The state of New York defines stillbirth as an unintended intrauterine death post twenty weeks gestation. If a family in New York has the misfortune of experiencing such a tragedy, there is no official recognition of either the baby or the birth process that the baby and the mother had to endure. That family would receive a Fetal Death Certificate or, in New York City, a Certificate of Spontaneous Termination of Pregnancy.
The certificate we received did not have Daniel’s name, nor did it have a place for his name. That just did not sit right with us. How is it possible that the state in which we live, does not consider our son to ever have existed? How can they not say he was born? After 36 hours of labor and 45 minutes of pushing, who is going to tell us this was not birth?
We started making phone calls. We called the hospital. We called the funeral home. We called the office of vital statistics. We then called First Candle, which is the organization that our friends and family so generously donated to in Daniel’s name. When we asked them if this was a common concern, their answer provided a direction for our energies, anger, and grief. We were given information about the MISSing Angel’s Bill which has been bounced around the New York State Assembly for four years. This Bill, if signed into law, would provide a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth. A CBRS would give us the recognition both Lori and Daniel so rightly deserve. More information on Assembly Bill 8960.
FEBRUARY 17, 2007
Our mission, to lobby for the passage of the MISSing Angel’s Bill, began after first reaching out to the MISS Foundation.
We immediately heard back from Joanne Cacciatore, CEO and Founder of the MISS (Mothers in Sympathy and Support) Foundation and she was the first person to ever successfully lobby for this bill to be signed into law. Joanne sent a very warm response to my letter, and briefly shared her experience with stillbirth and the loss of her precious daughter Cheyenne. Very soon after that we received another e-mail from Daryl Logullo. Daryl is the MISS Foundation’s National Legislative Liaison and the man responsible for getting the law passed in Florida. It was named for his daughter Katherine. At this time, we felt like we had joined a club. We were not at all happy to be members, but were comforted nonetheless. We were quickly brought up to speed and introduced to a small group of mothers that had already scheduled appointments with legislators.
FEBRUARY 27, 2007
Meeting with bill sponsors.
We met with both Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun and Senator Bill Larkin. These meetings were a good ice breaker for future lobbying efforts. We were given valuable information about the bill's history and how to approach its chief opposition.
MARCH 5, 2007
Trying to gain additional support.
Our first meeting was with our local representative, Assemblyman Michael Cusick. We gave him information about the bill, asked for his support and set a time to follow up the following week. Then we met with Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer, representing both Staten Island and Brooklyn. This meeting was also to give information and ask for support. Our final meeting for the day was with Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, Health Committee Chair. From everything we had learned to this point, Mr. Gottfried held the bill's future in his hands. The MISSing Angel’s Bill had been stalled in the Assembly for the past four years due to Mr. Gottfried’s concerns about the bill. Our intention was to address those concerns. After a very positive meeting, Mr. Gottfried offered his time along with his staff members to redraft the bill with suggested new language.
MARCH 12, 2007
We received the first copy of the re-write. There was only one issue with the new language. We made a call to Mr. Gottfried’s office and within a few hours, we were informed that the issue had been resolved.
MARCH 14, 2007
We received the latest re-write which was exactly what we wanted to see.
MARCH 15, 2007
After an in depth conversation with Michael Cusick, he agreed to consider sponsorship of the bill. It had been suggested that we attempt to gain as much Democratic support as we could. Considering that Mr. Cusick is not only our local rep but also a Democrat, his support is very important to us. Hopefully he will decide to put his name on this bill.
MARCH 16, 2007
At our second meeting with Janele Hyer-Spencer, she agreed to be a sponsor and put her name on this bill. What great news! She was warm and understanding, but most importantly believed enough in the bill that she would stand behind it and support us.
MAY, 2007
The NY Missing Angels Bill finally made it to the Senate floor for a third reading and final vote. Our bill was passed with an overwhelming 53-2 vote.
After 4 years on the shelf, the NY Missing Angels Bill not only made it on to the Health Committee Agenda, but passed through committee with a unanimous vote.
JUNE 22, 2007
The Assembly has been completely focused on State budget issues. Unfortunately, our bill stalled in the Ways and Means Committee and will have to wait until next year to make any further progress.
JANUARY 24, 2008
The Senate Health Committee has passed the NY Missing Angels Bill, which will now go to its 1st Reading.
FEBRUARY 28, 2008
The Assembly Health Committee has passed the NY Missing Angles Bill, which will now move on to the Ways and Means Committee.
MARCH 26, 2008
Bill passed in the Senate by a vote of 59-1.
JUNE 15, 2008
Father's Day Press Conference held on the steps of City Hall to raise awareness of the Bill.
JUNE 15, 2008
Speaker Sheldon Silver communicated his support of the Bill to us and to Bill sponsor, Janele Hyer-Spencer.
JUNE 19, 2008
Bill held for consideration by Ways and Means Committee.
JUNE 23, 2008
Bill killed by Ways and Means Committee at 11pm... 1 hour prior to end of sessions for this year.
© 2008 Daniel's STAR