As the weather turns warmer, more and more people are taking to the roads on motorcycles, which in recent years, have become an increasingly popular way to get around. With more motorcycle traffic on our roadways comes a need to be more aware of how to safely share the road with all drivers, whether on two wheels or four.
Our state government provides millions of dollars in funding for various agencies and infrastructure. However, it’s often the smaller investments in local programs and individuals that people notice and appreciate. Grants of less than $5,000, for example, can make a significant impact on the quality of life for residents and provide a sense of connectedness for communities through special events, music series, and public art workshops.
Every 40 seconds, someone in our country becomes the victim of a stroke, a disease that occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off, causing brain cells to stop working and resulting in loss of things like memory and muscle control. Every May, an extra effort is made to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke through American Stroke Month.
Flint, Michigan, has been in the news lately because dangerously high lead levels were discovered in its drinking water. Sadly, it looks as though Flint’s contaminated water could have been prevented with better oversight and management at all levels of government, but the issue cast a light on our drinking water – one of our most valuable natural resources.
Across our state, New York’s 180 parks provide places to take in the great outdoors with family and friends. On May 7, parks in every corner of New York State will take part in the fifth annual I Love My Park Day, an event that aims to improve and enhance our parks, historic sites and public lands.
In recent weeks, pinwheels have been placed in lawns around the state that are meant to serve as a reminder that child abuse is real and that more can be done to protect children. According to child protective services agencies, approximately 702,000 children in the United States were victims of child abuse or neglect in 2014 and thousands more cases go unreported.
Every April, we celebrate our planet with “Earth Day,” a special commemoration established in 1970 as a way to highlight the importance of protecting the environment. Today, Earth Day is celebrated across the globe on April 22 and in many places, isn’t limited to just one day, as throughout the entire month a spotlight is placed on what we can do to protect the planet.
New York is one of the most populous states in the nation, yet we continue to have one of the lowest rates of registered organ donors. April is Donate Life Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of becoming a registered organ donor. The number of people on the waiting list in New York can be reduced if more people registered to become an organ donor.
From fighting on the front lines in dangerous conflicts to spending long periods of time away from their loved ones, the sacrifices made by veterans are many and it’s because of those sacrifices that we have our freedom. Every year, I honor veterans from right here in our region through my “Veterans Hall of Fame” program.
State park attendance increased 5% from 2014 to 2015 bringing the estimated number of visits to 65.3 million in 2015. The state has invested in our parks for the past three years to improve everything from, entrances, barbecue pits, campground sites, playground equipment and bathroom facilities. For each $1 invested in parks, there is a cost benefit to the economy of $5.
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