Assemblyman Tom Alfano applauded State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli for his announcement that the New York State Common Retirement Fund will begin a series of steps to increase pressure on the Sudanese government to end the genocide in Darfur. Alfano has been involved with the issue for well over a year beginning with his passing of a state resolution calling for the United Nations to stop the genocide in Darfur and his co-sponsorship of several pieces of legislation calling for divestment in the Sudan.

"The genocide in Darfur is a worldwide tragedy that continues and does not receive the attention it demands," said Alfano. "The horrors in Darfur of rape, murder and terror must end and end now. These are crimes against humanity and justice must be done."

"The genocide in Darfur is a challenge to our collective capacity to do good," said DiNapoli. "As citizens we can neither be blind to the callous destruction of human life nor silent in its face. We will not take any half steps, and we will not turn back. This is genocide. There can be no half steps."

Alfano passed a resolution in the assembly that called for immediate action by the UN to intervene in the genocide in Darfur. That resolution was written in concert with Elmont's Model UN program in the elementary schools and led to a Sewanhaka Central High School Model UN protest march. The march attracted over 1,000 students and community members in bringing awareness of the genocide in Darfur. The march down Meacham Avenue and Dutch Broadway was one of the largest protest marches in memory. Assemblyman Alfano was the keynote speaker and honorary marcher with Sewanhaka Central High School District Superintendent Warren Meirdiercks, Sewanhaka Central High School District Model UN coordinator Lee Markus and Elmont Board of Education members Aubrey Phillips, Elsy Guibert and Pamela Byer. Students from Elmont Memorial High School, H. Frank Carey High School, Sewanhaka High School, Floral Park Memorial High School and New Hyde Park Memorial High School participated in the event.

The protest rally after the march took place at Elmont Memorial High School. Students gave speeches, performed dances and shared personal reflections on the plight of the people of Darfur. Alfano gave the keynote address demanding UN action and worldwide attention to the genocide. "That collective effort helped lead us to where we are today," said Alfano.

The actions to be taken by the New York State retirement fund were developed in collaboration with members of the state legislature and the Sudan Divestment Task Force.

Assembly Speaker Silver said, "With the Sudanese government's continuing refusal to accept a United Nations solution, it is imperative that this state and all states bring our economic leverage to bear on the Sudan in order to end this crisis once and for all."

"Comptroller DiNapoli's actions speak volumes for our state and our community. I'm very proud to stand with him in an effort to end this world tragedy in Darfur. We take significant steps to put real economic pressure on businesses working with the Sudan and demand that the violence and murder end," said Alfano.

The new actions supported by Assemblyman Alfano and initiated by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli will be implemented in three phases:

1. Extensive research to identify companies the fund has invested in that might be engaging in objectionable practices in the Sudan. All managers of funds must research their holdings and report to the comptroller and initiate Sudan-free investments.

2. Actively engage those companies identified through the fund's research and encourage them to withdraw from Sudan or to begin taking substantial action aimed at providing carefully constructed humanitarian aid and relief for the Sudanese people.

3. The State Comptroller will develop strategies of divestiture from those companies that he determines have failed to take substantial action, if following a process of due diligence he determines that is consistent with his fiduciary responsibilities.