For Immediate Release: August 26, 2001

COUNCIL HOPEFUL COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL WEEK OF ENDORSEMENTS

Staten Island, N.Y. - 49^th City Council (North Shore) candidate Debi Rose completed a successful week of endorsement from four citywide and local organizations in her quest to become the Democratic nominee for the Council seat. This past week Ms. Rose received the endorsement of the New York City Sierra Club, the Tenants and WOMEN Political Action Committees, the Congress of African Organizations of Staten Island and the "Preferred" candidate designation from Citizens Union of New York City.

"I am extremely proud to have earned the support from such a variety of public interest and advocacy groups in the City of New York and on Staten Island," she stated. "These endorsement are example of the respect and confidence that these organizations have in me and my experience to best represent their and 49^th Council districts interests in the City Council," she concluded.

On Monday August 20^th Ms. Rose received the endorsement of New York City Sierra Club group, the largest environmental organization that endorses candidates for public office. Mr. Ken Baer, Chair of the Political Committee, indicated that Debi had an extensive history as advocate on environmental issues, including concerns about noise and air pollution, creating parks and open space, opposition to building a bus garage in West Brighton, the opening of a coal port in Mariners Harbor and as the first to call for an environmental impact statement before construction of the Power Authority Rosebank power plant.

Also on August 20^th Ms. Rose received the endorsement of Tenants Political Action Committee, an independent political force for tenants formed by tenant leaders in New York City and suburban counties in the aftermath of the 1997 campaign to win renewal of the rent laws (www.tenantspac.org). Mr. Michael McKee, Treasurer of Tenants PAC, indicated that the "vote was unanimous and enthusiastic" by the Board of Directors.

On Thursday August 23^rd Citizens Union, the oldest and most influential good-government group in New York City, announced in a City Hall Press Conference that it had given Ms. Rose their "Preferred" Rating for the Democratic Primary on September 11^th. Citizens Union Executive Director Linda Stone Davidoff stated that Debi the "epitomizes positive, hands-on public service and has a superb knowledge of the immediate and long-term needs of her community" and her "hands-on approach to public service sets her apart from her opponents." Ms. Rose was the only City Council candidate on Staten Island to receive this rating (www.citizensunion.org).

Also on August 23^rd Ms. Rose received the backing of the Congress of African Organizations of Staten Island (COASI), an advocacy coalition of groups representing approximately 18,000 continental African on Staten Island, at a Borough Hall Press Conference. Mr. Togba Porte, Co-Chairman of COASI, praised Debi for her platform on education and development on the North Shore.

Finally, on Friday August 24^th We’re On the Move for Equality Now (WOMEN PAC), created in November 2000 to support candidates with progressive agendas on women issues in the New York City 2001 elections (www.womenpac.com), gave Ms. Rose their backing in the 49^th Council race. Co-Founders Daedre Levine and Melanie McEvoy called Ms. Rose "an excellent candidate" that has the "true makings of a winner" who has "pioneering ideas" that "now it is time for all of New York City to benefit."

This recent activity builds upon Ms. Rose’s support during the campaign, including endorsements by 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care and the Staten Island African-American Political Association (SIAAPA).

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