By Bill Parry
A community leader and safe streets advocate from Jackson Heights was honored in Albany Tuesday.
Cristina Furlong, a founding member of Make Queens Safer, was recognized with a Women of Distinction 2015 award, given by the New York State Senate.
“Ms. Furlong has worked tirelessly to advocate for pedestrian safety and to fight reckless driving,” state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) said. “Ms. Furlong and her group, Make Queens Safer, have been and continue to be relentless in their efforts to make our streets safer for New Yorkers.”
Peralta made the presentation during the Senate’s 18th annual awards celebration.
“This is a great opportunity to honor Ms. Furlong for her exemplary service to our community, our borough, our city and our state. She and her group deserve the utmost recognition.”
Make Queens Safer was formed in 2013 after three children were killed by reckless drivers in less than 10 months in Jackson Heights and surrounding communities. The organization works with schools and community groups to provide more street-safety education.
“On behalf of my group, Make Queens Safer, it is an honor not just for us, but for advocates for social change in any arena,” Furlong said. “All civic action comes first from engaging with communities, and Sen. Peralta has always been responsive to and proactive with the people of the 13th Senate District. Like the women honored in previous years, my commitment to the community will remain strong and rooted by the fact that our community deserves safe streets for all.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
