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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=054333419-30122003>Well, 2004 is almost
upon us, and it only seems right that we take a moment right now to review
2003. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=054333419-30122003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=054333419-30122003>It was certainly a
busy year. One which saw the introduction of "Timothy's Law" for the first
time, as Tom and Donna O'Clair joined the campaign in January and quickly
became two of the most active and ardent supporters of the bill, named after
their son, that we could hope for. In February, supporters of the
bill started coming to Albany from throughout the state, communicating their
support for Timothy's Law to legislators and making it clear that as
constituents, they hoped to see their legislator's name listed as a
co-sponsor. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=054333419-30122003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=054333419-30122003>In March, the
campaign picked up yet another high profile supporter in Jessica Lynch.
Jessica would eventually go onto become Miss New York State, and has spoken
passionately about Timothy's Law at every event she has taken part in, including
the Miss New York State pageant in June. The campaign gained momentum
in April when Assemblyman Paul Tonko, the O'Clair's representative in the
Assembly, introduced Timothy's Law with 50 of his peers. In May, Senator
Thomas Libous introduced Timothy's Law in the Senate on May 29,
with 32 of his peers in the Majority signed on as co-sponsors.
Jessica Lynch and the O'Clairs also took advantage of the end of winter by
doing a whirlwind media tour through Upstate New York, gaining prominent media
attention for the issue, and beginning the process of making those outside the
mental health community and Albany aware of the presence and importance of this
legislation.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=054333419-30122003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=054333419-30122003>June was a watershed
month for Timothy's Law. At the beginning of the month, Assemblyman Tonko
ushered Timothy's Law through his chamber by a vote of 131-11. The issue
then gained national attention as it was featured on NBC's <EM>Today
Show</EM>. This prompted massive interest in the issue, as the Timothy's
Law website averaged at times 1,000 hits per hour. The large grassroots
effort that had been built became evident when thousands gathered on the
boardwalk on Long Island to march in support of Timothy's
Law.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=054333419-30122003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=054333419-30122003>Over the summer,
supporters of Timothy's Law began several innovative efforts to draw attention
to their issue both in the media nad in the Senate. In July, the campaign
began sending $1.26, the per person per month cost of Timothy's Law, to Senate
Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. The message was clear, "We are willing to
part with this money, and want you to pass Timothy's Law so we can." In
September, hundreds gathered in Albany's Washington Park to march on the Capitol
and demand that the Senate pass Timothy's Law. This event coincided with
the Senate's one day return to Albany, and while it did not result in the
passage of Timothy's Law, it did draw attention to the issue yet again, once
again raising public awareness. Indeed, Jim Franco of the Troy Record,
Senator Bruno's hometown paper, called the rally, "...the most impressive event
I have seen on the storied east steps (of the State Capitol)." He
went on to conclude his article by saying, "With the heartfelt conviction, blind
determination and genuine human compassion I saw Tuesday, it is appalling to
think they (Timothy's Law advocates) are still being turned a deaf
ear."</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=054333419-30122003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=054333419-30122003>As winter
approached, the spirit of Timothy's Law supporters did not wane. In early
November, hundreds of supporters once again gathered, this time in Buffalo, to
call for the passage of Timothy's Law. In New York City, supporters
of Timothy's Law gained a great friend and ally when New York City
Councilman David Weprin of Queens introduced a resolution calling upon the New
York State Senate to pass Timothy's Law. Throughout the state,
supporters took to the streets to flyer their neighborhoods and spread the word
about this important campaign. MHANYS, one of the primary organizations
supporting Timothy's Law, used the time to issue a report about the high costs
of health care, and linking it not to health insurance mandates, but to the
million dollar salaries being paid to insurance company CEO's. Although
this report was not directly linked to Timothy's Law, it was obviously
relevant as an answer to the issue of cost that insurance industry lobbyists
have been using in opposition to Timothy's Law.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=054333419-30122003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=054333419-30122003>Finally, in the
weeks before the holiday, Santa Claus even appeared to show his support for
Timothy's Law. Santa perused the halls of the Legislative Office Building
in Albany giving coal to the NYS Senate for their failure to pass Timothy's
Law. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=054333419-30122003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=054333419-30122003>Although Timothy's
Law did not pass this year, we must look at our accomplishments and
achievements. By turning Timothy's Law into an issue with large grassroots
support and almost universal name recognition, we accomplished
what very few (outside of ourselves, who always knew what we could do
together as a community) thought we were capable of. We have built a
statewide team of people that will not stop working until Timothy's
Law becomes reality. As we move into 2004, reflect on our successes
from this year to steel yourselves for yet another year of advocacy and
action. For the fight will not be easy, but then again, those worth
winning never are.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=054333419-30122003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=054333419-30122003>Happy New Year
to everyone, may it be the beginning of a great time for all of
us.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=054333419-30122003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=054333419-30122003>Please spread this
message to those you know, to spread the word of our success and help build
the movement to support Timothy's Law. If you have any questions or
comments about hits e-mail or Timothy's Law in general, you may reply to <A
href="mailto:bomalley@mhanys.org">bomalley@mhanys.org</A>. Please do not
reply to this e-mail, as it will go to a mailbox that is checked infrequently at
best. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
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