[Timothy's Team] Reflection and thanks during the holidays

[Bryan O'Malley]

In this season of thanks and remembrance, we wanted to take time to reflect
upon all of the positive aspects of this campaign to this point, for while
we are all disappointed that Timothy's Law is not a reality at this
juncture, it is important that we recognize the amazing things that all of
us have accomplished.  We therefore wish to reflect upon not just the
activities of the past few weeks; but those of the larger campaign, and
offer all of our thanks where necessary.  
 
Let's start with the immediate past.  We are sincerely thankful to all of
you who helped make the rally a success.  About 450 people came to Albany to
make sure that those in the Capitol know New Yorkers want Timothy's Law.
This effort took a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication to this
issue from people all over the state.  Our sincere thanks go to Alexandra
Zimmerman, whose tireless (used in the most literal sense of the phrase)
efforts and sense of dedication brought her on a 122 mile trek from Warwick
to Albany, in memory of her High School classmate, Robin Desrats.  We thank
the Desrats, who worked so hard with Alexandra to ensure that her walk was a
success, and who brought their daughter's story to the fore of public
discussion so that other families will not have to endure what they did.  We
thank everyone who helped coordinate throughout the state: organizing
busses, publicizing the rally locally, and serving as local point people.
We thank those elected officials who continue to recognize the importance of
this law, and took time out of their busy schedule to attend the rally -
officials such as Assemblyman Paul Tonko, sponsor of Timothy's Law in the
Assembly and a tireless advocate for our cause, Assemblyman James Brennan,
Senate Minority Leader David Paterson, Albany County Legislator E. Nancy
Wiley and Assemblywoman-elect Donna Lupardo, whose work at the MHA of the
Southern Tier has provided firsthand experience that will drive her advocacy
within the Assembly.  Finally, we thank all of you who were able to take
time out from your busy day to join us.  450 of you came by foot, bus, car,
truck, van, and I think there was even a bike or two.  We appreciate all of
your dedication.  The rally was made the success it was thanks to your
dedication.
 
Another presence at the rally, a woman who deserves to be thanked, is Sue
Wheeler.  A small businesswoman in Binghamton, Sue took it upon herself to
launch Small businesses for Timothy's Law.  She is launching this group in
the face of opposition to the bill from the powerful National Federation of
Independent Businesses and Business Council of New York State, who she
insists do not represent her interests as a small business owner.  She knows
she is not alone out there, and is actively organizing small business owners
from throughout the state to join her in fighting for the best interests of
their business by fighting FOR Timothy's Law.  If you own a small business,
or know someone who does, and would like to join Susan's effort, please
contact Michael Seereiter at mseereiter at mhanys.org.  We thank all of the
small businesses who are standing up to the groups who are misrepresenting
their interests.
 
But, while this latest rally helped reinforce the strength and continuing
growth in size of the Timothy's Law movement, it was by no means the only
thing that we have to be thankful for.
 
We have to thank the O'Clair family.  While their dedication and willingness
to sacrifice has been mentioned time and time again, it can never be
forgotten.  Their willingness to lend Timothy's name to this campaign, and
serve as the public face, is an inspiration to us all.  Their willingness to
offer counsel to those who find themselves in similar situations is amazing.
All in all, their tireless dedication and optimism has allowed this campaign
to become what it is today, and for that, we can never repay them.
 
We thank all of you.  Timothy's Law has gained such widespread support
throughout the state because you have identified it as a priority.  You have
talked about it to friends and family.  You have written letters to the
editor, and to your legislators.  You have forced this issue onto the radar
screen of almost every person in New York State.  While the O'Clairs have
been the public face for this campaign around the state, it would have gone
nowhere had individuals like you not latched onto it at the local level and
moved forward.  You have come up with so many ideas that the campaign has
been able to use.  You have proved the impetus for so many of our decisions.
And when we get tired, when we start to get depressed, it is you who cheer
us on and remind us that this fight is not for us, it is for all of you.  It
is you who remind us that we need to win, and can accept nothing less than
victory.  It is you who keep us going, and keep us strong.  Thank you.
 
