Printer Friendly Format Email a Friend


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 424-05
November 15, 2005

MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION PROVIDING HEALTH INSURANCE TO THE FAMILY OF A FALLEN CITY EMPLOYEE

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

“The first bill before me is Introductory number 730, sponsored at the request of the Administration by Council Members Addabbo, Comrie, Fidler, Gonzalez, Jennings, Liu, McMahon, Nelson, Palma, Recchia, Stewart, Sanders and the Public Advocate, Betsy Gotbaum.  This bill grants health insurance coverage to the wife and child of Nick Antico – a Department of Transportation worker who recently died in the line of duty.

“On September 22, 2005, Nick Antico was repairing a road on Staten Island when he was hit by a speeding car.  Nick succumbed to his injuries several days later and is survived by his wife, Anna and his 8-year-old daughter, Arianna.  Nick was a hard working public servant and this City is grateful for his service.  The very least we can do is make sure that his family’s health care needs are covered.

“Under current law, the Mayor has the discretion to extend health insurance coverage to the spouses, domestic partners and eligible dependent children of certain uniformed workers. Intro 730 extends this authority to cover roadway repair employees who died between September 1, 2005 and September 28, 2005, thereby allowing the Mayor to exercise discretion in granting such benefits to Mr. Antico’s surviving family.

“It is my hope that this gesture, while modest, will help in a small way to bring some comfort and certainty to Nick’s family and to express the gratitude of our City.  I would like to thank the Department of Transportation and the City Council for their work on this bill.”







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Jordan Barowitz   (212) 788-2958




More Resources