Brooklyn's Progress
June 2004

By Karen Young

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce joined with other chambers from across the state on June 8 and 9 for the Chamber Alliance of New York State’s “New York Day in Washington,” a special opportunity to meet with Washington representatives to discuss the needs of New York State businesses and the New York State economy. 

The Brooklyn Chamber joined the Chamber Alliance of New York State (CANYS) for “New York Day in Washington” as part of the Brooklyn Chamber’s annual Washington, D.C. lobbying trip.  CANYS is an association of some 83 chambers of commerce from across New York – from Long Island to Plattsburgh to the Niagara region.  Brooklyn Chamber President Kenneth Adams is the chair of CANYS.

“There is strength in numbers,” said Mr. Adams.  “By joining with chambers from across the state we can focus on particular issues and projects of greatest concern to businesses across the state such as transportation, workforce development, Medicaid relief and affordable health insurance.”

Brooklyn Chamber volunteers also participated in the CANYS legislative reception on June 8 with members and staff of New York’s Congressional delegation on Capitol Hill.  U.S. Senator Charles Schumer hosted the CANYS Congressional Breakfast & Briefing on June 9.  Both of New York’s Senators, Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, addressed the group on current legislation being debated on the Senate floor.  New York’s House Representatives gave remarks.  Policymakers and leaders from high-profile agencies provided briefings on issues such as Transportation Equity Act for the Twenty First Century (TEA-21), Small Business Administration funding, Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and federal contracting.

In addition to the CANYS agenda, the Brooklyn Chamber had meetings with the borough’s Congressional delegation to discuss economic development issues for local businesses.  Congressman Edolphus Towns and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez each hosted a luncheon for the Chamber volunteers.

During the time that the Brooklyn Chamber visited the nation’s capitol, Congress was operating under a revised schedule due to the passing of Former President Ronald Reagan and preparation for the State Funeral.  “We were warmly received and we were able to conduct our business despite the unique and historic circumstances,” Mr. Adams said.

The Chamber’s Brooklyn Agenda for Growth 2004 included:  Medicaid relief, reauthorization of TEA-21, Reauthorization of WIA and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), support of H.R. 2802 – the “Small Business Reauthorization and Manufacturing Revitalization Act of 2003,” a resolution for New York City’s Bid for the 2012 Olympic Games, and funding for Health Resources and Services Administration’s “Community Access Program” (HCAP Funding).  Click here to view the Brooklyn Chamber’s Agenda for Growth 2004 Legislative Proposals for its Washington, D.C., Lobbying Trip.

The issues were compiled from a survey that the Brooklyn Chamber issued to its 1,155 Members in February.  The overall response rate was 15 percent (172 responses).  The survey was compiled into two parts.  Part I required Chamber Members to rank specific issues that are obstacles to their businesses’ growth, including:  taxes, workforce development, insurance, real estate, government regulations, and traffic.  Part II sought Chamber Members’ opinions on specific issues.  While many of the issues were related to city and state matters, the survey did cover some federal issues:  New York City’s bid for the 2012 Olympic Games, the proposed Cross Harbor Rail Freight Tunnel and increased opportunities for government contracting with women and minority-owned and small businesses. 

Additional issues were included in the “Agenda for Growth” at the recommendation of the Brooklyn Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee, and in consultation with the Governor’s Office of Federal Affairs and the Mayor’s Federal Legislative Affairs office.

The Brooklyn Chamber’s annual Washington, D.C., Lobbying Trip is successful because of the Chamber volunteers who sacrifice time away from their businesses to be a part of the trip.  Under the leadership of Dan Holt, Courier-Life, chair of the Brooklyn Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee, the team included:

Omar Alvarellos, KeySpan Corporation
Lisa Bing, Bing Consulting Group, Inc.
Harold Dambrot, Gem Financial Services, Inc.
Brian Dolan, Carriga Consulting
Richard Drucker, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation
Roberto Dumaual, ASA College
Paul Kerzner, Con Edison
Alton Murray, Con Edison
V.R. Small, Small Industries
Theodore Wiprud, Brooklyn Philharmonic
Steve Witt, Courier Life Publications
Anna Zaichik, JP Morgan Chase
Brooklyn Chamber
   Kenneth Adams, President
   Steve Kaplansky
   Randy Peers
   Karen Young