Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (8th Senate District) recently held an informational community meeting with Assemblyman David McDonough (19th Assembly District) and Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt (17th Assembly District) at the Merrick Library to inform local senior citizens how the New York State EPIC program could help reduce their prescription drug costs. A representative from the EPIC program was on hand to explain how the program works and answer questions from the audience.

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) presented Michael Shack of Stony Brook with the New York State Medal of Merit, awarded to full-time military persons who have served in the Armed Forces. Mr. Shack served as a Demolition Specialist in the U.S. Army from 1943 until 1946, when he was honorably discharged from service. In recognition of his wartime efforts, Shack received numerous commendations including the American Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Philippines Liberation Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal.

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently presented members of the SAJES (Strengthening Community Through Education and Collaboration) Council on Prejudice Reduction (CPR) with a check for $25,000. The grant will be used for their Annual Conference to educate school administrators and k-12 educators on ways to reduce prejudice and advance equity."The SAJES organization is a valuable resource for all of us here on Long Island", said Senator Flanagan.

Senator Jim Alesi (R,C-Perinton) and Assemblywoman Ginny Fields (D,WFP-Sayville) are sponsoring bills in the NYS Senate and Assembly regarding the dangers that yo-yo waterballs pose to children. Their legislation (S.5960/A.9048) prohibits the sale, importation, manufacturing, or distribution of yo-yo waterballs in New York State.

Yo-yo waterballs consist of a liquid-filled ball on an elastic cord with a small finger loop at the end that allows children to throw the ball, stretch the cord and bounce it back like a yo-yo.

Following a Capitol meeting with officials of Del Laboratories, Senator James L. Seward announced a special task force of state and local officials that would work to provide job retraining for employees and marketing of the LaSalle Laboratories property in Little Falls. The company produces color cosmetics and has employed 350 workers.

The Campaign for Fiscal Equity case against was filed over a decade ago.

February is Heart Month and a perfect time to get re-focused on your New Year's resolutions of getting fit and being healthy.

Contributing factors for heart disease come from tobacco smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, stress, diet and lack of exercise. Developing a healthy lifestyle is a very important factor in keeping your heart healthy.

The national movement called America on the Move has reported that Americans have become the most overweight nation in the world.

New York State Senator Thomas P. Morahan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilitiesdelivered opening remarks at a ground-breaking summit/conference on Eating Disorders thatbrought together experts, educators, mental health practitioners, and mental health advocates.