I believe it is extremely important that students, when learning of the history of the United States, understand that the histories of its entire people are important. With this understanding in mind, students must also be aware of the fact that many different heritages have found home in the United States and that together we have a shared history. It is also important that students understand not only the facts and dates that make American history, but also how history has affected the lives of African-Americans.

Along with my staff, we congratulate Jessica Grace, Christopher Thacker, and Roiqueita Johns as our 2010 Black History Month Essay Contest Winners. Jessica Grace is a 4th grade student in Mr. Hills’ class at School #9. Jessica wrote her essay on Ruby Bridges, the young girl who was one of few African-American children in New Orleans in the Spring of 1960 to determine which children would be the first to attend an integrated school. Christopher Thacker is a 5th grade student in Mrs. Morales-Kakuda’s class at School #17. He wrote his essay on The Origins of Slavery in America. Roiqueita Johns is a 6th grade student in Mrs. Nielander’s class at School #9. She wrote her essay on Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey.

We admire these students for their efforts in recognizing many of the influential leaders of the past and of today. These students mirror the qualities of fortitude and consistency, which define the essence of the Black experience in America. These students will undoubtedly be future leaders of their communities. Again, on behalf of my staff and me, we salute you and congratulate you and your families on your efforts. Through your shared and sustained commitment to Black History, Jessica Grace, Christopher Thacker, and Roiqueita Johns have unselfishly advanced the spirit of the African-American experience.

“Voting is the linchpin of any democracy,” Gantt said. “That’s why it’s so critical that we ensure that those who wish to exercise that right can do so without difficulty.”

The Assembly’s legislation would improve voter access by:

Enabling blind and visually impaired voters to request in advance the Braille or large-print absentee ballots for all elections be sent to their homes, or that ballots in these formats be made available at their polling places to be used in lieu of voting machines on Election Day for school district elections.

Ensuring polling places, whenever practicable, be located on a public transportation route (A.7850); and requiring the polling places to be accessible to voters with physical disabilities and establishing basic accessibility guidelines to ensure consistency and encourage compliance at polling sites (A.10946)

“Too often, everyday tasks become a burden for people with disabilities due to accessibility issues,” Gantt said. “Making ATMs, homes and gas stations more accessible can make a world of difference.”

The legislation:

• requires ATMs to use both audio and visual systems of relaying messages to customers (A.4766-A);

• requires gas stations that provide both full and self service to provide full service to people with disabilities with a valid New York State handicapped parking permit at the self-service price, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

• adds “disability” to areas of the Human Rights Law where it has been omitted – which will strengthen protections – and clarify that “reasonable accommodation of a disability” may include “reasonable modification” to the common use portions of a dwelling (A. 10771); and

• it expands accessible housing opportunities for people with disabilities by ensuring that housing protections offered to people with disabilities under Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act are enforceable on state and local levels (A.9757).

It’s crucial that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) function in accordance with its goal, Gantt said. That’s why the assembly passed bills to clarify the scope of protections against discrimination on the basis of disability in services provided by public entities in New York State by making the state Human Rights Law consistent with Title II of the ADA (A.10676). Gantt also supported a measure that would waive the state’s sovereign immunity to liability under the ADA and certain other federal acts (A.3651).

“As legislators, it’s our responsibility to deliver equity wherever possible, ensuring all New Yorkers enjoy the same freedoms,” Gantt said. “For that reason I’ll continue working to safeguard the rights of those living with disabilities.”

Assemblyman Gantt and the Assembly passed a package of bills that will help law enforcement solve crimes by expanding the DNA databank requiring micro-stamping technology on semiautomatic pistols and protecting the wrongfully accused.

“The Assembly’s package of legislation expands the type of information available to law enforcement officials, giving them additional tools to better protect and serve our communities,” Gantt said.

One piece of legislation would require semiautomatic pistols manufactured or delivered to a licensed dealer in this state to be capable of microstamping ammunition (A.6468-C). The bill would ensure that when a gun is fired, information identifying the make, model and serial number of the gun is stamped onto the cartridge. The technology would allow law enforcement officials investigating homicides and other crimes to trace firearms through cartridge cases found at crime scenes and possibly be able to link them to other crimes.

“Currently, ballistic evidence is limited and can’t lead investigators directly to a firearm used in a crime unless that firearm is recovered,” Gantt said. “Microstamping ammunition is a significant advancement for law enforcement because investigators will only need to recover the cartridge.”

Gantt also supported legislation that would establish a Commission on the Integrity of the Criminal Justice System, an independent agency that would investigate allegations that innocent people were wrongly convicted of criminal offenses. The commission, to be comprised of appointees from the governor and legislative leaders, would have the power to issue subpoenas, as well as seek testimony from witnesses involved in a criminal case.

“DNA evidence has been confirmed over and over as an accurate source to identify criminals and exonerate the wrongly accused,” Gantt said. “It is a travesty every time a person is mistakenly convicted of a crime. The individual loses everything, while the real criminal is free to commit more crimes. This legislation will reduce the incidence of wrongful convictions in New York and improve our criminal justice system.”

The legislative package also included a bill that would require the Division of Criminal Justice Services to issue a report on handgun transactions and pistol license issuances in New York State, which will include a description of licensing policies and procedures that are followed by each issuing authority. (A.10894).

“Releasing both the statistics and the overview of policies will increase transparency and could be helpful in policy discussions among legislators and the public,” Gantt said.

Just because school is out doesn’t mean we have to stop learning. Studies have shown that children who continue to read during the summer perform better in school in the fall. To encourage our children to continue reading during the summer, I have set up a summer READING CHALLENGE.

I challenge students of all ages to read at least 10 books this summer. When you have read 10 books or more your child has earned a New York State Assembly Excellence in Reading Certificate. Just fill out the bottom of this form and return it to me with a list and summary of the books you have read and I’ll see that your child receives a certificate.

A good source for reading material is the local public library. Thank you and Happy Reading!

School

---

Grade

---

Parent’s Name

---

Street Address

---

City or Town

---

Zip Code

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

Back