Mayor Bloomberg Signs Legislation Making Information About Harts Island Accessible to the Public

December 17, 2013

Remarks by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

“The next two bills before me relate to the City’s public burial ground, found on Hart Island in the Long Island Sound and operated by the City’s Department of Corrections.

“Introductory Number 803-A, sponsored by Council Members Crowley, Oddo, Vacca, Lander, Cabrera, Dromm, Eugene, Ferreras, James, Koo, Koppell, Koslowitz, Levin, Palma, Rose, Williams, Wills, Weprin, Mendez, Mark-Viverito, Jackson, Rodriguez, Van Bramer, Gentile, Gennaro, Greenfield and Halloran.

“This legislation requires the Department of Correction to make available on its web site its electronic database of people buried at Hart's Island since 1977. The Department published its database last April and anyone can access it by going to www.nyc.gov/doc.

“Introductory Number 804-A is sponsored by Council Members Crowley, Oddo, Vacca, Lander, Brewer, Cabrera, Dromm, Eugene, Jackson, James, Koo, Koppell, Koslowitz, Levin, Palma, Rose, Wills, Mendez, Mark-Viverito, Rodriguez, Van Bramer, Gentile, Gennaro, Greenfield and Halloran.

“This legislation requires the Department of Correction to put its Hart's Island visitation policy in writing, post it on its web site, and make it available to anyone who requests a copy. The Department has placed its visitation policy on its web site as well.

“I would like to thank Department of Correction Commissioner Dora Schriro and her staff, along with my Office of City Legislative Affairs for their work on these bills. I would also like to thank the City Council for approving this legislation.”

Contact:

Marc LaVorgna/Evelyn Erskine (212) 788-2958