On the brief side...
Crowley Lauds India Nuke Bill Passage

Congressmember Joseph Crowley recently hailed the passage of the United States and India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act as establishing the goal of achieving a strategic and economic alliance between the world's largest democracy and the world's oldest democracy.

The new law, explained Crowley (D-Queens/The Bronx), authorizes President George W. Bush to waive certain requirements under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 with respect to India, while asserting congressional oversight of the negotiations of the deal.

Crowley said the success of this deal now lies in the hands of President Bush and the Indian government.

The landmark legislation supports the transfer of civilian United States nuclear technology to India. Crowley, a member of the House International Relations Committee and former Democratic Chairman of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans, said the approved legislation asserts Congress' role in the partnership by calling for a two-step process that verifies that specific conditions have been fulfilled in order for final passage of the bill authorizing the initiative to occur.

Under the legislation, Crowley explained, the president has to submit the U.S.-India nuclear agreement to Congress before subsequent legislation approving the agreement is passed. Rally For Solidarity With Israel

About 500 people attended a rally to show their support for Israel, currently fighting in Lebanon against the Hezbollah terrorist group. Organized by City Councilmember James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows), the rally was held Monday evening in front of the Kew Gardens Hills Library at Vleigh Place and 72nd Road.

Gennaro was joined by Congressmember Anthony Weiner (D-Queens/Brooklyn), Assemblymember Brian McLaughlin (D-Flushing), Democratic District Leader Rory Lancman, Councilmember Melinda Katz (D-Forest Hills), Rabbi Michael Miller, Warren Hecht of the Queens Jewish Community Council, and Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld of Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, and Rabbi Moshe Faskowitz of the Torah Center of Hillcrest.

Gennaro said the rally was held to show the importance of standing with Israel during the country's struggle against terrorism. Monserrate Leads Tribute To Colon

Joined by family, friends and community leaders, City Councilmember Hiram Monserrate led a tribute to the late Luz Colon, a long-time community and immigrant advocate whose "Citizenship Van" at Elmhurst Hospital helped put thousands of Queens residents on the path to American citizenship.

After Colon's sudden death in 2003, friends and community members established a scholarship program in her name. It provides supplemental college grants for Latinos with an interest in civic affairs. Colon had lived in Jackson Heights from 1968 until her death. She served as a community activist for more than 20 years.

At the event at Elmhurst Hospital Center, Monserrate (D-Corona) said the corner near the hospital where Colon's Citizenship Van had always stood was being renamed in her honor.

Monserrate noted that Colon devoted her life to the community. "Today we join to honor her tireless devotion to ensuring the diverse communities of this neighborhood a better life", he said. Honors Soldier Slain In Iraq

At a funeral service in St. Michael's Church in Flushing last Saturday, City Councilmember John Liu presented a citation in honor of Corporal Julian Alberto Ramon, 22, a Marine who was killed in the fighting in Iraq.

Liu presented the citation to Ramon's family, which has requested his assistance in renaming the street corner near where the slain soldier had grown up, 45th Avenue and Kissena Boulevard in Flushing.

Liu said Ramon was a highly decorated Marine who was on his second tour of duty and had only two months more to serve when he was killed in the Iraq fighting.