NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi has thanked Gov. Eliot Spitzer for signing into law the bill that creates a permanent School-Related Professionals Recognition Day on the state calendar.

"The governor's signature on this bill memorializes New York's commitment to some deeply dedicated educators - School-Related Professionals," said Iannuzzi. "Their daily contributions to our students will now be honored annually on the third Tuesday of each November, during American Education Week."

NYSUT's 90,000 School-Related Personnel members perform a variety of key roles in schools, working as bus drivers, school nurses, custodians, secretaries, food service workers, teaching assistants and aides and in dozens of other job titles.

The SRP bill was sponsored by Assemblywoman Barbara Clark , D-Queens, and Sen. James DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse.

"NYSUT appreciates the great legislative support we received on this effort," said Executive Vice President Alan Lubin. "Both houses worked together to make this recognition happen for our members."

Lubin also cited Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, chair of the Assembly's Government Operations Committee, and Sen. Owen Johnson, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, for their work in pushing this legislation forward.

NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue oversees much of NYSUT's programming for SRPs. "These NYSUT members are often the hidden heroes of our schools," said Donahue. "Honoring their contributions to our students is the right thing to do. We will urge every school district to use this day to celebrate the work of all school employees, both inside and outside the classroom."