At a statewide press conference covered by major mass media and attended by state senators, the NAACP, Assemblymembers and members of the clergy, Assemblyman Tom Alfano and Deputy Assembly Speaker Arthur O. Eve announced the introduction of a joint bill to create a public holiday for Harriet Ross Tubman in New York State. Additionally, numerous organizations submitted petitions to the legislators totaling over 70,000 signatures in support of the holiday.

Harriet Ross Tubman is known for her courageous efforts in bringing countless African American slaves out of bondage by becoming a conductor of the underground railroad. She eventually became the most influential of all conductors by returning to the south 19 times through the underground railroad, freeing 300 slaves.

"I'm very pleased to be working with Assemblyman Eve and Senator Nozzolio in getting this bill passed in the legislature," said Assemblyman Alfano adding "its only fitting that we honor Harriet Tubman who led the fight to liberate the enslaved and become a heroine and leader for generations to come."

Alfano, a member of the Assembly Leadership, is joining in the bi-partisan effort with the legislature's top civil rights leaders in getting the measure signed into law. Alfano joined Deputy Speaker Eve and Senators Pat McGee, Senator Mike Nozzolio and Chairwoman of the Women's Issues Task Force Assemblywoman Joan Milman in the effort.

Ms. Omoye Cooper, chair of the Black Women's Leadership Caucus said, "Harriet Tubman was in the words of Maya Angelou "a phenominal woman." How else could a spirit surface to create such excitement and unity among so many diverse people to support a holiday in her honor?"

The bill was introduced in the Assembly by Assemblyman Eve and is co-sponsored by Assemblyman Alfano. Alfano was the only Nassau State legislator who took part in the conference and spoke on initiative.

"This bill is important for many reasons. Harriet Tubman was more than the underground railroad. She was a union spy, unpaid soldier, volunteer nurse and freedom fighter - along with being a wife and at the end of the war, a widow. She battled against all odds and won freedom for 300 men, women and children bound in slavery," Alfano said.

"We would like to see this bill pass both houses and signed by the governor, not only because Harriet Ross Tubman will be the first woman to receive a public holiday, but because she deserves the recognition for the historic contributions and the rich legacy she has left throughout New York State," said Deputy Assembly Speaker Arthur Eve.

Anne Pope, the Northeast Regional Director of the NAACP noted "There is a lesson to be learned from Harriet Tubman. She was a woman of great leadership abilities. The message we as leaders can learn from this is that persistence, perseverance and fortitude can pay off."

Governor Pataki has proclaimed March 10, "Harriet Tubman Day" in New York State. The March 10 date notes Alfano has great meaning to the effort as March 10 represents the date of Tubman's death and the legislature felt that that date in particular was most appropriate in the governor's proclamation.

The state senate passed a resolution this past week honoring Tubman. It sets the stage in the legislature for the bills to pass both houses. Deputy Speaker Eve noted that the bill will be heading to the floor of the assembly for passage in the next few weeks.

"From conversations from members of the assembly I've had, I think we're going to get a tremendous vote of support for the bill," Alfano concluded.