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BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Before Rosa Parks, There Was Lizzie Jennings Print E-mail
Written by William Joseph Reynolds for ustownhall.com and Scott Katz   
Monday, 08 February 2010 20:02

Americans are all familiar with the story of Rosa Parks, who, on Thursday, December 1, 1955, refused to yield her seat on a bus to a white passenger.  Similar acts of civil disobedience had taken place prior to that including Irene Morgan in 1944, Sarah Louise Keys in 1953, and young Claudette Colvin earlier in 1955 on the very same bus system as Rosa Parks.

But, did you know that a full century before Rosa Parks' courageous stand, another black woman took a similar stand when she was ejected from a privately owned streetcar in downtown Manhattan on the corner of Pearl and Chatham streets?  Elizabeth "Lizzie" Jennings brought a civil suit against the streetcar company and was represented by a future president.  Her attorney successfully argued the case that was the beginning of the desegregation of public transportation in New York City. 
Last Updated on Friday, 05 March 2010 05:31
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Understanding New York State Government PDF Print E-mail
Written by US Townhall staff   
Thursday, 03 December 2009 00:29

Law-making power in New York State is held in two distinct bodies of government: the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, which somewhat mirror the construction of the United States Federal Government where legislative power lies with the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives.  The meeting place of the New York State government is in Albany at the New York State Capitol building, which is located on State Street in Capitol Park.

 

New York State Capitol Building in Albany, NY (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

 

In New York State, elections for both bodies of state government are held in November of every even-numbered year.  Both State Senators and Assembly members are up for reelection after each two-year term.  To qualify to hold office in the New York State legislature, one must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of New York State for at least five years, and a resident of the district one wishes to represent for at least one year prior to election.  There are no term limits for members of either the State Senate or the State Assembly.

 

The New York State Assembly has 150 members, while the membership of the New York State Senate varies, but currently has 62 members.  In general, the New York State Senate has been controlled by the Republicans, while the NYS Assembly has historically been controlled by the Democrats.  Currently, however, the New York State Senate is also in the hands of the Democrats with 32 of the 62 seats. 

 

The leader of the State Senate is referred to as the "President" (of the Senate); the leader of the State Assembly is known as the "Speaker."  In much the same way as the Vice President of the United States also holds the position of President of the Senate, the Lieutenant Governor of New York is also the President of the New York State Senate.  In both cases, the President of the Senate has the tie-breaking vote, but does not vote otherwise.  On a day-to-day basis, the New York State Senate is typically presided over by a Temporary President or by a Senator chosen by the majority leader.

 

The Assembly Speaker, the Senate Majority leader, and the Governor of New York are the three most powerful leaders in New York State and together they control most of the agenda of state business. 

 

Just as the United States Congress creates bills that the President signs into law, laws in New York State are created as bills from the State Senate and the State Assembly and go to the Governor for signing into law or for veto.  To override a gubernatorial veto, there must be a two-thirds majority to override in each house.  The Assembly and Senate also have the power to propose amendments to the New York State Constitution, which would become valid if voted for by a majority of New Yorkers at a referendum ballot measure.

 

NEW YORK STATE SENATE as of JANUARY 1, 2010
District Name PartyElected Contact Info 
 1 Kenneth LaValle  Republican  1976 

Phone:
(631) 696-6900
(518) 455-3121


Email:
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 2  John J. Flanagan Republican  2002 

Phone:
(631) 361-2154
(518) 455-2071


Email:
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 3 Brian X. Foley  Democrat  2008 

Phone:
(631) 360-3356
(518) 455-2303


Email:
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 4 Owen H. Johnson  Republican  1972 

Phone:
(631) 669-9200
(518) 455-3411


Email:
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 5 Carl Marcellino  Republican  1995 

Phone:
(516) 922-1811
(518) 455-2390


Email:
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 6 Kemp Hannon  Republican  1989 

Phone:
(516) 739-1700
(518) 455-2200


Email:
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 7 Craig Johnson  Democrat  2007 

Phone:
(516) 746-5923
(518) 455-2622


Email:
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 8 Charles Fuschillo Republican  1989 

Phone:
(516) 882-0630
(518) 455-3341


Email:
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 9 Dean Skelos Republican  1984 

Phone:
(516) 766-8383
(518) 455-3171


Email:
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 10 Shirley Huntley Democrat  2006 

Phone:
(718) 523-3069
(518) 455-3531


Email:
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 11 Frank Padavan Republican  1972 

Phone:
(718) 343-0255
(518) 455-3381


Email:
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 12 George Onarato Democrat  1983 

Phone:
(718) 545-9706
(518) 455-3486


Email:
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 13

 Jose Peralta

(won a special election on March 16, 2010)

 Democrat  2010   
 14 Malcom Smith Democrat 2000 

Phone:
(718) 528-4290
(518) 455-2701


Email:
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 15 Joseph Addabbo, Jr. Democrat 2008

Phone:
(718) 738-1111
(518) 455-2322

Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 16 Toby Ann Stavisky  Democrat  1999 

Phone:
(718) 445-0004
(518) 455-3461


Email:
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 17 Martin Malave Dilan  Democrat  2002 

Phone:
(718) 573-1726
(518) 455-2177


Email:
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 18 Velmanette Montgomery  Democrat  1984 

Phone:
(718) 643-6140
(518) 455-3451


Email:
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 19 John Sampson  Democrat  1996 

