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You're a Parent Notification ActWe've had the Family Rights Act at the site for review, http://www.AKidsRight.Org/approach.htm As many of you who have contacted legislators know -- it is a big step. It would fully recognize and protect the basic Civil/Human Right we all have to be parents to our own children, and for our children to have BOTH parents in their lives. Right now, even many parents don't think in terms of Civil Rights -- what can we expect of legislators? Perhaps the introduction of a Law (even at the State level), that directly addresses the concept of equality in parenting might help. What better place to start than at birth? John Murtari, Group Coordinator,
has been involved in discussion with his member of the State Legislature (New
York), Assemblyman Robert Oaks
(click for his website). You can read a complete history
below. John has spoken with him in
person several times and also members of his staff. They are all very nice
people, but right now he feels there
Obviously, in almost all cases a mother knows that she is going to be parent and this Act hopes to bring equality to fathers; however, as science advances we may soon find the ability to take an 'egg' and bring it to term -- and perhaps ignore the biological mother. But remember, our group goal is to ensure we are all considered Fit & Equal parents. The discussion of this Act would help not only Fathers, but Mothers, and also those who have suffered from false child abuse allegations. Why? It will get people thinking about Family Rights and how those rights should be recognized and protected. Your further FEEDBACK is welcome. None of the Act is 'proprietary' -- anyone is welcome to modify it and use it within your state. Recent History (most current info at top):February 13, 2009 & Feb 17th - Group coordinator, John Murtari, decided to walk inside the new County Court House in Lyons. Security staff was polite and John quietly walked around for an hour before leaving. He held a small placard with pictures of parents and children. The message, "Mr. Oaks, Help Us!" (photo above). February 10, 2009 - John took a 'walk' inside the historic Court House in Lyons (now used mostly for County offices and meetings). For two hours he walked in the hallway of the building holding a small placard with pictures of parents and children. Feb 4-9, 2009 - John changed his location to downtown Lyons and outside the County Court House. Please contact John if you wish to participate and join in the effort. January 27, 2009 - At 2pm, John Murtari walked to Assemblyman Oaks' office to publicly promote the "You're a Parent Notification Act." He walked outside the offices for about two hours (lucky it was a sunny day, temperature in the mid 20s). One of the staff members did come out and told John he was welcome to come into the building to warm up. Weather permitting, John plans on returning each day at 2pm for a similar two hour vigil. January 9, 2009 - John Murtari, group
coordinator, sends another letter to NY State
Assemblyman Robert Oaks. Final planning is done and a start date of Jan 27
(rescheduled from Jan 20 because of inauguration)
is set.
Please contact John if you wish to participate. April 4-5 2007 - The resolution is considered in the Rules & Legislative Committee and also the Social Services Committee of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors.. There is quite a difference in how it is received and handled by the two committee chairmans, John writes Mr. Hoffman again a few days later to express some concerns and asks for the opportunity to address the full Board well before any final vote. This is denied and no vote occurs. Mar 12, 2007 - To increase public knowledge of this basic Civil Right, John wrote a letter to Mr. James Hoffman, Chairman of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors. This is a small rural county in upstate New York where John resides in Lyons. There is no county legislature, each of the elected Town Supervisors also server on the County Board. The resolution is much simpler at this level, it just asks for State and Federal Legislators to draft such legislation. Feb 2007 - John meets personally with Assemblyman Oaks at one of his public 'office hours'. There was concern about potential opposition to such a bill and they discussed different approaches and concepts involved with the bill. The meeting lasted almost an hour and the Assemblyman told John he would be able to follow up on the bill more after the State Budget was passed. Jan 3/8, 2007 - John follows up again with the Lyon's staff of Assemblyman Oaks to find out what progress is being made. He is told they are checking. It appears the Assemblyman does not have a position on the bill. John is trying to arrange an appointment at his local office. May 15, 2006 - Another letter is written to Assemblyman Robert Oaks regarding the need for the act and a hope it will be acted on quickly. We are told that the wording of the bill is reviewed by legal staff used by the Assembly to review bills for any legal obstacles. May 11,2006 - After speaking with the Assemblyman and some aids a DRAFT of the bill wording and a sponsors memo is sent to Assemblyman Oaks. It is late in the session and this bill does introduce new concepts, but we hope discussion can begin now. |