We thank every one of the legislators who have time and again supported
Timothy's Law.  The support that Assemblyman Paul Tonko has provided is
amazing.  WE could never have anticipated such a vocal and hardworking
sponsor when we first approached him as Tom and Donna O'Clair's
Assemblymember; however, he has certainly taken this issue and made it his
own.  Assemblyman Tonko has been supported in his efforts by many of his
colleagues, most notably Assembly Insurance Chair Pete Grannis, and Assembly
Mental Health Chair Peter Rivera.  These two have provided Assemblyman Tonko
with the support they needed, and when it came time to bring the issue to
Speaker Silver, they presented a powerful case.  We do also need to thank
Speaker Silver, who committed his time and energy last year on this issue,
and demonstrated his entire conference's support for the bill when he agreed
to help push for a tax credit for small businesses as a compromise to the
stalled Timothy's Law.  Assemblyman Joel Miller also deserves strong kudos
for his support of Timothy's Law.  Two years ago, the Assemblyman took the
rare step of admitting he had cast an incorrect vote the prior year, and in
doing so began what would amount to two years of strong advocacy for
Timothy's Law, both as a member of the minority conference in the Assembly
and as a small businessman.  These represent some of the more vocal members
of the Assembly who have supported Timothy's Law; however, we recognize that
the bill passed with 133 members supporting it, and that many of those
members have publicized it in their newsletters to constituents and other
resources.  We thank all of them.
 
On the Senate side, our thanks came in mixed forms.  We are thankful to the
57 Senators who, either through sponsorship or the completion of what is
commonly referred to as a blue-slip, indicated their support for S.5329,
Timothy's Law.  Further, although none of the advocates thought it was
enough, and the O'Clair family deemed it, "far short of Timothy's Law," the
Senate's vote to pass their version of mental health parity legislation last
year represented the first time in the body's history that the measure had
come to the floor and passed in any form.  We are thankful that they have
heard that their constituents want parity, and that, with some work,we can
get to the point where we can all be happy.  We must also give thanks to the
Senate Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader David Paterson and longtime
parity advocate Senator Tom Duane.  On the night that the Senate passed
their weaker version of parity, the Senate Democrats stood strong and
debated in favor of Timothy's Law.  Senator Duane introduced an amendment
that would have substituted Timothy's Law for the watered down bill, and
Senators Paterson, Schneiderman, and Liz Krueger joined him in supporting
S.5329 and providing rousing debate in favor of strong mental health and
chemical dependency health insurance parity.
 
We thank the hundreds of organizations who have signed on in support of
Timothy's Law throughout the state.  Our supporters sheet is full, and if
the font gets any smaller, we will have to hand out complimentary magnifying
glasses so that everyone can read the names.  The support this movement
enjoys crosses traditional advocacy lines.  We enjoy the support of not only
the mental health and chemical dependency communities; but countless others
as well.  We enjoy the support of groups representing the healthcare
community, as well as those representing organized labor and the religious
community.  The breadth of support is amazing, and we hope it continues to
grow.    
 
We thank Ryan Deppa, a young man from the Southern Tier who has used his
creative talents to create Project Timmy, a fundraiser and educational tool
that utilizes the efforts of musicians and artists throughout the Southern
tier and Western New York to help spread the word about Timothy's Law and
raise money for the effort.  He has arranged two events, at Foster's in
Alleghany, NY on December 11, and at the Floodzone in Limestone, NY on
December 12.  Admission to both events will be $5.  For more information,
please contact Ryan at rdeppa_mhaadvocate at yahoo.com.
 
We also give thanks to the media, who have covered this story from every
angle, throughout the state.  From Buffalo to Albany, Plattsburgh to Long
Island, reporters have picked up on this story and run with it.  Many have
taken it upon themselves to identify a local family who has been affected by
the lack of parity.  Many have taken weeks to research the issue in depth
and present a compelling case for parity.  We have even gained the attention
of a few national audiences.  All have been touched in some way by this
cause.  This attention has allowed us to reach more people than we could
have thought possible, and we are thankful.  The reporters, producers,
editors and anchors who have helped us are too many to name here; but, in
each of your communities, you know who they are.  
 
But, again, all of this comes down to you.  We know it.  You know it.  The
legislators know it.
 
Thank you, and we hope you enjoy an even happier and healthy holiday season.
 
Please forward this note of thanks to anyone you think might be interested.
If you have any questions or comments, please do not reply to this message.
Instead, send a message to bomalley at mhanys.org. 
 
 
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