Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. last week kicked off his sixth annual "Extend the Holidays" toy drive for children spending the holidays in the hospital. New unwrapped toys can be delivered to Senator Fuschillo's office in Room 305 at 30 South Ocean Avenue in Freeport. The age range for the donated toys should be from infant to early teen.

"Continuing this toy drive every year is an important holiday tradition. It enables us to put some smiles on the faces of children spending the holidays in the hospital," said Fuschillo. "Thanks to the continued generosity of residents and organizations on Long Island, we have been able to bring some joy to an unfair situation. I am confident that this year will be even more of a success than years past."

Fuschillo's "Extend the Holidays" toy drive is now a unique tradition in its sixth year. By delivering the toys to the children after the holiday season, he allows them to enjoy a little extra seasonal cheer. "It's never fun for a child to be in the hospital, so by extending the season it cheers them up and helps them cope," Fuschillo said.

Senator Fuschillo announced that as of Nov. 1, the law known as "Penny's Law" is in effect. The new law, which Fuschillo co-sponsored in the New York State Senate, alters the sentencing guidelines for 14 or 15-year-old juveniles to ensure that those convicted of heinous acts of violence are sentenced in relation to their crime.

"Penny's Law" raises the minimum sentence for a 14 or 15-year-old juvenile convicted of second degree murder from five years to seven and a half years. It also raises the maximum sentence from nine years to a level of 15 years.

The new sentencing structure was enacted in the memory of Penny Brown, a mother in upstate New York, who was raped and murdered by a 15-year-old while she was jogging on Mother's Day. Brown's convicted killer was tried as an adult in the case but, due to sentencing restrictions, could only be sentenced as a juvenile. He received only nine years for the rape and murder of Penny Brown. If the crime had been committed when the juvenile turned 16, only two months later, Penny Brown's murdered would have received the maximum of 25 years in prison as an adult.

The new sentencing structure is a compromise between the previous laws for juveniles and the current laws governing adult offenders. It is reflective of the violent nature of the crime committed and on the reckless disregard for others displayed by those convicted.

"If someone is old enough to commit the crime of rape and murder, they are old enough to serve the jail time," stated Fuschillo. "New York State cannot, and will not, allow another victim's family to suffer twice. These new laws will make certain that those who commit violent crimes are held accountable."