Cats’ Roundtable Radio Program on Sunday June 25

Terrorism.. the new norm?

Ray Kelly, former New York Police Commissioner was the longest serving Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in its history and the first person to hold the post for two non-consecutive tenures.  A lifelong New Yorker – Kelly had spent 47 years in the NYPD.   Kelly was a Marine Corps Reserve Colonel – Director of Police under the United Nations Mission in Haiti – and an Interpol Vice President. During the Clinton administration – Kelly served as Treasury Department Under Secretary for Enforcement – as Customs Service Commissioner.   The first World Trade Center terrorist attack occurred on February 26 – 1993 while Kelly was Police Commissioner under Mayor Dinkins (1992 to 1994) – and Kelly led his department through the investigation of the bombing.  Commissioner Kelly is currently the Vice Chairman of the corporate-investigations firm K2 Intelligence and author of best selling book – “Vigilance.”  Amazon books “Vigilance”

Patrick Buchanan has been a senior advisor to three Presidents – a two-time candidate for the Republican presidential nomination – and was the presidential nominee of the Reform Party in 2000.  From 1966 through 1974 – Mr. Buchanan was an assistant to Richard Nixon.  Leaving the White House in 1974 – Mr. Buchanan became a syndicated columnist and founding member of three of the most enduring talk shows in television history: NBC’s The McLaughlin Group – and CNN’s Capital Gang and Crossfire.  From 1985 to 1987 – he was the White House Director of Communications for Ronald Reagan.  Mr. Buchanan has written ten books– including six straight New York Times best sellers.   Mr. Buchanan is currently a columnist – chairman of The American Cause foundation and an editor of The American Conservative. 

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. was sworn in as ManhattanCounty District Attorney in 2010. Over the following years – Mr. Vance enhanced the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office as a national leader in criminal justice by expanding the offices expertise on an array of 21st century crimes – including identity theft – cybercrime – white-collar fraud – hate crimes – terrorism – domestic violence – human trafficking – and violent and gang-related crimes.  As District Attorney – Mr. Vance’s many achievements include the takedown of numerous violent street gangs – dismantling of several major domestic and international cybercrime and identity theft operations – the first convictions of individuals on State terror charges in New York State Court – and the recovery of billions of dollars from international financial institutions that had been engaged in violating international sanctions for the benefit of countries like Iran – Libya – and Sudan.  Mr. Vance was reelected on November 5 – 2013.  In recent news – Mr. Vance announced his has compiled $800 million from drug bust and fines from white collar crime and has distributed to law enforcement programs all over the Country.

Dr. Keith Stewart, MB, ChB, is a consultant in the Division of Hematology-Oncology at the Mayo Clinic; and recognized as the Vasek and Anna Maria Polak Professor of Cancer Research. Dr. Stewart received an M.B., Ch.B. degree at Aberdeen University Medical School in the United Kingdom, and an MBA degree at the University of Western Ontario. He has more than 20 years of sustained national funding for laboratory research programs focusing on genomics and individualized treatment of multiple myeloma; and has led numerous clinical trials for multiple myeloma. Dr. Stewart serves as Dean for Research in Arizona and is a member of the Arizona Executive Operations Team and Clinical Practice Committees. Dr. Stewart has authored more than 250 publications and was an associate editor for Blood from 2009-2014. He serves on multiple national committees such as Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the American Society of Hematology.

Congressman Joseph Crowley is the U.S. Representative for New York’s 14th congressional district. He was first elected in 1998, the 14th district takes in Queens and East New York. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He is the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, Chairman of the Queens County Democratic Party and became the Chair of the Democratic Caucus in 2017.  His position a as Caucus chair is the 5th highest office in Congress.  Crowley’s cousin, New York City firefighter John Moran, was killed as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Crowley authored a bill that provided the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor to all emergency workers who died as a result of the terrorist acts. He also created the Urban Area Security Initiative, which directs money to prevent terrorism toward regions that are seen as the most threatened.

Congresswoman Kathleen Rice represents New York’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes diverse suburban communities in southern and central Nassau County on Long Island. Kathleen was first elected to Congress in 2014, and previously served as the District Attorney of Nassau County since 2006. Prior to serving in Congress, Kathleen was recognized as a leader among the nation’s prosecutors for her innovative work fighting drunk driving, reducing crime, going after public corruption, and eliminating one of Long Island’s most prolific drug markets. Dubbed “the state’s toughest DWI prosecutor,” Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored Kathleen with a Lifetime Achievement Award.  Kathleen’s career in public service began as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, New York, where she prosecuted cases of domestic violence and gang activity before eventually putting some of New York City’s most dangerous criminals behind bars as a member of the office’s elite Homicide Bureau.

President Elias Husamudeen, President of the Corrections Officers Benevolent Assoctiation since April of 2016.  A correction Officer of more than 28 years, Elias has risen in the ranks within the Union to now leading the Union as President of the 9,500 member organization.  Elias started his career in 1988 as a Correction Officer with the New York City Department of Correction.  Elias served in his position as Correction Officer from 1988-1995.  In 1995 Elias was elected as the Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association of New York City.  As the Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer of the more than $80 million dollar organization, Elias was responsible for developing sound budgets, administering and overseeing the fund.  He was appointed Chief of Staff of Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association 1995-2010.  He was appointed 1st Vice President of Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association 2010-2012.

New York City Councilman Dan Garodnick is New York City Councilman representing Manhattan’s 4th District since 2006 representing the Tudor City area of Manhattan.  Prior to running for elected office – Garodnick practiced as a securities litigator at the New York law firm of Paul – Weiss – Rifkind – Wharton & Garrison LLP.   Councilman Garodnick is the chairman of the powerful Economic Development committee.  In his first year on the Council – Garodnick established himself as a leader in the fight for affordable housing – spearheading the $4.5 billion tenant-backed bid for the purchase of Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village.  

Chief Terence Monahan Chief of Patrol, formerly an Assistant Chief serving asthe Executive Officer of the Chief of Department Office, succeeds Chief Carlos M. Gomez as Chief of Patrol. Diana L. Pizzuti, formerly an Assistant Chief serving as the Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Queens North, succeeds Chief Raymond Spinella as Chief of Personnel. Chief Monahan joined the NYPD in January 1982 and began his career on patrol in the 41st Precinct in the Bronx. He served as Executive Officer of the 34th Precinct as well as Commanding Officer of the 34th, 46th and 48th Precincts and Narcotics Borough Manhattan North. Chief Monahan also served as Executive Officer for Patrol Borough Bronx. Chief Monahan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Fordham University.