Unemployed Staten Islanders Ask: “Where’s Vito Fosella?”

With High Unemployment on SI – Residents Demand Fosella Step Up to Fight for Extended Unemployment Benefits for Staten Island

What: As the federal extended unemployment benefits program is set to expire on Friday, unemployed New Yorkers from Staten Island and South Brooklyn will come together to demand that Rep. Vito Fosella (R-SI) stop ignoring the unemployed. Unemployed workers will call on the Congressman to join House Democrats in supporting legislation to provide additional weeks of unemployment benefits for the long term unemployed.

When: Wednesday, May 21, 2003

11:00 A.M.

Where: Staten Island Borough Hall

10 Richmond Terrace

(Across from the Ferry Terminal)

Background: The current unemployment rate in NYC is 8.5%. The rate in Staten Island is 7.4%.

Recently federal efforts to provide additional weeks of extend benefits have stalled as House Republicans continue to oppose any relief for the unemployed.

For months unemployed Staten Islanders have sent hand written letters to Rep. Fosella describing their situation in grave detail. They have received no response or acknowledgement from the Congressman.

The federal extended unemployment insurance program is set to expire on Friday.

VISUAL: Blown-Up Image of Petition from Rep. Fosella’s constituents demanding he take action, hundreds of unanswered letters, unemployed workers.