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Margaret Kelley at 718-773-3100

OWENS URGES ALL PARENTS TO CONTACT THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS

BROOKLYN, NY - A state Appellate Division panel Tuesday, May 3, 2005, refused to overturn a stay in Gov. George Pataki's appeal of a court order giving city schools billions of dollars in additional funding. The court also said it would hear the appeal of State Supreme Court Justice Leland DeGrasse's order in October.

OCTOBER? By continuing this appeal our New York State elected officials are depriving our children of their constitutional right -- the opportunity for a sound basic education. Remember, two years ago this same Appellate Division ruled that the State Constitution only required the State to provide an eighth grade education.

Our children can't wait. Before the ruling of the Appellate Division, Congressman Owens sent on April 19, 2005  "An Open Letter to Governor Pakaki" calling on him to OBEY THE LAW.  Now is the time to call on elected officials to OBEY THE LAW. They cannot drag their feet in handing over the CFE court-ordered funding for education -- $5.6 billion in operating expenses and $9.2 billion for facilities for New York City.

Congressman Owens is sending a letter to all PTAs in the 11th Congressional District to encourage parents to write, call, e-mail and visit their NY State locally elected officials and tell them how they feel.

"We hope that the elected officials will respond positively to a ground swell of letters, phone calls, e-mails and visits from parents. The law clearly states that the responsibility for giving a sound basic education to our children lies with New York State. After legislative deals, which resulted in great inequalities, the court has proclaimed justice. I urge everyone to OBEY THE LAW," Owens stated.

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