Every long trip involves many small steps, and a few giant leaps, but what is important is to TRY, and to PERSEVERE!!!!  This is a small BUT important victory!!

We must all continue to Email our complaints, AND get our Politicians involved ALONG with our IA Organizations!!!!!

My Thanks and Congratulations to Tony Avella, whose Biography follows on after the article from the New York Daily News.

Your Thanks can be Emailed to: avella@council.nyc.ny.us

Does anyone out there have contacts with AP, Reuters, and Bloomberg so this information can be syndicated nationwide?
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BIAS CLAIM PROMPTS TUNEUP

New York Daily News
Robin Haas
April 2, 2004

The Public Broadcasting Service made changes to its Web site on "The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance" documentary series after Bayside Councilman
Tony Avella and nine other Council members complained that the series title and
the Web site defamed Italian-Americans.

Avella, who heads the Council's Italian-American Caucus, said PBS responded
to a March 1 letter by making the requested changes, said Avella, a Democrat.

The letter said, "In the United States, the misconception that most Italian-Americans are involved in organized crime is far too widespread. The television and film media largely perpetuate this negative stereotype."

The letter went on, "When the media decides to portray us as mobsters and crooks and offers few positive roles for Italian-Americans, a message is sent to the American public that all Italian-Americans are criminals."

According to Avella, one section of the Web site titled "How to be a Medieval Mobster" was changed to "Ruthless Ambition" and another, "Rapsheets," which featured mug shots of the Medici family, was changed to "Snapshots."

"PBS always goes back to the producer, and we did go back to the Web site
and we felt some modifications were in order, so we made them," said PBS spokewoman Lea Sloan.In addition to Avella's letter, Sloan said, PBS received
about a dozen letters from viewers expressing similar objections.

New York Daily News - Boroughs - Bias claim prompts tuneup
http://c1.zedo.com/jsc/c1/ff2.html?n=162;c=275/258/1;
s=221;d=16;w=720;h=300;t=UndertoneNetworks.com
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BIOGRAPHY of TONY AVELLA:  NYC COUNCIL MEMBER - DISTRICT 19

Tony Avella won election to the New York City Council on November 6th, 2001 in the 19th City Council District - Northeast Queens, and was re-elected on November 4th, 2003. Tony is the Chair of Zoning and Franchises and a member of three Council committees: Housing and Buildings, Fire and Criminal Justice Services, and Land Use.

Tony is the founder and Chair of the Italian-American Caucus of the City Council.

Tony's public service career began over 20 years ago as an aide to New York City Council Member Peter Vallone. He served Mayors Koch and Dinkins as Queens Coordinator for all Community Boards and neighborhood organizations and as Chief of Staff to the late State Senator Leonard Stavisky and State Senator Toby Stavisky. From 1997 to 2002, Tony served as Democratic District Leader for the 25th Assembly District, Part B representing the Flushing and Whitestone communities.

Since taking office in January 2002, Tony has authored important legislation that has helped end a seven week long private bus strike, encourage boating safety education and protest Neo-Nazi organizations that spread racism and bigotry.

As Zoning and Franchises Chair, Tony has brokered the first deal in over forty years to amend the Community Facilities section of the zoning code to address serious abuses that impact the quality of life in neighborhoods throughout the City. He has also commissioned a zoning study of the 19th Council District to solicit recommendations to preserve and protect the character of our neighborhoods.

Prior to his election, Tony served in numerous volunteer capacities including, founder and President of the North Shore Anti-Graffiti Volunteers, Bay Terrace Civilian Patrol President, College Point Sports Association President, Preservation Alliance of Northeast Queens President, Bayside Historical Society President, founder and President of the Joint Community Council of College Point and a member of Queens Community Board #7.

For his numerous endeavors on behalf of all New Yorkers, in 1997 Tony was awarded with New York States Community Service Award from nominations received across the entire State. Since his election, Tony has also been honored by the Sons of Italys Commission for Social Justice, New York Hospital of Queens, East Bayside Homeowners Association, Little Neck Pines Association, Holly Civic Association, P.S. 29, Auburndale Soccer Club and the College Point Roller Hockey League. Tony is a graduate of Hunter College of the City University of New York.

He is a lifelong Queens resident and currently resides in Whitestone, Queens with his wife Judith.

http://www.council.nyc.ny.us/committees/details.cfm?Con_ID=16
http://www.council.nyc.ny.us/committees/details.cfm?Con_ID=16