Phone:
(718) 649-7653
(518) 455-2788


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 20 Eric Adams Democrat  2006 

Phone:
(718) 284-4700
(518) 455-2431


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 21 Kevin Parker  Democrat  2002 

Phone:
(718) 629-6401
(518) 455-2580


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 22 Martin Golden Republican  2002 

Phone:
(718) 238-6044
(518) 455-2730


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 23 Diane Savino  Democrat  2004 

Phone:
(718) 727-9406
(518) 455-2437


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 24 Andrew Lanza  Republican  2006 

Phone:
(718) 984-4073
(518) 455-3215


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 25 Dan Squadron  Democrat  2008 

Phone:
(212) 298-5565
(518) 455-2625


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 26 Liz Krueger  Democrat  2002 

Phone:
(212) 490-9535
(518) 455-2297


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 27 Carl Kruger  Democrat  1994 

Phone:
(718) 743-8610
(518) 455-2460


Email:
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 28 José M. Serrano  Democrat  2004 

Phone:
(212) 828-5829
(518) 455-2795


Email:
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 29 Thomas Duane  Democrat  1998 

Phone:
(212) 633-8052
(518) 455-2451


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 30 Bill Perkins  Democrat  2006 

Phone:
(212) 222-7315
(518) 455-2441


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 31 Eric Schneiderman  Democrat  1998 

Phone:
(212) 544-0173
(518) 455-2041


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 32 Rubén Díaz  Democrat  2002 

Phone:
(718) 991-3161
(518) 455-2511


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 33 Pedro Espada  Democrat  2008 

Phone:
(718) 652-4329
(518) 455-3395


Email:
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 34 Jeffrey Klein  Democrat  2004 

Phone:
(718) 822-2049
(518) 455-3595
(800) 718-2039


Email:
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 35 Andrea Stewart-Cousins  Democrat  2006 

Phone:
(914) 423-4031
(518) 455-2585


Email:
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 36 Ruth Hassell-Thompson  Democrat  2000 

Phone:
(718) 547-8854
(518) 455-2061


Email:
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 37 Suzi Oppenheimer  Democrat  1984 

Phone:
(914) 934-5250
(518) 455-2031


Email:
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 38 Thomas Morahan  Republican  1989 

Phone:
(845) 425-1818
(518) 455-3261


Email:
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 39 Bill Larkin  Republican  1990 

Phone:
(845) 567-1270
(518) 455-2770


Email:
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 40 Vincent Leibell  Republican  1994 

Phone:
(845) 279-3773
(518) 455-3111


Email:
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 41 Stephen Saland  Republican  1990 

Phone:
(845) 463-0840
(518) 455-2411


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 42 John Bonacic  Republican  1998 

Phone:
(845) 344 3311
(518) 455-3181


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 43 Roy McDonald  Republican  2008 

Phone:
(518) 274-4616
(518) 455-2381


Email:
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 44 Hugh Farley  Republican  1976 

Phone:
(518) 843-2188
(518) 762-3733
(518) 455-2181


Email:
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 45 Betty Little  Republican  2002 

Phone:
(518) 743-0968
(518) 455-2811


Email:
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 46 Neil Breslin  Democrat  1996 

Phone:
(518) 455-2225


Email:
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 47 Joseph Griffo  Republican  2006 

Phone:
(315) 793-9072
(518) 455-3334


Email:
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 48 Darrel Aubertine Democrat 2008

Phone:
(315) 782-3418
(315) 312-3106
(518) 455-2761


Email:
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 49 David Valesky Democrat 2004 

Phone:
(315) 478-8745
(518) 455-2838


Email:
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 50 John DeFrancisco  Republican  1992 

Phone:
(315) 428-7632
(518) 455-3511


Email:
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 51 James Seward  Republican  1986 

Phone:
(607) 432-5524
(518) 455-3131


Email:
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 52 Thomas W. Libous  Republican  1988 

Phone:
(607) 773-8771
(607) 687-3399
(607) 336-3401
(518) 455-2677


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 53 George H. Winner, Jr.  Republican  2004 

Phone:
(607) 732-2765
(607) 776-3201
(518) 455-2091


Email:
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 54 Michael Nozzolio  Republican  1992 

Phone:
(315) 568-9816
(518) 455-2366


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 55 James Alesi  Republican  1996 

Phone:
(585) 223-1800
(518) 455-2015


Email:
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 56 Joseph Robach  Republican  2002 

Phone:
(585) 225-3650
(518) 455-2909


Email:
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 57 Catharine Young  Republican  2005 

Phone:
(716) 372-4901
(716) 664-4603
(800) 707-0058
(518) 455-3563


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 58 William Stachowski  Democrat  1981 

Phone:
(716)-826-3344
(518) 455-2426


Email:
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 59 Dale Volker  Republican  1975 

Phone:
(716) 656-8544
(585) 786-5048
(518) 455-3471


Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 60 Antoine Thompson  Democrat  2006 

Phone:
(716) 854-8705
(716) 284-5789
(518) 455-3371


Email:
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 61 Michael Ranzenhofer  Republican  2008 

Phone:
(716) 631-8695
(518) 455-3161


Email:
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 62 George D. Maziarz  Republican  1995 

Phone:
(716) 731-8740
(585) 637-5800
(518) 455-2024


Email:
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 March 2010 02:11