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The final bill before me is Introductory Number 564-A, sponsored by 30 Council Members and the Public Advocate. The bill will add honorary names to twelve different thoroughfares and public places across the City. While time does not permit me to engage in a separate discussion of each person and organization honored in the legislation, I know that each is worthy of recognition and enjoys the support of many Council Members and community leaders.

However, I would like to make special note of three name changes. The first is in honor of Police Officer Joseph Garcia. In the winter of 1975, Officer Garcia, assigned to Manhattan's Sixth Precinct, responded to a robbery in progress at a clothing store. Officer Garcia pursued the fleeing suspects into a near-by subway station. During a gun battle in the station, the suspects mortally wounded Officer Garcia. Eight hours later, after unsuccessful open-heart surgery, Officer Joseph Garcia died. He was only 35 years old.

Although he has been gone for over a quarter century, the City has not forgotten Officer Garcia's ultimate sacrifice, and I am honored to name a street in his memory today.

I would also like to make special note of the name changes honoring America's veterans. They are: Veterans of Foreign Wars Place, to be located at 136th Street, between the Horace Harding Expressway eastbound service road and 61st Road in Queens. The other is American Veterans Memorial Pier to be located at the 69th Street Pier, at the foot of Bay Ridge Avenue in Brooklyn.

Now more than ever we should all understand and appreciate the significance of the sacrifice and dedication that America's veterans and military personnel have made over the years. Our very way of life often hangs in the balance of their fights, both past and present, to protect freedom at home and around the world.

In addition to these name changes, the bill will add the following name changes:

For the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.

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