For my MHC Project, I was assigned the task of investigating Asian Americans and the political process in Bay Ridge. I was fortunate enough to acquire an interview with an actual public official, Senator Martin J. Golden.
Senator Martin J. Golden was one of eight children born to Irish immigrants and has resided in Brooklyn for the majority of his life. Formerly an NYPD officer, one of Senator Golden’s top political priorities is ensuring the safety of the areas he represents. Before he was elected to represent the 22nd New York State Senate District, Senator Golden represented District 43 in the New York City Council from 1998 to 2002 and was highly involved in Community Board 10- which serves Fort Hamilton, Bay Ridge, and Bensonhurst. Elected State Senator in 2002, Senator Golden is the only Republican representing Brooklyn on the local, state, and federal level. Currently, he holds the position of Assistant Senate Majority Whip in the New York State Senate. Previously, he has served as the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee and as the Chairman of the Senate Majority Task Force on Critical Choices. One of his most prominent achievements was procuring $11.2 billion in funding to improve New York City Public Schools.Senator Golden deals with issues and legislation that affects the lives of Asian Americans on a daily basis. Here are a few laws that he has helped pass over the years:
1. http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S2731-2011 – reimburses the transportation costs of students staying in school past 5pm for academic reasons.
2. http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S2732-2011– offers tax credits to corporations that donate to public education.
3. http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S3810-2011– reimburses private and religious schools that adhere to New York State testing and evaluation program.
4. http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S1745-2011– requires school buses to have electronic monitoring systems.
5. http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S2691-2011– permits commuter ferry services from obtaining funding from the statewide mass transportation assistance program.
6. http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S3839-2011– adds an extra transfer to Metrocards due to cuts in service
Here is a map of Senator Golden’s district, which includes Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Gerritsen Beach, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gravesend, and parts of Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park, and Midwood.
