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Goodbye Senator Kennedy

Posted August 27, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

Dear New York State Young Democrats,

I never met Senator Kennedy in person but I remember attending a meeting at the Senator’s Washington D.C. office last year. As I was sitting in the reception area waiting for his staff to meet with me, I was awe struck by all of the pictures of Senator Kennedy, his family and the world leaders the Senator met during his political career. Senator Kennedy was larger than life and I was saddened yesterday to hear that the Liberal Lion of the Senate had lost his long battle with brain cancer.

kennedy

As President Barack Obama said yesterday, “our country has lost a great leader who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time”. Senator Kennedy helped push through the Americans with Disabilities Act, he extended prescription drugs to seniors, he helped to ensure health care coverage for children from low income families and he was a champion of Civil Rights.

Obama_Kennedy

Senator Kennedy’s 1980 Democratic National Convention speech still is a very powerful message for all of us today: “For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die”. The work does go on, the cause does endure, the hope does still live and we must not let the dream die.

Kennedy Brothers

I believe that now is the time for Young Democrats all across New York State to join together, start local chapters in areas where Young Democrats have no voice, and let our elected officials know where we stand on health care reform, equality for all New Yorkers, education and any other issue that matters to you.

Senator Kennedy has passed the torch to our generation, but we must now be the ones to carry that torch. This is our opportunity and we must not let our beloved friend down.

I need your help now more than ever!

There are still places in New York where Young Democrats have no one or no place to turn to. Please join me as we work to strengthen the New York State Young Democrats and ensure that our voices are heard.

For more information on the New York State Young Democrats or on how to start a chapter, please visit our website at nysyd.org

Sincerely,
Matthew Silverstein
President

NYSYD Delegation To 2009 YDA National Convention

Posted July 29, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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Delegation Chair: Matthew Silverstein

Vice Chair: Tajian Jones

Whips: Michael Corbett & Chris Smith

National Committee Members: Dustin Hausner & Kate O’Hagen

Delegates:

Michael Gilberg
Matt Silverstein
Stephanie Hausner
Michael Corbett
Tajian Jones
Kate O’Hagen
Mara Blumenthal
Dustin Hausner
Chris Smith
Brian Letchworth
Matt Peter
John Salka
Tedd Collins
Dion Powell
Sarah Jane Arengger
Daniella Johnson
Jenni Royer
Ian Rivera
Julienne Verdi
Kevin Caneco
Amanda Pizzuti
Erich Reimer
Al Benninghoff
Carolyn Schultz
Chelsea Kadish
George Kevgas
Kevin Lawrie
Jeff Sterling
Ciara Pressler
Heather James
Sam Hudis
Emmy Suzuki Harris
Julie Blitzer
Taylor Stirek
Emilie Simone
Chris Bailey
Melissa LaMontanaro

Alternate Delegates

Jessica Shearer
Michelle Shaljian
Josh Waters
Chas Danner

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Aproves Sotomayor

Posted July 29, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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Sonia-Sotomayor-Confirmation-Hearing 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.

NYSYD Executive Committee Adopts Health Care Resolution

Posted July 24, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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On July 23, 2009 The New York State Young Democrats Executive Committee Adopted The Following Resolution….

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.

Happy Pride!

Posted June 28, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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Dear New York State Young Democrats,

As President of the New York State Young Democrats, I would like to wish everyone in the LGBT community a very happy Pride! This is a very special year, as this marks the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, and the birth of the LGBT Liberation Movement.

As the 39th annual Gay Pride Parade marches down Fifth Avenue, I urge all young democrats to remember what is at stake this year. Homosexual couples still are unable to marry in New York State. True equality is within our reach, but we need your help! I urge everyone to join our Marriage Equality Campaign and remind your State Senators that we demand equality now!

Please visit our campaign at nyequality.com

Remember that together we really can make a difference, and someday soon we will truly have Equality.

Matthew Silverstein

President

Elect Nina!

Posted June 16, 2009 by Seamus Campbell

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Nina Petraro Bastardi is a twenty six year old lawyer from Valley Stream, NY who is running for County Legislature in Nassau County. She has already done so much for her community, and by running to become a County Legislator, she hopes to be able to do even more.

Nina has always had an interest in politics and being very involved in her community. I should know, we’ve known each other since we were thirteen! I first met Nina during our freshman year at Sacred Heart Academy. Then, as now she was a smart and driven young woman with a lot of heart! In the past few years, both as an undergraduate and a law student at St. John’s University she has made every effort to better her community.

Whether it is being a part of Action Long Island, working tirelessly leading the charge to bring more affordable housing for young people and young families, or staying involved in her alma mater and church, Nina has never been one to sit back on the sidelines. She has been recognized for her achievements by being honored as one of the “30 under 30” on Long Island. She is a great leader, and will make an amazing County Legislator.

Her campaign has gotten off to a great start! She has been out every day meeting people and getting to know what matters most to those living in the third legislative district. The announcement of her candidacy can be found on Huffington Post, as well as Newsday and the NY Daily News. All of us in Nassau County are extremely excited for this race, and to elect Nina into the County Legislature in November!

10 Things to Know About Pedro Espada, Jr.‏

Posted June 12, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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10 Things to Know About Pedro Espada, Jr.

Earlier this week State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. was named President Pro Tempore of the New York State Senate after he and fellow Democrat Hiram Monserrate turned their back on the State Senate Democratic Majority and backed an attempted Republican Coup which has crippled the New York State Government.

To give some background, the New York State Young Democrats have put together the following “10 Things To Know About Pedro Espada, Jr.” As you read this, contemplate the irony in his claims of bringing change and a new era to Albany after everything he has been accused of in his political career.

