Last night the New York State Young Democrats Executive Committee approved the following resolution….
Sponsored by the New York State Young Democrats
WHEREAS, Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans have served and continue to serve honorably in the United States Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, the Armed Forces are weakened when competent and qualified individuals are involuntarily discharged solely due to their sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, the National Defense Authorization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-160) created the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; and
WHEREAS, under the restrictions of the current policy, an average of two service members are discharged from the military every day simply due to their sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, over 13,000 service members – the equivalent of 3 ½ combat brigades – have been discharged as a result of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell;” and
WHEREAS, in the last five years, while our country has been engaged in two wars, the military has discharged over 800 mission critical troops under of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” including over 50 Arabic linguists; and
WHEREAS, up to $1.3 billion in taxpayer money has been wasted discharging otherwise qualified troops under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell;” and
WHEREAS, it costs the military at least $60,000 to recruit and train each new service member, and much more to prosecute and pursue separations under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell;”
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the New York State Young Democrats hereby supports H.R. 1283, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
The New York State Young Democrats would like to congratulate YDA DNC Woman Stephanie Hausner on her primary victory last night. Stephanie was running in the Clarkstown (NY) Town Council Democratic Primary. Stephanie finished FIRST in a three way primary. We are very proud of Stephanie and the work she has done. We are so luck to have her as a part of the NYSYD family.
2009 NYC Straw Poll Final Results
This Saturday August 29, 2009 at 2pm, rain or shine, groups from all over New York will converge on Times Square in New York City to pay their repects to the memory of Senator Kennedy and honor him by bringing attention to Health Care Reform. We encourage all NYS Young Dems to join us at this historic event to show the detractors that there is indeed mass support for this important cause. Please join us at 42nd Street & 7th Avenue. Please email Marisa Vigilante at 
On Tuesday July 28, 2009 the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved President Obama’s Supreme Court Nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor. This vote sends Judge Sotomayor’s nomination to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 in favor of Judge Sotomayor with one Republican vote. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) voted with the Democrats approving Judge Sotomayor. Judge Sonia Sotomayor if confirmed would be the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice. The full Senate vote should occur sometime next week.