Bill text and additional information is available at the following link:
http://nyad25.org/legislation/homelandsecurity.htm

Assemblyman Rory Lancman and State Senator Toby Stavisky welcomed Governor David Paterson's signing of the Non-Profit Homeland Security Preparedness Study Act (A.1247/S.1743). This new law commissions the New York State Office of Homeland Security (OHS) to study and report on the security needs of non-profit institutions facing an increased threat of terrorist attack.

"New York State is home to hundreds, if not thousands, of non-profit cultural, religious and educational institutions which are terrorist targets, but many institutions lack the resources and expertise to adequately protect themselves and those they serve. After the attempted attack in Riverdale, it is all too clear how necessary this legislation really is," said Assemblyman Rory I. Lancman.

"We cannot afford to grow complacent. All levels of government must remain focused on preventing another attack. The Non-Profit Homeland Security Preparedness Study Act will be an important step by New York State to protect its non-profits, which perform important charitable functions and harbor our collective cultural heritage," said Senator Stavisky.

     The Non-Profit Homeland Security Preparedness Study Act was supported by many important New York non-profits including the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, the UJA-Federation, the Museum Association of New York, the Queens Botanical Garden, the National Council of Young Israel, the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Council on the Arts, Queens Museum of Art, the Cultural Institutions Group of New York and the Museum of Natural History.  The Non-Profit Homeland Security Preparedness Study Act will take effect immediately and the OHS' security analysis required by the new law will be due on March 31, 2010.

“New York State is home to hundreds, if not thousands, of non-profit cultural, religious and educational institutions which selflessly serve the public. All of them are potential targets for terrorists. This legislation will effect a careful examination of federal and state resources available to assist those non-profit institutions, and hopefully result in new strategies for improving security and protecting such institutions from terrorist attack.  I implore Governor Paterson to sign this legislation without delay,” said Assemblyman Lancman.

"Lincoln Center faces a specific challenge to maintain an open campus while ensuring that visitors, students, patrons and public spaces remain safe and secure. We recognize that the challenge of providing security is felt by other non-profits in New York State and are thankful for the passage of the Non-Profit Homeland Security Preparedness Study Act, which will allow non-profits to benefit from the expertise of the State Office of Homeland Security," said Reynold Levy, President of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.

"The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York serves as the central coordinating and resource body for community relations issues within the Jewish community in the New York metropolitan area. JCRC is an umbrella organization for more than 60 civic, communal, educational and religious organizations. Security and emergency preparedness are key issues on the JCRC agenda and this legislation brings us one step closer to addressing the diverse security concerns of all New York's communities," said David Pollock, Associate Executive Director for the JCRC-NY.

"UJA-Federation is the major Jewish communal philanthropy in the New York City metropolitan area, supporting a comprehensive network of more than 100 health and human service agencies. In the current economic and security climate it is vital that we are able to focus on our core mission while ensuring that our facilities are safe. We applaud the legislature for passing the Non-Profit Homeland Security Preparedness Study Act, which will help connect groups like ours with the necessary resources and strategies to protect our clients and staff," Ron Soloway, the UJA-Federation's Managing Director for Government and External Relations.

“The Museum Association of New York applauds the passing of this important bill to study the security threats of the state's museum community. Each year, more than 60 million people visit our state's museums and heritage sites to be inspired by the wealth of human creativity and to discover the natural world. As symbols of creative and intellectual expression, invention and innovation, imaginative leadership and triumph of the human spirit, New York's most well-known museums and heritage sites are vulnerable to a range of security threats. This bill will be of immense help in identifying those threats and developing mitigating responses,” said Anne W. Ackerson, Director of the Museum Association of New York.

"The arts and cultural institutions of Queens provide positive outlets and venues of individual and social expression to the most culturally diverse population in the United States. The Queens Botanical Garden welcomes the passage of the Non-Profit Homeland Security Preparedness Study Act, which will ensure that non-profits have the information they need to protect themselves," said Susan Lacerte, Queens Botanical Garden's Executive Director.

"Plots against synagogues have been reported in many cities, including the foiled attack in the Bronx earlier this year.  The Non-Profit Homeland Security Study Act will connect non-profits with state and federal resources and provide religious and cultural groups with strategies for defending themselves. We must secure all our houses of worship. If they can terrorize us in our own synagogues, then there is no place we can feel secure," said Shlomo Mostofsky, President of the National Council of Young Israel.

"We applaud Assemblyman Lancman for sponsoring this legislation. Millions of people visit New York's cultural institutions every year, and this legislation is a significant step forward in assuring that our visitors are safe and our facilities secure," said Dr. Margaret Honey, President and CEO of the New York Hall of Science.

"For artists, the freedom to create works that ultimately enhance the quality of life for all Americans deserves to be protected. We applaud the passage of the non-profit homeland security preparedness act that was championed by assemblyman rory lancman and his fellow legislators," said Hoong Yee Lee Krakauer, Executive Director at Queens Council on the Arts.

"The passage of the Non-Profit Homeland Security Act is an important step in recognizing the crucial role that non-profits of all types play in cementing the unique sense of internationalism that exists in our borough, our city, and our country. This piece of legislation will ensure that the need for safe and secure centers for public discourse and cultural appreciation will not be overlooked. I commend all those who worked to get this initiative to the point it is at today," said Tom Finkelpearl, Executive Director, Queens Museum of Art.

“On behalf of the 34 member of the Cultural Institutions Group of New York City (CIG), I am grateful to the New York State Legislature for the passage of the Nonprofit Homeland Security Preparedness Study Act," which was actively supported by the CIG. With over 18 million visitors annually to our institutions, the CIG has struggled with the costs - especially in the current challenging economy - related to security, visitor and employee safety and maintenance in the post-9/11 environment. This is especially critical in regard to both the rich historical treasures and the living "treasures" that many of our institutions hold, many in landmark buildings. It is our hope that with New York State's support, access to Federal funding will enhance the ability of the CIG, as well as all cultural institutions in New York State, to keep our facilities and our millions of visitors safe,” said Arnold Lehman, Chair of the Cultural institutions Group (CIG) and Director of the Brooklyn Museum.

Jane Carey
Deputy Chief of Staff
Office of Assemblyman Rory I. Lancman
77-40 170th Street
Fresh Meadows, NY 11366
Office: 718-820-0241
Fax: 718-820-0414
Cell: 301-775-9956
jane@nyad25.org
www.nyad25.org

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