Black and Hispanic Ministers to Kickoff New York’s Parental Choice in Education Campaign

You should know that this Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 4PM, on East 149th Street and Third Avenue in the Bronx, a Coalition of Black and Hispanic Clergy Members will hold a Kickoff Campaign in support of Parental Choice in Education.

Reverend Dr. Johnnie M. Green, Pastor of Mount Neboh Baptist Church of Harlem and Leader of Mobilizing Preachers and Communities, Reverend Patrick Young, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of East Elmhurst, Bishop Orlando Findlayter, of New Hope Christian Church in Brooklyn, and Ministers from the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization will join me for this crucial effort to help our children and to send a message to the Members of the New York State Assembly who are refusing to support this agenda.

The Parental Choice in Education Act is a bold initiative to help provide access to a quality education for thousands of New York’s children. Through the Parental Choice in Education Act, tax breaks will support and protect alternative school options for parents and students across New York State and increase investment in education by encouraging more charitable donations. These donations will benefit all students regardless of what type of school they attend - public, private or religious.

You should also know that this great idea, which needs to become law, is supported by Governor Andrew Cuomo, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, and more than 150 organizations that include labor unions, businesses, religious and community-based organizations throughout New York State.

It is important for you to know that I, in the New York State Senate, represent the 32nd Senatorial District, one of the poorest Senate districts in the State. As a Senator, I have always fought for and will continue to fight for better educational opportunities for our children and families.

My dear reader, you should know that we, the Black and Hispanic Ministers, together are fighting hard for public schools, charter schools and for quality education – and we will continue to fight for the 65,000 children who are currently trapped in failing schools. Too many of our children and their parents have been left, out and we can no longer sit on the sidelines and allow for our children to be denied excellent educational opportunities that other children receive. Our children are depending on us.

That is why the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization and Mobilizing Preachers and Communities, Inc. have come together in order to inform and mobilize our communities through our churches’ members in the City and the State of New York.

We believe that it is important for the New York State Legislature to become aware that our communities are in total support of this educational agenda for our children.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.