Jack Martins Calls On Rep. Carolyn McCarthy to Demand Rangel Resign
September 15, 2008, Mineola, NY ---
Jack Martins, Mayor of Mineola and candidate for the Fourth Congressional District, called upon Representative Carolyn McCarthy to ask Congressman Charles Rangel to step down as Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee. Rangel has been the subject of numerous news media reports and subsequent investigations into his failure to pay income taxes and properly disclose personal finances as required by law.
“Rep. McCarthy should put her personal friendships aside for the good of the American people and ask Rep. Rangel to vacate this powerful position, at least until all investigations are completed and all the facts known,” said Jack Martins, whose central campaign theme has been to "change Washington one Congressperson at a time.”
Jack Martins said it is typical 'business as usual in Washington' that Representative McCarthy has not taken a stand and demanded Rangel immediately resign as Chairman of Ways & Means.
"Even the New York Times is calling upon Representative Rangel to step aside", Jack Martins said "yet Representative McCarthy remains silent, which speaks volumes about her lack of independence or commitment to change Washington."
The Ways & Means Committee in Congress is primarily responsible for the writing of the tax policies for the country. Representative McCarthy has been in Congress with Representative Rangel since 1997. They are both members of the New York congressional delegation, and the majority party selects the Chair of the Ways & Means Committee. As the New York Times noted: "Committee posts are not bestowed by voters. They are partisan privileges granted by leaders in Congress, and [House Speaker] Pelosi must not cut slack for an ally. If Mr. Rangel refuses a temporary hiatus from his chairmanship, Ms. Pelosi should remove him permanently."
Jack Martins is also calling upon Representative McCarthy to participate in a series of community forums within their Long Island congressional district. Jack Martins noted that "the citizens of Long Island deserve a full and fair debate of the issues impacting our community, instead of Representative McCarthy hiding in the halls of Congress." Jack Martins has already accepted the invitations of many community organizations to personally participate in such forums.
The next scheduled candidates’ forum in the district is being sponsored by the Floral Park North Side Civic Association on Thursday September 18th at 8 pm, being held at the Floral Park Fire Station at the corner of Jericho Turnpike and Hinsdale Avenue. The Floral Park organization had extended an invitation in June to both candidates, but despite numerous attempts to arrange such a forum with McCarthy, she has not accepted the invitation to attend.
Jack Martins said "I look forward to reaching out to my neighbors and am disappointed that Representative McCarthy continues to refuse to participate in this or any other congressional candidates' forum."
###
