Long Island Business News to Recognize Legislator Joshua Lafazan at Virtual Award Ceremony for LIBN’s ’30 Under 30’ Class of 2020
(ONLINE) – Through its “30 Under 30” awards, Long Island Business News celebrates and recognizes bright and bold minds who contribute to the Long Island community through the business world and public service - and this years’ list of honorees includes Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan (Woodbury), who represents Legislative District 18 in Nassau County.
“The honorees selected by Long Island Business News represent the next wave of leadership that will guide Long Island to brighter days ahead,” Legislator Lafazan said. “It is truly humbling to be included alongside such an accomplished group of entrepreneurs, community leaders and advocates, and I am thrilled to congratulate this outstanding cast of young leaders.”
Since joining the Legislature in 2018, Lafazan has secured passage of more than a dozen pieces of legislation that protect Nassau’s most vulnerable residents, including children, seniors, veterans, those grappling with addiction and individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
During his first term in office, Legislator Lafazan fulfilled a promise to resident Teri Kroll by securing passage of “Timothy’s Law", to help individuals and families struggling with addiction. The bill is named for her son, Timothy Kroll, who passed away in 2009 at age 23 after a three-year battle with addiction to painkillers and heroin. His namesake bill established a 24-hour hotline staffed by substance abuse counselors and led to the launch of the "Nassau C.A.R.E.S." app, a searchable zip-code treatment database.
His legislative initiatives have also focused on improving the health and welfare of children. With the aim of curbing bullying in our school, Legislator Lafazan secured passage of legislation that created www.NassauStopBullying.org, a County website which makes resources available 24/7 for both parents and students, and collates every school district’s Dignity for All Students (DASA) Act coordinator in Nassau County.
And, throughout his two-and-a-half years in office, he has taken a special interest in assisting the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community in this County. In the spring of 2018, Legislator Lafazan gained bipartisan support for his proposal to mandate the presence of an American Sign Language interpreter at every emergency press conference in Nassau County - a requirement which has been especially impactful during daily County briefings related to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also spearheaded the creation of an information visor card for drivers who are Deaf or hard of hearing so that they may communicate clearly with law enforcement officers during traffic stops.
**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the award ceremony will be hosted online on Sept. 10, for more information please visit libn.com/30under30.**