THE BRIDGE MISSION TO ALBANY LOBBY DAY FIGHTING FOR SCHOOL TUITION TAX CREDITS AND PASSAGE OF "THE CHILD VICTIM ACT"

APRIL 22.2015

Dozens of volunteers from the Bridge Multicultural Project joined hundreds of advocates on lobby day in Albany on April 22, 2015. Joining the advocates were various elected representatives, which included Assemblypersons,Margaret Markey, Rodneyse Bichotte, Helene Weinstein, Stephen Cymbowitz, Dov Hikind,Joseph Lentol and State Senators Brad Hoylman, and Kevin Parker.  Our mission in Albany was to promote tax credit initiatives to private and parochial schools.  These schools educate over 2 million children in New York City alone and are facing a deepening crisis with the steady increase of tuition. A tax credit would greatly help the parents of these students by bringing fairness and financial relief due to the increasing cost of education.

During the past six years, we have strongly advocated for “The Child Victims Act” (A2872), which would increase the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse.  We stand shoulder to shoulder with Assemblywoman Markey, who is leading the fight in New York State to increase the statute of limitations.  We also welcomed State Senator Brad Hoylman, who is the prime sponsor of THE CHILD VICTIMS ACT in the New York State Senate.

We were joined by USA Speed skating champion Bridie Farrell, Kevin Thomas Mullhearn Esq, who has recently represented victims from Yeshiva University, Prevent Child Abuse New York, Catholics Coalition of Conscious Faithful NY, Dignity/NY, Horace Mann Action Coalition, and our own Mark Meyer Appel Founder  of The Voice of Justice, as well as two brave survivors, Vanessa DeRosa, and Tino Flores.

Mark Meyer Appel founder of THE BRIDGE in his remarks at the press conference, equated the problem of child abuse with victims of terror all over the world.  “New York State has the weakest laws in the United States in the area of Child Abuse.”  “2015,” proclaimed Appel, “is our year and we must continue to fight for the passage of this historic bill, introduced by Assemblywoman Margaret Markey.” 

ANYA SHIPILOVSKAY,IZZY KUPPFERSTEIN,DAVID SPIR,,ARON GRUNSTEIN,DORINDA BAGWELL-ANGELLUCCI,,ASSEMBLYWOMAN HELENE WEINSTEIN,MARK MEYER APPEL,ASSEMBLYWOMAN RODYNESE BICHOTTE.BILL TINGLING

Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, escorted the Bridge volunteers into the New York State Assembly Chamber, where we were warmly received and acknowledged by the entire New York State Assembly.

New York State currently ranks among the very worst of all states in America in how it deals with victims of child sexual abuse crimes, right at the bottom of all 50 states along with Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Indiana, according to a survey by the Cardozo Law School. Under current law victims in New York must come forward to bring criminal or civil charges within five years of their 18^th birthday or lose the opportunity to ever bring charges against their abuser. Many other states either have no or extended statute of limitations, including California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Delaware and Connecticut.