FEBRUARY 29, 2008

LEGISLATOR REYNOLDS ANNOUNCES UNANIMOUS ACTION TO PROTECT, ASSIST CHILDREN AND VETERANS OF ERIE COUNTY

The Erie County Legislature voted unanimously at its February 21 session to pass the resolution entitled Combating the Exploitation of Children in the Internet Age.

"The molestation and sexual exploitation of children is a public health issue, and as publicly elected officials, it is our moral duty to protect this community's greatest asset and future – our children," County Legislator Robert B. Reynolds Jr. (D-Hamburg, Evans) said. "In this technological age, we must do everything in our power to address it and protect innocent lives."

As a result of this resolution, Erie County supports New York State Senate Bill Number S6747, which enacts the child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention act.

The County Legislature also announced a victory for local veterans – the Legislature voted 15-0 in favor of a local law that restores the Veterans' Office as a stand-alone department. In 2005, under much scrutiny, the Giambra administration consolidated the Veterans' Office along with other offices to form the Erie County Office of Public Advocacy.

"Restoring this office to a stand-alone agency will assist our veterans so that they may receive the benefits they rightly deserve," Legislator Whyte said. "In this difficult time of war, we owe them nothing less. As a representative of present and previous active duty, reserve and National Guard military personnel, I hope that they will be proud and supportive of this action."

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