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Delegates tackle special orders April 7, 2004 In addition to a full slate of resolutions, delegates to New York State United Teachers' annual convention considered a series of special orders of business on a variety of topics. U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige's recent comments, calling the National Education Association a "terrorist organization," brought delegates together in support of a special order submitted by Ken Kurzweil, president of the Bedford Teachers Association in Westchester County. Kurzweil said he was looking to keep Paige's comments "in the forefront of NYSUT's battle to unseat President Bush in the coming election" and let everyone know the president's "true feelings" about teachers and teacher unions. "Using the word terrorist associated with teachers in our post-9/11 world ... is more than disgraceful," he said. "It's totally unforgivable." Phil Cleary of the North Syracuse Education Association introduced - and delegates approved - a special order directing the union to pursue legislative reform to return to full state funding for the cost to maintain children with disabilities in residential facilities. Alice Conroy of the Farmingdale Federation of Teachers successfully encouraged delegates to approve a special order urging NYSUT's Board of Directors to boost solidarity efforts. "Let's go to Lockport ... to South Huntington ... wherever we are needed to go to get people what they truly deserve," Conroy said. Delegates also approved a special order of business submitted by Judith Wishnia of United University Professions Stony Brook. It offers the union's condolences to the people of Spain, who were victims of terrorist attacks March 11 that killed some 200 people. Delegates honored two union stalwarts: the late Tim Reilly, former UUP president who died in February, and Dan Frasca, who retired in January after a 24-year career overseeing NYSUT's finances. |
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