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<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial color=#000080>Well, it has
been a long time since we last communicated with you, and since that time,
Timothy's Law has gotten off to a great start in this year's Legislative
Session. The momentum from last year's campaign has carried over to this
year, and there is still a "buzz" in the air around Albany, and throughout
the state, about Timothy's Law. Indeed, Jim Franco, a reporter for the
<EM>Troy Record</EM> who provided us with such great coverage in Senate Majority
Leader Joe Bruno's hometown following our rally on September 16, mentioned
Timothy's Law as one of the pieces that would be back this year for another
strong push in his first article on the session this year (see link for
"Groundhog Day"). This early media attention was supplemented recently in
both Syracuse and the Hudson Valley. In Syracuse, Debra Graham, a staunch
supporter of Timothy's Law ever since her son Josh completed suicide in the
Spring of last year, was able to secure media attention on WSTM (see link
for "Fighting for Life"). Both the Middletown <EM>Times Herald Record
</EM>did a wonderful article on Timothy's story and the need for Timothy's Law
following a one day tour of the Hudson Valley by Tom O'Clair and Michael
Seereiter, Director of Public Policy for the Mental Health Association in New
York State (MHANYS) (see link for "Timothy's Law awaits Legislature"). A
great thanks goes out to both, who gave up their President's Day holiday to go
out there and continue to get the word out about this important
legislation. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial
color=#000080></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial color=#000080>This
attention has resulted in the Employer Alliance for Affordable Healthcare, an
group of small businesses supported by the health insurance
industry, sending a letter to targeted members of the Legislature and the
media which lies about the effects Timothy's Law would have on businesses and
consumers in New York. This resulted in a story this past Monday in
<EM>The Daily Star</EM>, a newspaper out of Oneonta which laid out both sides of
the argument very nicely (see link for "Timothy's Law Spurs
Debate" ). However, as proof of how compelling the argument is for
Timothy's Law, the paper still issued an editorial calling on the passage on
this legislation (see link for "Insurance Should Cover Mental
Health")</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial
color=#000080></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial color=#000080>With all of
this news surrounding Timothy's Law, the bill's supporters have been busy
mounting a new campaign to pass Timothy's Law this year. We would
like to inform you of several steps that you can now take to help pass Timothy's
Law.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<UL>
<LI><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#000080><STRONG>Tuesday, March 9 is a call-in day</STRONG>. We
want to fill the Senate's phone lines with calls telling them it is time to
pass Timothy's Law. Please make two phone calls on Tuesday March 9,
one to your State Senator and the other to Senate Majority Leader Joe
Bruno. Tell them, "I am willing to pay $1.26 for mental health and
chemical dependency insurance. Please pass Timothy's Law, Senate
bill 5329." Call the Senate switchboard at (518) 455-2800 and ask
to be connected to your Senator. To find out who your Senator
is, visit </FONT><A
href="http://map01.elections.state.ny.us/boe/main.asp"><FONT
color=#0000ff>http://map01.elections.state.ny.us/boe/main.asp</FONT></A><FONT
color=#000080>.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial
color=#000080></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<UL>
<LI><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#000080><STRONG>Tuesday, March 16 is the Rally to Support Timothy's
Law</STRONG>. Join hundreds of Timothy's Law supporters at the Capitol
in calling for passage of Timothy's Law at a rally on the Capitol
steps, then meet with your Senator to personally inform them about how
important Timothy's Law is to you. Last year, this was extremely
effective, and lots of fun, and with buses scheduled to arrive from all
over the state (currently planned from Buffalo, Binghamton, Westchester,
New York City, and Long Island, more locations may be added if a need
arises) it is sure to be even more well attended. Learn more about this
rally by visiting </FONT><A
href="http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/mar16rally.pdf"><FONT
color=#0000ff>http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/mar16rally.pdf</FONT></A><FONT
color=#000080> (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this
website).</FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial
color=#000080></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<UL>
<LI><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#000080><STRONG>Help Spread the Word. </STRONG>One of the best
ways you can help pass Timothy's Law is to tell everyone you know about the
bill. The more people who know about this bill, the more likely it is to
pass. Because let's face facts, with 1 in 5 Americans living with mental
illness, odds are, someone in their family would be effected. Learn more
creative, simple, <STRONG>fun</STRONG> ways you can help pass Timothy's Law by
visiting </FONT><A href="http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/helppass.htm"><FONT
color=#0000ff>http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/helppass.htm</FONT></A><FONT
color=#000080>. Be sure to check back to this site often, as there are
always new and exciting ways you can help.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial color=#000080>Finally,
please pass this e-mail on to your friends, colleagues, and
peers. The tool at the bottom of this page will let you forward this
e-mail privately (we collect no information when it is forwarded). By
spreading the word and getting others to become members of Timothy's Team, you
will be helping to further build the movement to pass Timothy's Law.
As always, thanks for all of your hard work.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial
color=#000080></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial
color=#000080><STRONG><U>NEWS LINKS</U></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial
color=#000080></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#000080>Groundhog Day - </FONT><A
href="http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsgroundhog.htm"><FONT
color=#0000ff>http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsgroundhog.htm</FONT></A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial
color=#000080></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#000080>Fighting for Life - </FONT><A
href="http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsfightingforlife.htm"><FONT
color=#0000ff>http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsfightingforlife.htm</FONT></A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial
color=#000080></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#000080>Timothy's Law Awaits Legislature - </FONT><A
href="http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newstlawaitsleg.htm"><FONT
color=#0000ff>http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newstlawaitsleg.htm</FONT></A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial
color=#000080></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial color=#000080>Timothy's Law
Spurs Debate - <A
href="http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsspursdebate.htm">http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsspursdebate.htm</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial
color=#000080></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial color=#000080>Insurance
Should Cover Mental Health - <A
href="http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsshouldcover.htm">http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsshouldcover.htm</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial
color=#000080></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT color=#000080
size=3></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=077044623-24022004><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT color=#000080
size=3>Please note, if you have any questions or comments stemming from
this e-mail message, or would like to help in any way, please contact </FONT><A
href="mailto:bomalley@mhanys.org"><FONT
size=3>bomalley@mhanys.org</FONT></A><FONT color=#000080 size=3>. Replying
to this e-mail will not receive a response.</FONT> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
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