Community Update: Woman of Distinction, Honoring Japanese American Activists, and Bills Passing

Dear Friends, 

I hope everyone had a beautiful Memorial Day and Memorial Day weekend, as we honor and remember the thousands of brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The 2024 legislative session is nearing its last couple of weeks and I am eager to update you on all we have accomplished and all we will continue to work on before June 6, when the session ends. At the same time, I have been busy meeting with and listening to my constituents, from Rye to Eastchester, North Castle to Mamaroneck, and everywhere in between. I appreciate the incredible engagement in our district and the commitment to community that I get to witness.

The past couple weeks in Albany have been extra special. I was fortunate to honor Joan Grangenois-Thomas as a New York State Senate Woman of Distinction. A Village Trustee in Port Chester and a former Village Deputy Mayor, Joan has made tremendous contributions to Port Chester and to Westchester County for over three decades. Her advocacy on behalf of women and children and her commitment to equality and equity are unmatched. In all of her work, she strives to uplift those around her and empower them to be seen, heard, and valued.

I also had the honor of welcoming Koji Sato, Takeshi “Tak” Furumoto, and Carolyn Furumoto to Albany to be honored by the New York State Legislature for their work preserving the memory of Fred Korematsu and promoting knowledge of Japanese-American History. “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution”, a bill I sponsored in the NYS Senate, would establish a day of commemoration in New York State in honor of this brave Japanese-American who resisted the US internment camps.

Finally, the last few weeks have been upsetting and challenging as we have witnessed college students, including some here in Westchester, protesting the war in the Middle East in ways that are intimidating and offensive to many Jewish students. I strongly support peaceful protest and activism, and will continue to do so but I also want to make sure that the concerns of Jewish students at these campuses are heard, and that college leadership understands their obligation to keep all students safe and protected. This activity coincides with a terrible rise in antisemitism, which cannot be accepted in silence. I believe that we must stay strong and dedicated to speaking out, supporting and demonstrating civil debate and discourse, and pushing for an immediate cease fire, return of the hostages, and a path towards a long-term peace in the Middle East. 

If there is anything my office can assist you with, please email me at smayer@nysenate.gov or call (914) 934-5250.

Warm regards,
Shelley B. Mayer
State Senator
37th District

Read the full Community Update here.