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The Road to 1000 Democratic Ideas

Posted August 30, 2010
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The New York State Democratic Party has been moving full speed ahead with their “Road to a 1000 Democratic Ideas“. They’re reaching out to everyday New Yorkers for their ideas for making New York the best place in America to live, to work, to raise a family, and to retire.

Now, they’re looking for ideas from Young People from across the State and we’re looking to get as many of our ideas submitted as possible!

To participate and submit your idea, click here. The State Party will be posting updates frequently on their web site at http://www.nydems.org

2010 Attorney General Straw Poll

Posted August 29, 2010
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On Wednesday, September 1, 2010, several chapters around the State will be conducting a straw poll of the 5 Democratic Candidates for New York State Attorney General.

Each participating chapter will provide each person in attendance, upon entry, with a ballot. Each of the chapters’ straw poll events will begin at 7:00 PM. Every 30 minutes, each chapter will tabulate their vote totals for each of the 5 candidates and call in their responses to the Manhattan Young Democrats with the first call in at 7:30 PM and the last call in at 10:00 PM.

The Manhattan Young Democrats will tabulate the results and announce vote totals for each candidate at the end of the evening.

The 5 Democratic Candidates for Attorney General are:

To find out if you’re local chapter is participating, contact Seamus Campbell at scampbell@nysyd.net

Erie County Young Democrats Hold Successful First Meeting Over 30 Young Democratic Enthusiasts in Attendance

Posted August 26, 2010
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BUFFALO, NY Yesterday evening, August 25th, over 30 young Democratic enthusiasts came out to the first ever Erie County Young Democrats meeting. Along with the Chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party, Len Lenihan, members of various communities came out to welcome the Erie County Young Democrats and show their support for the Democratic agenda in 2010.

The well-attended meeting fostered discussion of volunteer opportunities with the various local and statewide campaigns that were represented as well as how to effectively organize and allocate resources for important local races that could change the balance of power throughout the entire state. In addition to Lenihan, members of ECYD were joined by Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul and the County’s Comptroller, Mark Poloncarz.

Also addressing the group was Niagara Falls resident and President of the NYS Young Democrats Kevin Lawrie. “The turnout at the first meeting tonight is a great signal for the future of this chapter. Since becoming President of NYSYD in April, it has been my priority to increase the number of chapters in every corner of New York. The creation of the chapter here in Erie County is excellent news and I look forward to working with them in conjunction with both the statewide organization and my hometown chapter in Niagara County.”

ECYD President Melissa Bochenski said, “I am extremely pleased by the amount of loyal young Democrats that came out to be a part of this new group. It is encouraging to see the increasing level of enthusiasm and the number of individuals there are in this area who all share the goal of advocating on behalf of young adults. There are several critical races in Western New York and while a number of individuals are already involved in campaigns, we are looking forward to coming together to make an impact in November”

Check out the “Photos” section on our website for more from the ECYD meeting.

NYSYD Statement on Proposition 8

Posted August 6, 2010
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  • As many as 7.2 million Americans under age 20 are lesbian or gay.
  • 45% of gay males and 20% of lesbians experience physical or verbal assault in high school; 28% of these young people feel forced to drop out of school due to harassment based on sexual orientation.
  • 28% of boys and 17% of girls have one or more same-sex experiences before age 20.
  • Statistics from “Gay and Lesbian Stats” Edited by Bennet L. Singer and David Deschamps

These statistics demonstrate the composition of homosexual youth throughout our Country. Clearly young adults who struggle with self identity all over the U.S. begin to face discrimination at a young age. Dissuasions like passage of Proposition 8 in California have pushed the light at the end of the tunnel farther away, making it more difficult for some of our best, brightest and most capable to realize their potential in adulthood, simply because of a preference and orientation.

“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;”

As this portion of a NYSYD resolution states, our members support all efforts to afford equal protection to all individuals regardless of race, religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation. It is in that spirit that the New York State Young Democrats are proud to support the decision in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, which deemed the ban on homosexual marriage unconstitutional. This was a ruling that helped solidify the standing that will give young homosexuals the ability to take the next step forward in achieving true equality.

Victories like the overturning of Proposition 8 and the addition of Elena Kagan to the United States Supreme Court are the force pushing the light at the end of the tunnel back towards our grasp. Milestones such as these build momentum that will propel us closer to the end of the tunnel and ensure that the government will never discriminate any of our Nation’s citizens. People must not and cannot be discriminated against for any reason, especially a reason that is based on ignorance and insensitivity. NYSYD will remain committed to supporting all efforts to afford equal protection for all individuals in any form.

NYSYD Gives Back

Posted July 22, 2010
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Amid the heat and humidity of summer, Young Democrats around New York State have been rolling-up their sleeves in service to their community.

On July 17, the Dutchess County Young Democrats “adopted-a-spot” as part of the County’s Watershed Awareness Month. The project aims at informing the public of the role of watersheds and their importance to public health and safety. As part of the “Adopt-a-Spot” project, participants will experience watersheds as regular sources of drinking water, recreation, and natural beauty; all reasons why they must be protected and kept litter-free. Members of the Dutchess County Young Dems spent their Saturday clearing a local stream of materials hazardous to all aspects of the natural habitat.

Our partnership with the “Adopt-a-Spot” program is only one piece of NYSYD‘s commitment to our communities. Community service is obviously a non-partisan issue and demonstrates the notion that public service does not only mean being involved in the political process.

