Walmart is Welcome Here

What You Should Know

Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

32nd Senatorial District

718-991-3161

Walmart is Welcome Here

You should know that in the June 4, 2014 edition of the New York Post, there is an article written by James Covert titled "City Council members rip Walmart’s charity of ‘dangerous dollars.'" The article states: "More than half the members of the City Council have fired off a letter to Walmart demanding that it stop making millions in charitable contributions to local groups here."

Mr. Covert's article states: "Last week, Walmart announced that it distributed $3 million last year to charities here, including $1 million to the New York Women’s Foundation, which offers job training, and $30,000 to Bailey House, which distributes groceries to low-income residents."

My dear reader, as a New York State Senator who serves one of the poorest districts of this great nation, I support and welcome the financial assistance that Walmart could make for my constituents. As the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, I have to state for the record that my fellow ministers and I support and welcome the financial support and assistance that Walmart would provide for so many struggling Not-For Profit Community agencies, Senior Citizens Centers, Hospitals and Clinics right here in Bronx County.

You should know that I will not turn my nose at substantial financial assistance that will help people who live and work in my district. I will not turn down financial blessings that will strengthen our children's schools. I will not object to generosity that will provide hunger relief for families, and I will not stand in the way of any real assistance of career development to assist people seeking employment.

Ladies and gentlemen, unlike half of the Members in the New York City Council, I welcome Walmart and the Walton Family Foundation to come to my district and help my people, and I will not turn them away. Instead, I will say: "Thank you."

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.