STONEWALL DEMOCRATS of Western New York PO Hox 857, Buffalo, NY 14205 ‘Website: ww tonewalkdemocniswny. com 2008 ENDORSEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE - US CONGRESS Name: Aljec Key Zan _Campaign Address: sel 86 Main Sh, Willtansuille, HY /4aaf Daytime Phone: “216 - G03- 4463 Evening Phone. 7/6 - 597- BIS. Fax Number: _— E-mail alice @ KryzanGr Con, Com fice Souaht_U.5._ Congas —Depreventative fom WY -s6 _Party Affiliation: “bemanmn a Before you continue, please understand that: © Stonewall Democrats of WNY may publicize your responses In press releases and voters’ guides, on our web site, and via other channels of communication. Stonewall Democrats of WIVY will also identify candidates who fail to respond to this questionnaire * Stonewall Democrats of WNY will hold you publicly accountable for actions inconsistent with your responses curing your campaign and if elected during your term in office, = Stonewall Democrats of WNY will not consider endorsement of any candidate if they support any state or rational version of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) legistation, Please submit your typewritten responses to the following questions on @ separate sheet. 1) Why are you seeking this office? 2) Why are you seeking the endorsement of the Stonewell Democrats of WNY? 3) What three issues do you consider 1o be mest important to the people served by the office you seek? For each issue 2) Provide an example of specific action(s) you have previously taken—either as a public official oras a private citizen-to bring about positive chance relative to this issue; and ty Specify what adational action(s) in regard to this issue you intend to propose ifelected to the office you seek 4) Whal three civil rights issues do you perceive to be the most important i the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community? For each issue’ 2) Provide an example of specifi action(s) you have previously taker—elther as a public official or as a private citizen—to bring about postive chance relative to this issue, and ) Specify what additional action(s) in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected to the office you seek 5) Stonewall Democrats of WNY strongly believes that candidates have a responsibity to provide voters with truthiul, fair and clean campaigns for public office arid to conduct themselves in a manner conducive to a ofvl, iscue-oriented debate with their fellow candidates. Will you sign a writen pledge to conduct your campaign accordingly? 6) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you list he endorsement on all applicable campaign literature (ie., allliterature listing any other endorsements)? 7) Ifendorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, wil you attend a GLBT community forum to introduce endorsed candidates? 8) What are you doing or what will you do to advocate for greater GLBT representation and empowerment at the ballot box and in elected office locally? Please indicete your level of support or non-support for the Federal legislative priorities listed below based on the following rating sysiem, © Sponsor: | will sponsor (or am @ sponsor) and will vote for (of) this legislation * Co-sponsor: | will cosponsor (or am a co-sponsor) and will vate for (of) this legislation1) Why are you seeking this office? !'m running for Congress because | believe that this country and the 25" District have been on the wrong, course for teo long, Last summer, | decided that it was time for me to try to be an instrument for postive, progressive change in Western New York and in the country. 1 decided that | could no longer rely on someone else fo Speak oul for Democratic and democratic values. | think thal Congress is the best venue for me to act because the most serious problems effecting my district lack of jobs and a declining economy, inadequate or unavsilable health care, access io education and the war in Iraq, are most susceptiie to change at the federal lovel, | think it is wolll past fime for the people of the 25" Distriat to have someone representing them in Washington who will concentrate on addressing the Issues of concern to them and not serving the will of special interests 2)Why are you seeking the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats of WNY? | believe that the strenath of the Democratic Party lies in its diversity. We have had eight years of social, ‘economic and envircnmental regression under the Bush administration, and we need mare people in Congress who will stand up and say that equality, civil rights, the environment, and middle class families matter. The GLBT community has been ignored or demonized by radical right wing interests for too long, your endorsement would be valuable to me as an ally in fighting for equal righis for everyone under the law. +3) What three issues do you consicer to be most important to the people served by the office you seek? For each issue’ 1) Provide an example of specific action(s) you have previously taken-either 2s a public official or as.a private citizen—to bring about positive change relative to this issue, and ) Specity what additional action(s) in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected to the office you seek ‘The three most important issues to the people in Weslern New York are the economy, health care, and education | am focusing much of my campaign on finding solutions to the economic crisis facing Western New York. by combining my concern about global warming with the ecoromic opportunities aveilable in developing clean alternative energy industries here long with the green collar