The Remarks Of Speaker Sheldon Silver

SEIU Local 200 United Lobby Day

Well Of The L.O.B., Albany, NY
Monday, March 20, 2006

Allow me to extend to you my personal welcome as well as the greetings of the Assembly Majority. Thank you for coming to Albany to speak up for all of your colleagues who could not be here to speak for themselves. As your partners in state government, we are extremely grateful for your presence here today.

Call me biased, but I believe that we have an excellent team of leaders working for you in the State Assembly:

• Assembly Member Peter Rivera, the Chair of our Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities;

• Assembly Member Susan John, the Chair of our Committee on Labor;

• Assembly Member Kevin Cahill, the Chair of our Committee on Ethics and Guidance, and the former Chair of the Task Force on People with Disabilities;

• And Assembly Member Amy Paulin, the current Chair of our Task Force on People with Disabilities.

When it comes to leadership in this State, we can't say enough good things about the SEIU, and particularly Local 200 United's own Jerry Dennis

It's no secret that the Assembly Majority and New York's labor movement have long been partners in improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

Politics aside, let me take this opportunity to express my respect and my admiration for you and for all who take on the responsibility of nurturing and protecting individuals with emotional disturbances, developmental disabilities or mental illnesses.

You've already heard from Assembly Members Kevin Cahill, Peter Rivera and Susan John, as well as Senator Bruno and his team.

It appears that finally, this is the year when the State of New York acknowledges the value of our mental hygiene workers and begins to ensure you a level of compensation befitting the difficult work that you do every single day.

That does not mean that you should assume anything, so use this, your lobby day, to tell your story. Make your voices heard, and by all means, keep up the pressure.

Our mental hygiene workers have been overlooked and under paid for too long.

For your well-being and for the sake of the men, women and children who rely on your care and guidance, together, let's make sure that the promises you've heard today are promises that are honored tomorrow.

Thank you, again, for coming. Make the most of your day here in Albany.