Continuing around our State, the Albany County Young Democrats,will be partnerng with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York in a 3 day, area-wide food drive to assist local organizations and less-fortunate individuals in the fight to end hunger.

The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York has been helping to feed the needy in our communities since 1982, serving 23 counties and providing over 20 million pounds of food to 1,000 agencies. On July 27-28, volunteers will distribute flyers a collection bags to communities around the Albany for locals to place non-perishable food items in the provided bags. On July 31, volunteers will collect the donated items, which will be left on the respective participant’s doorsteps. Those that are wishing to assist the Albany County Young Democrats or would like more information check out the listing of local YD events on our website.

During a time where so many have so few, it is extremely important to remember that in order to be effective leaders, we need to roll up our sleeves every once in a while. Our service to individual communities from Suffolk to Steuben and Erie to Essex can occur in the form of anything from a food drive or clean up to a letter writing campaign or rally. The ability to lead our State into the next generation is more than just being able to win an election, it is about standing for a cause and inspiring positive action that will connect everyone in every community. It will remain a priority of NYSYD to replicate events similar to those of Albany and Dutchess hoping to bring together neighborhoods for a cause greater than the stakes of any election.

New Yorker Stephanie Hausner Gets Re-Elected to YDA DNC Post

Posted July 19, 2010
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Clarkstown Councilwoman Re-Elected to National Democratic Post

William Demarest, New City Patch, July 19, 2010

Clarkstown Town Board member Stephanie Hausner has been re-elected to serve as the Young Democrats of America DNC Woman.

She was re-elected at the YDA Summer Meeting in Washington, D.C., along with a new president of the national youth outreach arm of the Democratic National Committee.

Hausner will continue to be responsible for helping shape the direction of the Young Democrats of America. In her position as DNC Woman, she is one of nine national officers elected every two years. These officers include, president, three vice presidents, treasurer, secretary and YDA DNC man and woman.

During her time as the YDA DNC Woman, Hausner has been able to advocate for youth in New York and has been a leading voice at the national level on behalf of her home state.

“I am incredibly thankful to YDA for once again trusting me to represent young Americans on the DNC,” Hausner said. “I’m excited to continue to work with leaders from across our country so that together we can maintain the momentum that the young Democrats started in 2004, which reached record heights in 2008, and will continue to soar in 2010.”

“In what is clearly a crucial election year it is extremely reassuring to know that New York will continue to have an advocate at the National level,” said New York State Young Democrats President Kevin Lawrie. “Obviously Democrats all over the country have a lot at stake this year and New York is no different. Stephanie’s experience and connections with the DNC will help tap into necessary resources that will help get out the vote in November.”

To read more visit: http://newcity.patch.com/articles/clarkstown-councilwoman-re-elected-to-national-democratic-post

Westchester County Young Dem Featured in Local News Young Bedford Corners Democrat Taking Local Politics by Storm

Posted July 13, 2010
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Nina Markowitz–Bedford-Katonah Patch

July 3, 2010

Bedford Corners resident Jeremy Mand never let go of his college idealism. In fact, he built his life around it. Mand, 25, is co-vice chair of the Bedford Democratic Committee, the treasurer of the Westchester Young Democrats, and has a growing list of local politicians he has worked with.

“As a young person graduating school, you want to hope for the best for the future,” Mand said at a recent luncheon held by the Bedford Democratic Committee. But when Mand graduated from Manhattanville College in 2008 and looked to the future, he didn’t like what he saw. And it was the unsettled feeling government gave him that motivated him to take charge of change.

“I got really started with being upset with the policies in the Bush Administration,” he said. “That was a start for me, got me motivated to go into politics.

In a field typically dominated by older generations, and notorious for C-SPAN style, sleep-inducing speeches, Mand instantly found his calling.

What’s more, he described his leap into the world of politics to be “exciting” and “energizing.”

Mand began his career working for Congressman John Hall on his election campaign in 2008, and on his finance team in 2009.

“Getting to know Congressman Hall on a personal level, he’s just such a good person,” Mand said. “He is just such a good guy, with the highest ideals.”

To read more of the article by Nina Markowitz go to: http://bedford.patch.com/articles/young-bedford-corners-democrat-taking-local-politics-by-storm#c

Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV)

Statement on the Passing of US Senator Robert Byrd from NYSYD President

Posted June 28, 2010
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Early this morning the United States of America lost a giant. Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia succumbed to effects of a heat stroke that manifested itself with additional symptoms. Senator Byrd was a model representative for the voters of West Virginia since his election to the House of Representatives in 1952. Since then Byrd’s voice has transcended generations of members in the upper chamber articulating arguments that straddled partisan lines, regardless of popular and political pressures.

Byrd’s recognition for his stances on issues is what helped him lead the Senate as Majority Leader and all of his other leadership roles. Byrd’s leadership allowed the country to experience substantive debate that helped shape our nation for half of a century, even if you disagreed with what he had to say.

Senator Byrd’s relationships developed over his time in the Senate along with many of his stances on issues. Byrd’s open-mindedness, especially regarding his stances on Civil Rights, changed as the views of his constituents and pulse of America changed, ensuring that West Virginia would always have its voice accurately heard in the United States Senate.

Byrd was present for all of the critical votes during the recent health care debate and upon his final affirmative vote exclaimed, Mr. President, this is for my friend Ted Kennedy! Aye!

Byrd’s abilities to govern from the center of an idealistic spectrum and commitment to bipartisan representation is legendary and should serve as a model for all elected officials at every level of government in our Nation.

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