This has been an outstanding week for sports enthusiasts and for taxpayers in Nassau County and Long Island. As you may have heard, Charles Wang and Sanjay Kuman, Nassau County residents and local businessmen, have purchased the New York Islanders. This is great news for sports fans and taxpayers in Nassau County. Mr. Wang's and Mr. Kumar's ownership ensures that Nassau County will remain the home of the Islanders. Their commitment to rebuilding the franchise will restore this great team to its rightful legacy. This is the first step on the road to bringing the Stanley Cup back to Long Island.

Many people worked cooperatively to forge this successful agreement. Most of all, I would like to thank the Islander fans who, despite the cynicism, kept the faith through a long and difficult negotiation process.

In other outstanding sports news, after 25 years, professional basketball is returning to Nassau County. The New York Express professional basketball team, part of the ABA league, will open their season this November, playing their 30 home games at the Nassau County Veterans Memorial Coliseum and at Hofstra University. "Truck" Robinson, whose 11-year career with five NBA teams including the New York Knicks, makes his coaching debut with the Express. The New York Express professional basketball team is owned by three Nassau County residents.

Nassau County and Long Island has one of the most enthusiastic fan bases in the country. Too often, however, families are priced out of the market because tickets to professional sporting events have become so expensive. That is why it was so refreshing to hear the Islanders' new ownership and the new ownership of the New York Express express their commitment to making professional sports affordable and available to children and to families.

There is no reason why empty seats should exist at a professional sporting event, when there are children who cannot afford to purchase a ticket. Many professional athletes serve as modern day heroes who are idolized by our children. They serve as positive role models to be emulated. Witnessing professional athletes in action and participation in sports helps to build character, team work and discipline.

Additionally, healthy professional sports franchises build community pride and stimulate the economy. Ultimately our sports fans, our children and our taxpayers are the winners.