Assemblywoman Russell helps pass veterans mental health legislation

              Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that the Veterans Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Act, which she supported, passed the Assembly (A.9415).

“We hold our veterans in special regard here in the North Country and it is our duty to do everything we can to help these selfless men and women who have sacrifices to protect our country,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “The after effects of combat can take a devastating toll on our veterans and as a result, many of them return from war with mental health or substance abuse problems. I’m working in the Assembly to get them the assistance they need and deserve.”

Assemblywoman Russell’s bill would call on the New York State Veterans’ Affairs Commission to develop and update an interagency plan to improve outreach, assessment and care for veterans who are experiencing mental health, major depression and/or substance abuse problems, and provide assistance to their families. This bill would also require a progress report to be issued each year.

Combat-related mental illness is a critical issue for veterans, Assemblywoman Russell said. Over 85,000 New Yorkers have participated in Operation Enduring Freedom (War in Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom or both since Sept. 11, 2001. Upon returning home, at least one in three Iraq veterans and one in nine Afghanistan veterans will face mental health issues like depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. Unfortunately, the existing mental health system lacks the capacity to meet the needs of these vets and their families.[1]

            The proposed planning process acknowledges the need to implement services in addition to those provided by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs system, in order to meet the needs of veterans and their families who are either ineligible for these services or choose not to utilize them, Assemblywoman Russell said.

“Many of our military heroes need our help with mental health and chemical dependency issues after serving our country,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This legislation provides support to our veterans and families who call the North Country home.”

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[1] http://iava.org/

Assemblywoman Russell helps pass legislation to criminalize synthetic marijuana

            “The Assembly passed legislation I supported to get man-made marijuana off the streets. No matter how it is labeled or marketed, synthetic marijuana is every bit as dangerous and addictive as other controlled substances and should be regulated in the same way. Manufacturers and vendors should not be able to undermine our laws simply because of a labeling loophole.

            “Synthetic marijuana’s ‘legal’ status led to widespread availability, endangering many of our teens. Though the state Department of Health’s recent ban of its sale was a great start to protecting our community, the consequences of violating the order are not strong enough. This legislation will mean criminal penalties for the sale, distribution and possession of synthetic marijuana that match the threat it poses to our community.”

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Assemblywoman Russell receives Leadership in Education Award from the New York State Association of Small City School Districts

      "I am proud and honored to receive this Leadership in Education Award. I will continue working hard get North Country schools the funding they need to provide a proper education to our children. 

       “I would also like to thank the New York State Association of Small City School Districts for the great work they do across the state, especially their work on behalf of schools that need their resources the most. 

     “I will continue to bring attention to the important need to reform the school aid formula and be the strong voice North Country schools need and deserve.”

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell receives Leadership in Education Award from the New York State Association of Small City School Districts, presented by Terry N. Fralick, Superintendent of Watertown City School District.

Assemblywoman Russell: Don’t forget to Escape to the Cape this Saturday

Come to Recreation Park in beautiful Cape Vincent, NY to experience another ‘Rediscovering Your Backyard’ event.  More than fifty local New York and Ontario businesses will be exhibiting products and services beginning at 10:00am and running until 4:00pm. 

This is event is organized by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, the Town of Cape Vincent, and the Cape Vincent Chamber of Commerce.  Proceeds to benefit the Community Library and Riverside Preschool. 

Statement by Honorable Addie J. Russell, Chair of the Subcommittee on Women Veterans

            On June 12, 2012, I will be holding a luncheon in the Legislative Office Building in Albany to thank our women veterans for their service and acknowledge their sacrifices and their contributions to our country. After the luncheon, we will honor their service on the floor of the Assembly with a resolution. We currently have troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, in addition to tens of thousands more stationed worldwide.  Every day, these soldiers who include women make tremendous sacrifices serving our country. 

            New York State is home to over one million veterans including about 68,000 women veterans.  They are our grandmothers, mothers, daughters, aunts, cousins, co-workers, friends and neighbors, ordinary citizens who have served in extraordinary ways to preserve our freedoms and liberties.

            It is our duty as citizens, not just elected officials, to remember the service of these women, their sacrifices and their commitment to America and its citizens.  We should begin by thanking them for their service and honor them by adopting legislative measures that are meaningful so that they know their service was not in vain and unacknowledged.

            I encourage any woman who has served her country to contact my office so we can add your name to our mailing list and encourage you to attend our luncheon.  Please call my office at

315-786-0284 or 315-386-2037 or email me at russella@assembly.state.ny.us.

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell Announces Construction Grant Awards of nearly $100,000 to 4 North Country Libraries

Watertown, NY - Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell announced that the Hay Memorial Library in Sackets Harbor, the Hepburn Library in Norfolk, the Massena Public Library, and the Ogdensburg Library have been awarded public library construction grant funds.   The Hay Memorial Library will receive $13,624 to improve handicap accessibility and parking lot safety and drainage issues.  Hepburn Library will receive $2,650 to rehabilitate the front steps of the library, the Massena Public Library will receive $29,950 to rehabilitate the chimney and address ventilation and drainage issues, and the Ogdensburg Library will receive $52,710 to rehabilitate the windows of the library to conserve energy.

New York’s public libraries are in urgent need of renovation and upgrading.  A recent survey showed a documented need for public library construction and renovation projects totaling more than $2.53 billion.  More than 40% of the over 1,000 public library buildings in communities across New York are over 60 years old. Another 30% are more than three decades old.  Many of New York’s local public libraries are unable to accommodate users with disabilities, are not energy efficient, cannot provide internet, computer and other electronic technologies and do not have adequate meeting room space.

The grant funds are from $14 million in capital funds for public library construction provided in the 2011 State Budget.  

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