Senator Kemp Hannon is on the executive committee of a newly formed Senate Majority Task Force on Children's Health and Safety to expand and build on the Senate's efforts to strengthen New York's child protection laws. The panel will hold a series of public hearings to examine the state's existing child protection system, identify threats that jeopardize a child's health and safety and make recommendations that focus on what can be done to better protect children and make them less vulnerable.

In addition, the Senate recently acted on the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Act of 2004, which amends more than 40 laws to protect children from sexual predators. The legislation is based on recommendations contained in a Senate report issued last year entitled: Child Pornography, Prostitution and Predators: Has the Internet Placed Our Children At Risk?

"Ensuring the health and well-being of our children is one of our most important responsibilities," Hannon said. "If we can do a better job of protecting our children from harm and providing caregivers with better resources and training, we can prevent a great deal of the child abuse and neglect cases that wind up in our courts. The Senate is already acting on bills to strengthen penalties for criminals who prey on children; and this task force will focus on prevention and will work quickly to make its recommendations so we can act on them this session."

The Senate has already passed legislation (S.1021) that would extend the statute of limitations to prosecute sex crimes against children from five years to 15 years, after the victim has reached age 18.

"Every day, there are sex offenders rejoicing that they 'escaped' prosecution for the horrific crimes they committed against children," he said. "The damage they inflict lasts a lifetime and it is unconscionable to limit their accountability to a five-year statute of limitations. With new DNA technology, there is absolutely no reason that these predators should benefit from this outdated and arbitrary period. As repeatedly recognized by the Senate, this legislation is a positive first step that will help remove this impervious barrier to justice."

Senator Kemp Hannon invites local residents to nominate friends, co-workers and neighborhood leaders whose outstanding work on behalf of our communities makes them deserving of special recognition by the state Senate as a New York "Woman of Distinction."

The Senate will honor distinguished women from the area and throughout the state at a May 23 Albany reception, where each honoree's photograph and biography will become part of a special exhibit proclaiming the special contributions of exemplary New York women.

"There are remarkable women in our midst whose lives, work or special accomplishments contribute to making our communities better, making our families stronger and serve as special examples to others," Hannon said. "The Senate's 'Woman of Distinction' program provides a special opportunity to honor these women for their achievements and to thank them for the special pride they bring to our communities."

Previous winners in the annual event have included leading women from the worlds of business, academics and civic life, as well as those who have performed heroic or selfless acts, made significant discoveries or provided examples of personal excellence against difficult odds.

Women who live in the Sixth Senate District, which includes all of Garden City, Levittown, Island Trees, Plainedge, North Massapequa, Old Bethpage, Hempstead and Uniondale and parts of Bethpage, East Meadow, Farmingdale, Franklin Square, Massapequa, North Bellmore, Plainview, Seaford, Wantagh, West Hempstead and Westbury are eligible to be considered as a "Woman of Distinction."

Written nominations explaining why a particular person is deserving of the "Woman of Distinction" honor must be submitted by Friday, April 9, to Senator Hannon's office at 224 Seventh St., Garden City, NY 11530. For more information, call 739-1700.