Gotham Avenue School students recently had a whirlwind tour of Albany where they met state leaders, members of the press and were introduced to the entire state assembly in a program sponsored by Assemblyman Tom Alfano. The school leaders selected took part in a televised town hall meeting which included state government commissioners and a question and answer period that encouraged a free flow of debate on issues.

Joining Assemblyman Alfano in the forum was former surgeon general and New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Antonia Novello and Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner John Johnson.

The students also observed a live radio show in the State Capitol. After the airing, students got to turn the tables on a Capitol reporter and ask him questions.

The town hall meeting covered subjects like gang violence, teen smoking, health care for young people and making Elmont and our state a better place to live. "This was a fabulous program," said Assemblyman Alfano adding "the speeches by Dr. Novello and Commissioner Johnson were fantastic and meant a lot to the students."

The town hall meeting started with a question and answer period about how state government works. The group then learned how the State Assembly functions and how bills are voted on. The group then went onto the floor of the Assembly where they observed how the electronic voting system operates.

During the legislative session, Assemblyman Alfano introduced the group to the Assembly body where they were greeted by Speaker Pro-Tem Elizabeth Connelly. The Gotham Avenue School group was then given the privileges of the State Assembly by the Assembly Speaker.

The students were joined on the trip by Gotham Avenue assistant Principal Dennis Cowan, 6th grade teacher Michael Variale, 5th grade teacher Tom Mills and Judy Rocco.

Health Commissioner Dr. Antonia Novello, who served as surgeon general under President Bush, said "nothing is more important than the health and welfare of New York's youth. I want to thank Assemblyman Alfano for inviting me to his town hall meeting, where I was able to talk directly to the teachers and students of Gotham Avenue School about their health and the health care initiatives of Governor Pataki. I want to thank the students for coming to Albany and I want them to know that I had a terrific time talking to them."

Dennis Cowan, assistant principal of Gotham Avenue School noted "It was truly an exciting, educational and informative day for our students. The expressions on their faces during our trip home can attest to this. As an educator for 27 years, I have never met an elected official who is more concerned with his constituency than Assemblyman Alfano."

New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner John A. Johnson said "It was truly refreshing and an honor for me to spend time with such a bright, handsome and dignified group of kids. I want to thank Assemblyman Alfano and the Gotham Avenue teachers who came along for taking the initiative to help these young people realize that they have a voice in our government, and they should use that voice."

Mike Variale, a sixth grade teacher at Gotham added "the trip to the Capitol provided a great opportunity for our students. Our government officials reinforced to the students that education is the key to success. I want to thank Assemblyman Alfano, Dr. Novello and Commissioner Johnson for their time and generosity."

Tom Mills, a fifth grade teacher at Gotham noted "the trip to Albany by the students of Gotham Avenue School was an excellent opportunity for them to learn about the inner workings of government. Dr. Novello, Commissioner Johnson and Assemblyman Alfano's generosity was very much appreciated."

Assemblyman Alfano concluded by saying "Gotham Avenue School is a very special place where I have made a lot of friends not only in the student body but in the PTA and faculty - they are friendships that will last a lifetime."