28 THE QUEENS COURIER • JUNE 17, 2021 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
Whitestone war hero honored with street co-naming
BY JENNA BAGCAL
jbagcal@schnepsmedia.com
@jenna_bagcal
On the 77th anniversary of D-Day, the
Whitestone community gathered to commemorate
Photo by Dominick Totino
NYCEDC program helped keep Queens businesses afl oat during pandemic
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
During the height of the COVID-
19 pandemic the NYC Economic
Development Corporation disbursed
more than $13 million to 746 small businesses
and street vendors. Th e Queens
Small Business Grant program was instrumental
in keeping many afl oat during the
economic downturn with 90 percent of
the grants going to minority and womenowned
businesses.
“With more than 1,000 applications
submitted and almost $14 million distributed
across nearly 750 entities in need
of critical funding during this turbulent
time, we couldn’t be prouder of what
the Queens Small Business Grant program
has achieved this year,” Queens
Borough President Donovan Richards
said. “We’re talking about keeping hundreds
of Queens residents employed and
ensuring their families can still put food
on the table. We’re talking about protecting
our small businesses, of which 90 percent
of those approved are minority and/
or women-owned, in their times of greatest
need.”
Richards thanked the NYCEDC and
their partners for making the program
possible.
Rachel Loeb was appointed president
and CEO of the NYCEDC in May aft er
serving as interim leader when James
Patchett stepped down for a move to the
public sector in March. Th e Queens Small
Business Grant program remained strong
throughout the transition.
“Small businesses are the heart
and soul of our communities, and
their resurgence is key to the
city’s long-term success,” Loeb
said. “We’re thrilled the fund
is providing a critical lifeline
for over 740 small businesses,
especially in neighborhoods
hardest hit by COVID-19.”
Loeb and the NYCEDC will
play a key role in the city’s economic
recovery after
Mayor Bill de Blasio
announced a plan to
double the city’s $500
million investment
in life sciences to
$1 billion to create
jobs and establish
New York City as
a global leader in
life sciences.
“Building a
healthier city
means ensuring the life science sector
is equipped with the greatest potential
for cutting-edge technologies and treatments
for all New Yorkers,” Loeb said.
“With a diverse talent pool, a network
of premier academic
and medical institutions,
New York City
is positioned to grow
as a global leader in
life sciences research
and innovation.”
Th e tech ecosystem
of western
Queens will have
a key role in the
city’s network of life science innovation as
the economy reopens.
“COVID-19 has had devastating consequences
for Queens and the entire city, but
we can prevent future health emergencies
from having a similar impact by investing
now in potentially life-saving research
and development,” Richards said. “We are
proud that Long Island City is leading in
life sciences innovation, and the investments
announced today will help us go
even further in the areas of pandemic prevention
and preparedness. Th is funding
shows our city is committed to the growing
life sciences sector and will not let the lessons
of COVID-19 go unheeded.”
Th e city’s network of life sciences companies,
institutions and industry partners
helped throughout the pandemic
with broad response for testing, treatment
and vaccination programs. Th is included
working closely with the NYCEDC on
the development of local supplies for PPE
and test kits, the launch of the Pandemic
Response Lab, and the ongoing development
of the Pandemic Response Institute.
“New York City has long been a national
leader in life science innovation,”
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney said.
“Th is new investment will cement our city
as a leader in life science innovation, critical
to our preparedness for future pandemics,
everyday illnesses and other maladies
aff ecting human health.”
a longtime resident and World
War II veteran with a street named in his
honor.
Councilman Paul Vallone hosted the
street co-naming at the intersection of
156th Street and Cryder’s Lane, which was
unveiled as Corporal John McHugh Way.
McHugh lived in Whitestone from 1955
until his death in 2019.
“I am honored to be able to unveil a
memorial to a local man who was truly
a hero. Corporal John McHugh was the
epitome of bravery, and truly emblematic
of what it meant to be a part of the
Greatest Generation on the 77th anniversary
of D-Day,” Vallone said. “Th is will
stand to remind future generations of the
sacrifi ce and courage of Corporal McHugh
and ensure that his legacy endures.”
Back in 2019, the City Council unanimously
approved Vallone’s proposed legislation
to co-name the street but the
spring 2020 ceremony was held off due to
COVID-19.
During his time in the U.S. Army,
McHugh fought during some of the
most gruesome battles as part of the First
Infantry Division, which was formed in
1917 during World War I. His accomplishments
included storming Omaha
Beach during the early stages of the liberation
of France and the battles of Aachen,
Hurtgen Forest, Crucifi x Hill, the Bulge
and Normandy.
Th e late Whitestone resident was honorably
discharged with the rank of Corporal
seven months aft er World War II ended.
“Two years ago, I had the honor to
attend the 75th anniversary of D-Day
in Normandy as part of a Congressional
Delegation. Before traveling to France,
I met with John McHugh at his home
in Whitestone. As we spoke, Corporal
John McHugh vividly described the ‘chaos
and hell’ of that pivotal day in 1944,”
Congressman Tom Suozzi said. “CPL.
John McHugh Way will serve as a reminder
to all who pass down his street of
the service and sacrifi ce of our ‘Greatest
Generation.’”
For his service and valor, the Army
awarded McHugh with the Silver Star,
the Bronze Star, the European Th eatre
of Operations ribbon, the Combat
Infantryman Badge and two Presidential
Unit Citations. Belgium honored McHugh
with a Fort Eger badge.
Back at home, McHugh was inducted
in the state Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame
in 2014 and was also honored at the Little
Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade.
In 2019, he was the grand marshal of the
Whitestone Memorial Day Parade.
“It is an honor and a privilege to join
Councilman Vallone, the McHugh family,
and the Whitestone community in commemorating
the life of a true American
hero, World War II veteran Corporal
John McHugh. Corporal McHugh risked
everything when he volunteered for service
and fought valiantly with Allied forces
at the Battle of Normandy 77 years
ago. Co-naming the street in front of his
Whitestone home as ‘Cpl. John McHugh
Way’ will ensure that his spirit, valor and
patriotism will be remembered for generations
to come,” Assemblyman Edward
Braunstein said.
Photo credit Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Offi ce
NYCEDC President and CEO Rachel Loeb took over in March and continued to support Queens small
businesses and street vendors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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