<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>Untitled Document</TITLE>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1458" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>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. </FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT
face=Arial size=2>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. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>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 <A
href="mailto:mseereiter@mhanys.org">mseereiter@mhanys.org</A>. We thank
all of the small businesses who are standing up to the groups who are
misrepresenting their interests.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004></SPAN><SPAN
class=809451715-29112004></SPAN><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>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. </FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>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. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>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 <A
href="mailto:rdeppa_mhaadvocate@yahoo.com">rdeppa_mhaadvocate@yahoo.com</A>.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>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. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>But, again, all of
this comes down to you. We know it. You know it. The
legislators know it.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thank you, and we
hope you enjoy an even happier and healthy holiday
season.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial size=2>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 <A href="mailto:bomalley@mhanys.org">bomalley@mhanys.org</A>.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=809451715-29112004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<FORM name=form1 action=http://www.kilakwa.net/cgi-bin/cgiemail/tt.txt
method=post>
<TABLE width=350 border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD colSpan=2><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><STRONG>Refer A
Friend</STRONG></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Friend's Name: </FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><INPUT id=fname name=fname>
</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Friend's Email: </FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><INPUT id=femail2
name=femail> </FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Your Name: </FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><INPUT id=name2 name=name>
</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Your Email:</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><INPUT id=email2 name=email>
</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV align=right><FONT
face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></FONT></DIV></TD>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><INPUT type=submit value=Submit name=Submit>
</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P></P>
<P></P></FORM>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </P></BODY></HTML>