Constantine's Circus, Inc.
Becomes 100th Member of
Dignity for All Students Coalition
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 Constantine's Circus, Inc. has joined a growing
coalition of advocacy organizations that are urging the New York State Legislature and Governor
George E. Pataki to pass and enact the Dignity
for All Students Act. The bill is sponsored by
Assembly Education Committee Chairman Stephen Sanders and Senator Tom Duane.
The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that every student may go pursue
his or her educational goals in a school environment conducive to learning
and personal growth, free from harassment, discrimination, exclusion and
violence.Modeled on legislation adopted in California two years ago, this bill would
require the New York State Education Department to initiate a process of
requiring school districts within the state to develop and implement policies
and procedures educating students and school district personnel on the
negative effects of discrimination, harassment and intolerance and
instituting effective measures to prevent and to remedy the effects of
discriminatory conduct, up to and including sanctions. School districts
would have broad latitude to develop and implement policies and procedures
appropriate for their individual educational communities.Our letter apprising the coalition of our support is reproduced below.12 May 2001 Ross Levi, Executive Director Empire State Pride Agenda 90 State Street Albany, New York 12210 Dear Mr. Levi: Constantine's Circus, Inc. was organized in 1997 for the purpose of
combating drug abuse, violence and intolerance. We are of the opinion that
drug abuse and violence in particular are manifestations of a pandemic of
depression in our society. People are either numbing themselves with drugs
and alcohol or lashing out in rage and frustration. It is a public mental
health problem of unprecedented proportions. A significant cause of that
problem is discrimination and intolerance.The officers and directors of the corporation have asked me to convey to
you our desire to be listed as a member of the coalition that is working toward the enactment
of the Dignity for All Students Act. We believe this proposed law will effectively guide school
authorities throughout New York State toward the development and implementation of effective
policies that properly educate students on the negative effects of discrimination and
intolerance.We compliment Empire State Prida Agenda on its leadership in this effort
and look forward to speedy passage and enactment of this historic measure.Yours truly, TERRY O'NEILL President
 Questions? E-mail Us! CONSTANTINE'S CIRCUS, INC. PO Box 7223 Capitol Station Albany, NY 12224-0223 518-465-4413 518-465-3200 FAX |