jobs they produce. | have been an environmental attorney for thirty years, and bring a wealth of experience to this issue. In terms of global climate change, in my private lf, | have been volunteering a substantial amount of lime over the last several years on behalf of the Sierra Club, Atantic Chapter, to oppose the construction of a 43 MW coal- fired power plent in Jamestown, New York. Preventing the construction of unnecessary coalfired power plan's is only part of the solution, however By making the development of clean, altemative energy industries a central part of my platform, | hope to be able to take the other necessary steps when | got to Congress. ur heatth care system is not serving the neds of all Americans, That is why | am pledging to support legistation that will make health insurance available to every American, and make it retable, portable and afiordabie as well, Asa private citizen, | have been actvely involved in women's health issues, working tobe sure that the women of Western New York recewve full reproductive health care services. | have been active in Planned Parenthood of Westem New York for a number of years. culminating in my service as President of the Board from 1998-2000. | also served for years on the Steering Committee of The Women's TAP Fund, a PAC that raises money for pro-choice women running for state and local office. In terms of education, | have served on the Grantmaking Committee of the Western New York Woman's Fund, recently resigning as co-chair because of the obligations of running for federal office. The mission of the Fund is to improve the economic self-sufficiency of women and girls in Westem New York. To meet that mission's objectives, the Fund provided grant money for a program at the Harman BadilloSchoo! thet provided after-school tutoring in English and Math, as well as social skills, to girls in the 7” and 8" grades. The program was funded for four yeats. We are now looking for cther educational programs to fund, And finally, | am the only candidate in the race to have pledged to work to end the war in Iraq by joining with dozens of other candidates for Congress who have signed on to A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq (www.resoonsibleolan.com). Iwas opposed to this war from the beginning, and I wil work to bring ito an end as quickly and as responsibly as possible 4) What three civil rights issues do you perceive to be the most important {o the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community? For each issue: 4) Provide an example of specific action(s) you have previously taken-either as a public official or as a private citizen—to bring about positive change relative to this issue; and ) Specify what additional action(s) in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected to the office you seek While I have not been active in GLBT advocacy, | do dhink that there is one umbrella issue facing the GLBT community that encompasses many other related civil rights issues: recognition under federal law for domestic partnerships and same-sex marriages as sanctioned under individual state laws. | would oppose a federal amendment banning gay marriago. 1 would extend full rights under federal law to same-nex partners. In addition, 1 would oppose legislation that sanctions discrimination in the workplace and the military based on sexual orientation or gender preference 5) Stonewall Democrats of WNY strongly believes that candidates have a responsibilty to provide voters with truthful, fair and clean campaigns for public office and to conduc! themselves in a manner conducive to. civil ,issue-oriented debete with thoir fellow candidetes. Will you sign a written pledge to conduct your campaign accordingly? have always been honest with the public during my campaign and during my private life, and believe that | have boen the most consistent and reliable voice on the issues in this race. | would consider signing a pledge of the type described in this questionnaire, but, consistent with my belief that I have to know what am signing or pledging to do before | act so that | can be henest about my positions, | would have to review the pledge first. 6) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you fist he endorsement on all applicable campaign literature (\e., al literature listing any other endorsements)? Yes 7) endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you attend a GLBT community forum to introduce endorsed candidates? Yes 8) What are you doing or what will you do to advocate for greater GLBT representation and empowerment at the bellot box and in elected office locally? | will work with local GLBT advocacy organizations such 2s the Stonewall Democrats, HRC, and other ‘arganizations to fight for equal rights under law for gay and lesbian couples, and people of all gender preferences. In Congress, | will actively support legislation that supports all femilies — not just “families” as defined by ‘he radical right.