We hope you will join us in 2010 as we work to defeat State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr.

1. According to the New York Daily News, he’s called “the Bronx’s ‘Teflon Pol’ for good reason- nothing ever seems to stick to State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. except maybe the whiff of trouble”.

2. The Riverdale Press reported that as of April 16, 2009 State Senator Espada did not even have a district office in his district.

3. The New York Times reports that State Senator Pedro Espada “owes the City of New York $61,750 in fines for fraudulent campaign fund-raising going back to 2001”.

4. The New York Times also reports that State Senator Pedro Espada “has failed to file 41 reports with the State Board of Elections, and has racked up $13,553 in penalties since 2002”.

5. New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is apparently investigating State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr to determine if he used his nonprofit organization Soundview Health Clinic as a slush fund for his political campaigns.

6. The Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson is apparently investigating claims that State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. lives in Westchester County rather than his Bronx district.

7. Before turning his back on the Democratic Party & State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. requested $2 million dollars in State Senate earmarks for two organizations that he founded, which were rumored to have been created to receive those grants. In April State Senate Democrats rejected the grant applications when they could not confirm that these organizations were legitimate.

8. According to the New York Times “In 2005, three employees of a Bronx nonprofit health care company run by Mr. Espada, the Soundview HealthCare Network, pleaded guilty to diverting $30,000 from programs for family care and AIDS treatment to one of his campaigns. Mr. Espada was never charged.”

9. In 2002, State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. announced that he would switch parties and become a Republican. He never actually changed his voter registration, but he did sit with the Republican majority to participate in the party’s conferences.

10. According to Project Vote Smart: The Voter’s Self Defense System “Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. repeatedly refused to provide any responses to citizens on the issues through the 2008 Political Courage Test when asked to do so by national leaders of the political parties, prominent members of the media, Project Vote Smart President Richard Kimball, and Project Vote Smart staff.”

State Senator Monserrate Negotiationing With The Democrats

Posted June 11, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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BREAKING NEWS!

Cityhallnews.com is reporting…… “Shortly after reaffirming his support for Pedro Espada and Dean Skelos on the Senate floor, Hiram Monserrate once again entered into negotiations with the Senate Democrats on Thursday to rejoin the caucus. He remains in those meetings as of late this afternoon, and some have speculated that his intent is to return to the Democratic fold. Monserrate’s spokesman, Wayne Mahlke, said he could not confirm or deny the meetings are taking place.” All I know is he was on the floor of the Senate this morning,” Mahlke said, “where he stands right now, I have not heard.”

Albany Times Union Reports State Senator Sampson Supports Malcolm Smith

Posted June 10, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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BREAKING NEWS!

The Albany Times Union Reports State Senator John Sampson (D) supports Majority Leader Malcolm Smith.

“Sen. John L. Sampson, the Kings County Democrat, said he is supporting ‘Majority Leader’ Malcolm Smith and disavowed claims that he was taking over the Democratic conference as minority leader. He said he respects Sen. Pedro Espada, who received 32 votes on Monday to become the president pro tem of the 62-member Senate, and will continue having discussions with him. But his loyalty, he said, remains with Smith/”

10 Things To Know About Sonia Sotomayor!

Posted May 28, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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From MoveOn.org Political Action

Below is a list of 10 key things about Sonia Sotomayor that you might not know. Can you check it out and send it to 10 friends today? If each of us forwards the list, we can start to get the word out about Judge Sotomayor, and help to ensure that she gets a speedy and fair confirmation process.

Ten Things To Know About Judge Sonia Sotomayor

1. Judge Sotomayor would bring more federal judicial experience to the bench than any Supreme Court justice in 100 years. Over her three-decade career, she has served in a wide variety of legal roles, including as a prosecutor, litigator, and judge.

2. Judge Sotomayor is a trailblazer. She was the first Latina to serve on the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and was the youngest member of the court when appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of New York. If confirmed, she will be the first Hispanic to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.

3. While on the bench, Judge Sotomayor has consistently protected the rights of working Americans, ruling in favor of health benefits and fair wages for workers in several cases.

4. Judge Sotomayor has shown strong support for First Amendment rights, including in cases of religious expression and the rights to assembly and free speech.

5. Judge Sotomayor has a strong record on civil rights cases, ruling for plaintiffs who had been discriminated against based on disability, sex and race.

6. Judge Sotomayor embodies the American dream. Born to Puerto Rican parents, she grew up in a South Bronx housing project and was raised from age nine by a single mother, excelling in school and working her way to graduate summa cum laude from Princeton University and to become an editor of the Law Journal at Yale Law School.

7. In 1995, Judge Sotomayor “saved baseball” when she stopped the owners from illegally changing their bargaining agreement with the players, thereby ending the longest professional sports walk-out in history.

8. Judge Sotomayor ruled in favor of the environment and against business interests in 2007 in a case of protecting aquatic life in the vicinity of power plants, a decision that was overturned by the Roberts Supreme Court.

9. In 1992, Judge Sotomayor was confirmed by the Senate without opposition after being appointed to the bench by George H.W. Bush.

10. Judge Sotomayor is a widely respected legal figure, having been described as “…an outstanding colleague with a keen legal mind,” “highly qualified for any position in which wisdom, intelligence, collegiality and good character would be assets,” and “a role model of aspiration, discipline, commitment, intellectual prowess and integrity.”

Judge Sotomayor is an historic, uniquely qualified nominee to the Supreme Court. Let’s get the word out and make sure we get a prompt, fair confirmation on her nomination.

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