FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 26, 2017

Speaker Heastie Joins Assemblymember Pellegrino for Tour of Superstorm Sandy Affected Communities

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Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today joined Assemblymember Christine Pellegrino in Massapequa to tour areas still affected by Superstorm Sandy and visit a local school that has recently implemented a new curriculum. "While every region across the state has its own set of unique challenges, many coastal communities, like Massapequa, continue to struggle with the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy," said Heastie. "The Assembly continues to advocate for these communities as they push forward with recovery efforts and focus on being storm ready in the future."

"I am honored to have had the opportunity to show Speaker Heastie around to see first-hand some of the amazing things happening in Massapequa," said Assemblymember Pellegrino. "Although we have faced some trying times, organizations like Adopt A House have helped rebuild our community by connecting people who can and are willing to help others. Our visit to Memorial Grade School also allowed me to show the Speaker our educational investments hard at work."

The first stop of today's visit included a tour of the Nassau Shores in Massapequa to get a close up look of the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy that still greatly affects the community. At the site they were joined by a local contractor and the executive director of Adopt A House, a non-profit organization that was established after Superstorm Sandy that connects families with community members who are willing and able to help in recovery efforts.

Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Pellegrino then made a stop at the Babylon Memorial Grade School Library to visit a third grade class using a newly implemented Second Step Program. The program is a social-emotional learning curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through six that is designed to help them understand the importance of mindfulness, empathy and conflict resolution both in and out of the classroom so that they can be positive contributors to society. -30- Pictured with Speaker in the first photo on the Nassau Shore (left to right): Michele Insinga, Vice President of Adopt A House and Assemblymember Pellegrino. Pictured with Speaker in the second photo at the Babylon Memorial Grade School Library (left to right): Linda Rozzi, Superintendent and Assemblymember Pellegrino.