Members of U.S. House of Representatives Talk Small Business, Big Legislation, and Huge Transition at Brooklyn Newsmakers Event

Members of U.S. House of Representatives Talk Small Business, Big Legislation, and Huge Transition at Brooklyn Newsmakers Event

U.S. Representatives Velázquez, Jeffries, Clarke, Donovan, and Maloney Were Featured Guests of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

Immigration, healthcare and tax reform were the hot topics of discussion among five members of Congress who spoke to a Brooklyn audience, on Monday, at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Brooklyn Newsmakers series. Newsmakers is sponsored exclusively by Investors Bank, and is held in conjunction with NYU Tandon School of Engineering and the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. The site host for Monday’s Newsmakers event was National Grid.

The delegation – which included Rep. Nydia Velázquez (7^th District), Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (8^th District), Rep. Yvette Clarke (9^th District), Rep. Daniel Donovan (11^th District), and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (12^th District) touched on a range of topics that affect business owners and the Brooklyn community, and  discussed some of the iconic features and experiences that make them proud to represent their district.

Congresswoman Velázquez said, “As the Ranking Democrat on the House Small Business Committee, I’m proud of how Brooklyn has become a hotbed of entrepreneurship.  The Brooklyn Chamber has been vital to helping foster this growth, along the way spurring job growth in our local communities. Monday’s Newsmakers event was a tremendous opportunity to communicate with our local businesses and members of the Brooklyn Chamber and I was honored to participate and share my views on issues affecting New Yorkers.”

Congressman Jeffries said, “Small business is the engine that keeps our city running. It’s responsible for the robust job growth we’ve enjoyed throughout New York City and our nation. As policymakers, we must provide a fertile economy that allows entrepreneurs and business owners to thrive and expand their businesses. Special thanks to the Brooklyn Chamber for its commitment to uplifting business owners throughout our borough.”

Congresswoman Clarke said, “Brooklyn Newsmakers offers an exciting opportunity for me and my colleagues to discuss the major issues affecting Brooklyn families. We are now experiencing a time of enormous change, when many of the people we represent are reasonably concerned for their future. I want to thank the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and its esteemed President and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Hoan, for convening this important gathering.”

Congressman Donovan said, “I’d like to thank the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce for inviting me to speak at the Newsmakers event. Panels like this are a great opportunity to discuss important policy issues with my colleagues and the local Brooklyn community. Each day, we are working together to find solutions to our nation’s greatest problems, and I look forward to highlighting different perspectives and exploring areas where we can collaborate.”

Congresswoman Maloney said, ”I am delighted to be part of the Brooklyn Newsmakers event and to celebrate the importance of small businesses to our country and our community.  The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce under the leadership of President and CEO Andrew Hoan does an outstanding job of promoting small businesses and ensuring that their concerns are heard.  Small businesses are the backbone of the nation and the principal job creators, and I look forward to sharing ideas with local business owners.”

The Brooklyn Newsmakers series began in March 2014 as a way to give members access to elected officials and community leaders who have a shared interest in advocacy for the borough, its people, and the business community.

“This was truly one of our most exciting and informative Newsmakers events,” said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Andrew Hoan. “There is a lot happening in Washington that affects us directly here in Brooklyn, so to be able to get insight from our own Congress members is truly valuable. We thank them for their participation, and once again give our many thanks to National Grid, NYU Tandon, Investors Bank, and the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, for their support of our Newsmakers series.”

“Having the Brooklyn delegation as our featured guests was a real honor for members and the Brooklyn community,” said Brooklyn Chamber Board Chair Denise Arbesu. “We appreciate their work on federal issues that affect the Brooklyn business community. Their first-hand knowledge of what to expect from the 2017 legislative session was very informative and insightful.”  

Investors Bank Sr. Vice President and New York City Regional Manager Ana Oliveira said, “We are honored to begin our third year as the exclusive sponsor of the Brooklyn Newsmakers forum. The event provides Chamber members and their guests with an opportunity to speak with top elected officials and government leaders about issues that influence businesses in Brooklyn. Our expectation is that many people will attend the Special Congressional Breakfast forum to hear the Brooklyn Delegation’s insights on the new administration and the 2017 legislative session.”

“Brooklyn is an epicenter of higher education and NYU Tandon has helped support its rise as the borough of innovation,” said Tandon School of Engineering Dean Katepalli Sreenivasan.  ““We are excited to once again partner with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and welcome these five members of the Brooklyn Congressional Delegation to hear directly from our community which issues they view as most vital to our borough, city and state.”

“It was a pleasure to meet with the Brooklyn delegation at this crucial time to discuss how Washington can support the extraordinary growth we’ve seen here in Brooklyn,” said Downtown Brooklyn Partnership President Regina Myer.  “From access to higher education and promoting employment opportunities in Downtown Brooklyn’s tech triangle to expanding the Brooklyn Cultural District, it is important that we continue working together to ensure the ongoing success of Downtown Brooklyn.” said Regina Myer, President of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership.

“As the local provider of safe and reliable energy, National Grid is committed to shaping the debate on key energy issues, which will support new local jobs as we create a clean energy future for our customers.  We are pleased to host the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Brooklyn Newsmakers event to provide our local businesses an opportunity to hear from Congressional leaders on key topics,” said President of National Grid New York Ken Daly.

Previous Newsmakers events have featured NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Public Advocate Letitia James, among others.