OFFICE OF COUNCILMEMBER MIGUEL MARTINEZ MANHATTAN 10TH COUNCIL DISTRICT   250 Broadway, Room 1781 NEW YORK, NY 10007                                                                          TEL: 212-788-7053 FAX:  212-227-1215  www.councilmembermartinez.org

Press Advisory

 For Immediate Release                                                          Contact: Miguelina Zorrilla

January 19, 2006                                                                (646) 210-4233/(917) 521-2616

COUNCILMEMBER MIGUEL MARTINEZ
APPOINTED CHAIR OF THE
FIRE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES COMMITTEE

New York, NY Councilmember Miguel Martínez today was appointed Chair of the New York City Council's Fire and Criminal Justice Services Committee.

The Fire and Criminal Justice Services Committee has jurisdiction and provides oversight of the Fire Department, EMS Services, Department of Probation, Department of Corrections, alternatives-to-Incarceration Programs, and the Legal Aid Society among other legal services and criminal justice issues.

The committee plays an important role in the city's budget process to fund critical fire services and the provision of indigent legal services for criminal cases and legal representation for family court cases.

Furthermore, Councilmember Miguel Martinez, as Chair of the committee, will advocate for methods to save tax dollars and reduce incarceration rates, recidivism rates, and crime levels in the city by supporting more effective after-care programs, discharge planning and alternatives-to-incarceration services.

Councilmember Martínez also was appointed to the Education, Health, Higher Education, Land Use, Transportation and Youth committees as well as the Landmarks Public Sitting and Maritime subcommittee.

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