Author: New York State Young Democrats

WHEREAS, the New York State Young Democrats support all efforts to afford equal protection under the law to New York State citizens regardless of race, religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation;

WHEREAS, same gender couples, opposite gender couples, and their families are equal under the New York State Constitution and equally deserve the protections and happiness of marriage;

WHEREAS, civil union does not mean marriage;

WHEREAS, equal marriage will promote and protect the happiness and well-being of same gender couples and same gender attracted youth and adults;

WHEREAS, Governor David Paterson’s Marriage Equality Program Bill would amend the Domestic Relations Law to give same-sex couples the opportunity to enter into civil marriages. It would mandate that all provisions of State law be construed to encompass same-sex marriages, consistent with the legislation’ s intent, regardless of whether they use gender-specific or gender-neutral terms. As a result of this legislation, same-sex spouses would enjoy the same legal status and treatment under New York law as heterosexual couples, on issues such as property ownership, inheritance, health care, and insurance coverage.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the New York State Young Democrats Executive Committee on behalf of the New York State Young Democrats, enthusiastically supports the passage of Governor David Paterson’s Marriage Equality Program Bill to end legal discrimination against same sex couples and recognizes the fundamental civil right of marriage to promote the happiness and well-being of all couples.

CONCERNING: Comprehensive Health Care Reform

WHEREAS, the New York State Young Democrats believe all Americans, regardless of life station or social position, have a right to high quality, affordable Health Care; and,

WHEREAS, one in six or 45 million Americans are currently uninsured and another 20 million are underinsured, which places and expensive burden upon the nation’s emergency services and proliferates contagious diseases; and,

WHEREAS, young people aged 18-29 comprise the largest uninsured group in the United States, with nearly a third living without Health Coverage; and

WHEREAS, Health care costs have increased 85% in the last ten years, with the expectation of exponential increases in years to come, forcing as many as 72 million Americans onto the roles of the uninsured by 2040; and,

WHEREAS, the increasing costs of Health Care will lower the take home wages of Americans by nearly $25,000 in 2040, detrimentally impacting the United States’ Gross Domestic Product and saddling future generations with insurmountable national debt; and,

WHEREAS, the Obama-Biden Health Care proposal seeks to expand coverage, improve quality, lower costs, expand preventative care, and promote innovation and advancement in medical technologies, at an affordable cost to America; therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, the New York State Young Democrats and its members actively recommend and encourage the passage of President Obama’s Health Care plan to the members of the 111th Congress; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, New York State Young Democrats officially and publicly add its name to the growing list of progressive organizations which support the Presidents Health Care plan.

WHEREAS, the New York State Young Democrats support all efforts to afford equal protection under the law to New York State citizens regardless of race, religion, gender, disability or sexual orientation.

WHEREAS, the state of New York has long been a pioneer in protecting women’s reproductive rights.

WHEREAS, the State of New York provides for protection under the law for women exercising their right to choose, as set forth in the decision of Roe v. Wade 410 U.S. 113 (1973).

WHEREAS, a woman’s right to choose is protected under the constitutional right to privacy.

WHEREAS, it is a woman’s right to have access to and be knowledgeable about affordable contraceptives and the ability to have a safe, legal abortion if she so chooses.

WHEREAS, the New York State Young Democrats  firmly believe that women should have the right to have say over their own bodies, especially relating to contraception and reproductive issues.

WHEREAS, the New York State Young Democrats feel that issues regarding reproductive rights and health should be kept confidential and should be made by a woman and her doctor, not by a legislative body.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the NYSYD Executive Committee on behalf of the New York State  Young Democrats, supports the right of a woman to choose and by adopting this resolution we make this support publicly known.

WHEREAS, the New York State Young Democrats continue to support the efforts of labor unions throughout the state of New York and throughout the country, and

WHEREAS, members of labor unions earn on average thirty percent more than nonunion workers, and are more likely to have secured retirement benefits as well as a solid health care plan, and

WHEREAS, organized labor has rallied around the Employee Free Choice Act as its primary legislative initiative, which will be one of the most important pieces of pro-union federal legislation since the New Deal, and 

WHEREAS, this piece of legislation would bring forth a growth in union membership not seen in many decades which will spur a new growth in union membership, benefiting the growing sector of middle class workers who are under the age of 36, and

WHEREAS, President Barack Obama has agreed to sign the Employee Free Choice Act into law once the bill reaches his desk.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the New York State Young Democrats and its members actively recommend and encourage the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act to the members of the 111thCongress.  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the New York State Young Democrats officially and publicly add its name to the growing list of progressive organizations which support the Employee Free Choice Act.