgeting issues, and served as a 
budget analyst for the City of New York's Comptroller's Office prior to 
his election. Assemblyman Heastie's expertise in evaluating numbers has 
garnered the respect and admiration of his peers.
  Since taking office, Assemblyman Heastie has been successful in 
securing much needed resources for his district in the areas of 
housing, health and human services and education. Among his many 
accomplishments, he was a lead negotiator for the construction of new 
schools in the Bronx. Aware of the needs of low-wage workers, 
Assemblyman Heastie was the author of the Wage Theft Prevention Act 
which provided stiffer penalties for employers who steal wages from 
employees. Additionally, because of concerns about potential barriers 
that victims of domestic violence may face when trying to leave their 
abuser, Assemblyman Heastie drafted a law to allow domestic violence 
victims to be released from their lease obligation if it is found that 
their remaining in their residence would keep them exposed to a 
dangerous situation.
  Mr. Speaker, Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie has earned a much-deserved 
reputation as a hardworking, determined and exceptional public servant. 
He is part of a new wave of elected officials in this country whose 
qualities include fidelity to the best interests of one's constituents 
and honesty in public dealings. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues 
join me in recognizing a gifted individual, and someone who carries 
with him the hopes of thousands of New Yorkers, including myself, The 
Honorable Carl E. Heastie.

                          ____________________