Assemblywoman Addie Russell to hold Press Conference on Women's Equality Agenda

Russell to discuss WEA in advance of women's equality advocacy day next Tuesday

Assemblywoman Addie Russell will hold a press conference on Thursday, May 30th, at 4:00pm at her Watertown district office to discuss her support of Women's Equality Act and next week's advocacy events.

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Assemblywoman Russell: We must help veterans who endured sexual trauma during service

          Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) has sponsored legislation to require assistance to veterans who experienced military sexual trauma (MST) during their military service (A.7086). This legislation, which passed the Assembly unanimously last year, has passed out of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Assemblywoman Russell noted how important addressing this issue is, especially in light of continued reports at the national level of arrests of military members or personnel charged with sexual abuse or harassment.

Military sexual trauma refers to sexual assault or harassment that took place during a veteran’s service. This bill would require the Division of Veterans Affairs to devise a plan to provide assistance and benefits for veterans who experience MST while on active duty or during military training. The legislation would also require county and city veterans service agencies to report information on MST.

“MST is an extremely serious issue that threatens the welfare of our courageous men and women in uniform,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Our servicemembers have made great sacrifices to defend our freedom and country, and it is our duty to provide them with a support system upon their return home to help them recover and regain a sense of normalcy.”

Over 85,000 veterans received treatment for injuries or illness sustained as a result of MST in 2012 alone. However, only roughly 26,000 cases of MST were anonymously reported.[1] The disparity between these numbers highlights the gross underreporting of the sexual abuse that our military servicemembers experience, Assemblywoman Russell noted.

“As the chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Women Veterans and a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the well-being of our veterans is a top priority of mine,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This legislation is another critical step toward providing these brave men and women who have sacrificed so much the help they need to transition back into civilian life. I urge members of the Senate to join us in support of this bill; we owe it to our servicemen and women to get this law in place.”

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[1] www.mpnnow.com/topstories/x1910059038/More-veterans-need-help-following-military-sexual-trauma

Assemblywoman Addie Russell calls for Lopez expulsion

         “Based on the information revealed in the NYS Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) report, I believe that a vote to expel Mr. Lopez is imperative and cannot come soon enough. The hostile work environment and reprehensible behavior described in the report are absolutely unacceptable.

“There must be zero tolerance for sexual harassment in the workplace. Mr. Lopez’s disgraceful actions have violated the public’s trust and he is no longer fit to remain in office.”

Assemblywoman Addie Russell to receive distinguished alumna award from the University of Albany's Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy

She will be honored alongside Secretary of the Army John McHugh

Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa) will be honored on Friday evening May 17^th in Albany at the Annual Alumni Dinner and Awards Ceremony of the University of Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.  She will be receiving the Distinguished Alumna in Political Science Award. 

“I am honored and humbled to be recognized by the college.  I feel the education I received from our state’s leading public university is a reward in itself.  It prepared me to be a successful professional, and allowed me to return to the North Country ready to contribute to our community and the state.”

Also that evening, another North Country resident, the Honorable John McHugh, Secretary of the Army, will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the College.

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Assemblywoman Russell announces she will speak at Ogdensburg stop of statewide listening tour on mental health

The Office of Mental Health will host the event at the 

St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in Ogdensburg on May 15^th

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced today that she will be speaking at the state’s Office of Mental Health (OMH) listening tour in Ogdensburg next week. While no decisions have been announced in relation to OMH facility closures, the Assemblywoman feels it is extremely important for the community to tell its story and fight to keep psychiatric services local. Department officials will be in Ogdensburg on May 15^th to receive community input on the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center.

The governor’s proposed 2013-14 Executive Budget included language that would allow OMH the flexibility to institute a full-scale remodel of the state system and give the governor unilateral power to close psychiatric facilities with only a 75-day notification period for hospital closures and a 45-day notification period for ward or bed closures. The legislature rejected the proposal in favor of the existing law that requires a 12-month notification process, which was preserved in the final budget. OMH had planned the listening tour prior to the outcome of the final budget.

“While we were able to push back on immediate closures in the budget process, it is clear that efforts will continue at OMH to change the current service model,” Assemblywoman Russell warned. “We need to be proactive and let them know that this facility is very important. Turnout at the event is vital – officials from OMH need to hear from everyone with information that will demonstrate that moving these very vital services out of the area would be detrimental to the community and entire region served by the center, including Fort Drum.”

Assemblywoman Russell said that she has had several meetings with officials representing staff, community leaders and mental health advocates. There are also efforts underway to help the facility reduce its operating costs before closures or service reductions are made.

“I recognize the fact that our state budget continues to be tight, but we have other options to find savings for the state – options that can also provide ancillary jobs,” Russell noted. 

The St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center was right-sized in the era of deinstitutionalization. The center now supports a large number of patients residing in the community. It is imperative that the state keeps its commitment to provide the quality services and support these patients need. The St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center has the reputation of being a model hospital, providing some of the best care in the state.

“I will focus on making the point that you do not need to fix a hospital and outpatient program that is a tremendous success,” Russell stated. “Yes, we can work to find savings with OMH, but if the facility is not failing in its service, it would be a mistake to dismantle it.”

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