ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK, February 1, 2006 - Hundreds of supporters of education tax credits from the Diocese of Rockville Centre will join thousands of people in Albany for a Valentine’s Day rally in support of proposed legislation on education tax credits. The diocese will send ten buses to the rally, which will take place at the east steps of the NYS Capitol (East Capitol Park) on Tuesday, February 14 at Noon.

The rally is sponsored by the New York State Coalition of Independent and Religious Schools. Bill sponsors and Governor George Pataki have been invited to speak.

The primary tax credit bill, S.1939/A.8203 is sponsored by State Senator Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn) and Assemblyman Vito Lopez (D-Brooklyn).
It would allow a tax credit of up to $3,000 for parents of children in public, independent and religious schools who incur expenses related to the education of their children, including instructional materials, tutoring and tuition. It would allow a tax credit for teachers who spend their personal money on unreimbursed classroom expenses.

A second bill (S.3101/A.6145) would allow an education investment tax credit for businesses or individuals who make charitable contributions to schools or scholarship-granting organizations. This bill is sponsored by Senator Serphin Maltese and Assemblyman Dov Hikind.

“We need a strong showing in Albany from all the private schools on Long Island to demonstrate just how vital this is to private schools and necessary for parents,” said Sister Joanne Callahan, OSU, superintendent of schools, Diocese of Rockville Centre.

This rally follows a postcard campaign conducted in all eight dioceses in New York State urging legislators to adopt an education tax credit for parents of school-age children in New York State.

For more information on the rally, contact Sister Kathleen Eagan, CSJ, assistant superintendent for public policy and government
at 516-678-5800, ext. 555.

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About The Diocese of Rockville Centre
The Diocese of Rockville Centre (www.drvc.org <http://www.drvc.org>) was formed in 1957 and covers 1,222 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The diocese serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 3.3 million). There are 134 parishes in 115 towns. Last year over 20,000 baptisms, 18,000 confirmations, 20,000 first communions and 5,000 marriages took place in the diocese. There are 2,137 students in Catholic kindergarten, 23,825 in primary or elementary school, 12,628 in secondary school and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 76 Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in the diocese. Catholic Health Services of Long Island consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, two home-care agencies, two senior housing complexes, a community-based home for those with special needs and a hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more than 80,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on Long Island.

For more information:
Sean P. Dolan
sdolan@drvc.org
516-678-5800, ext. 625
Cell: 516-313-8215

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