Senator Stewart-Cousins Encourages Coleman School Students To Vote

Andrea Stewart-Cousins

August 3, 2016

Yonkers, NY – Senator Andrea-Stewart Cousins visited the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center today to teach a class from the White Plains campus of the John A. Coleman School about the purpose and function of government.

The John A. Coleman School serves the medically fragile residents of the Yonkers-based pediatric center and offers classes to students with special needs in White Plains.“I’m always happy to speak with the students of the Coleman School about the importance of our Democracy,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins. “These students should know that their opinions matter, and that their representatives are here to address their concerns.”The Senator spoke to the class of sixteen elementary school students about the various levels and houses of local, county, state, and federal government, and held a mock legislative session to encourage them to participate in the political process.

Senator Stewart-Cousins divided the class into the two bodies of the State Legislature, the Senate and the Assembly, and had each “chamber” vote on a bill that would require everyone to wear an article of pink clothing every day of the year.

She also stressed the importance of voting and made it known that everyone’s participation would be crucial when they reached voting age.

“Your vote is your voice,” Senator Stewart-Cousins told the class. “You’re going to be impacted by whoever is elected whether you vote or not, so you might as well make your voice heard.”Senator Stewart-Cousins has championed the Center as one of the state’s best facilities of its kind and has fought for improved access to services for children with developmental disabilities like those the Center treats.The Center administers rehabilitative services and holistic, palliative treatment to children with a variety of complex medical issues and is committed to giving each child the ability to lead a normalized childhood.

For more information, visit: https://setonpediatric.org/.