= Volo For: | am net a sponsor or cosponsor of this lagislation, but I wil vote fer this la © Oppose: | will actively oppose this legislation lation Sponsor | Co-sponsor | Vote For | Oppose [Leal = AR 1246 - Miltary Readiness Enhancement Act "To ‘amend ttle 10, United States Code, to enhance the rezdiness of the Aimed Forces by replacing the current policy concerning homesexually in the Armed Forces, iv teferted to as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, with 2 policy of rnandscrimination on tho basis of saxual crien‘alion.” HR 1431 - To amend tile Vil of tho Givi Rights Act of 1964 to establish provisions with respect fo religious: Y accommodation in eriployrment, and for other purposes. HR 1542 - Healthy Families Act:'To provide for paid sick leave te ensure that Americans can address their own v health needs and the health needs of their familias.” HEE 1562 Local Law Enforcoment Hate Crimes Preveriion Ac 'To provide Federal ascstance to States, Iocaljuieditions. and Indian tibos to prosecute hate Vv crimes, and for her purposes.” HR 1683 - Responsible Ecucation About Life Aci To provide forthe reduction of adolescent areqnancy, HIV fates, and other sexually ransmted diseasas, and for v other purposes. a0 tan aul frie Plan Bonotearae A "Teen th tera Reverwo Gado of 1086 extend seule vangoe sacete uporerponcee heal coverage os enpoyecyapovsee nd cepeniant | Z Chasen te coverage prewedio terete deagated beneficaries of employees." _ E2221 Uniting Aran Fanliog AGE: "o amend fe tration soe Metovoly Aa Ws finde doctraton Irth inmgaton ewe by Permting permanent paore Srbnted Stes cians ed lend Somnanerreoaen BG ovien wrt perraren wale seus fessor Fenner es Sposa of aurea en perienerh feclrts ano ponatzeinmngiaion aud mcanmecton a pera satrestioe! Hf 2302 Cerca of Federal Employment protested from diserimination on tho basie of eoxual ‘rientation and to repudiele any assertion to the contrary.” HR 2792 - The Family Wedical Leave Inclusion Aci: To) amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 10 peimit leave to care fora same-sex spouse, domestic partner, parent-in-lav, adull child, siting, or grandparent iho has a serious heath condition. HF. 9685 - To prohibit employment discrimination on the basie of eoxusl orientation, inalion based Prolecione Aco afm tal Federal employees ar yi 4 v uv HF 9806 - To probibit employment disci |_on gender identity. | altest that this sig saa ye of the issues on this questionnzire Candidate's Signature: + Zr Date: CULO Please complete the altached issues surveys, sign below and return questionnaire, surveys and your résumé to Stonewall Democrats of WNY PO Box 857 Buffalo, NY 14205-0857 Or fax to: (800)557-3081 Stonewall Democrats WNY — US Congress 2008 Questionnaire, page 2* As presently proposed, [ could not support HR 1431, because I understand that it could have some drastic unintended consequences that would result in the denial of people’s civil rights. + [think this bill has passed the House, and, therefore, I would not have the opportunity to vote on it. I do support the proposed legislation in any event,Alice J. Kryzan Candidate for New York’s 26” Congressional District Biographical Information Education: St, Patrick's School and Ursuline High School, Youngstown, Ohio Trinity University (D.C.), AB, cum laude, 1970 University of Chicago Law School, JD, 1973 Employment: Chicago: Roan & Grossman, Associate, June, 1973 — April, 1976 Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Inc., Associate Director, December, 1977 — November, 1978: Staff Attorney, April, 1976 December, 1977 Buffalo: Phillips Lytle LLP, Member of the Fim, January 1, 1981 ~ December 31, 1983; Associate, January 1, 1979 -December 31, 1980 Alice J. Kryzan, Esq., Sole Practitioner, January 1, 1984 — March 31, 1986 Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, Member of the Firm, April 1, 1986 — March 31, 1996 Kryzan & Kolaga LLP, Member of the Firm, April 1, 1996 — March 31, 1997 Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, PC, Shareholder, April 1, 1997 = June 31, 1999 Harris Beach, LLP, Partner, July 1, 1999 — July 31, 2004; OF Counsel, August 1, 2004— July 31, 2005 ; Environmental Law, principally Superfund and State Environmental Quality Review Act matters, principally representing corporations, businesses and municipalities Currently: [am almost fully retired from the active practice of law. | continue to provide advice to a municipal clicat on a specific environmental issue, and | am currently werking with a coalition of environmental groups opposing the construction of a 43 MW coal-fired power plant in Jamestown, NY. | am also one of forty mediators selected by the Court to participate in 2 pilot mediation program developed by the US District Court for the Western District of New York.Selected Professional and Civie Activities: Past Chair and Current Member of the Bar Association of Erie County Environmental Law Committee: Past Chair and Current Member of the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association Environmental Law Section; Past Chair . and Past Member of the Board of Planned Parenthood of Western New York (then Planned Parenthood of Buffalo and Erie County); Past Treasurer and Past Member of the Steering Commitiee of The Women’s TAP Fund, a PAC devoted to raising money ta support pro-choice women for state and local office in Western New York (over $400,000 raised since founding in 1993); Current Member of the Advisory Board and immediate Past Co-Chair of the Grantmaking Commitiee of the Western New York Women’s Fund, a joint project of the United Way and the Community Foundation of Buffalo that raises money to fund projects designed to help women and girls achieve economic self-sufficiency (almost $1 million in endowment funds raised); former ‘Treasurer and Member of the Board of Parks & ‘Trails New York, the only state-wide group advocating for the maintenance of New York State parks and working with local communities to establish new trails and greenways; Member of the 1989 Class of Leadership Buffalo, Thave also been an adjunct professor at the State University of Buffalo Law School and have authored articles on environmental law issues, as ‘well as the original chapter on inactive hazardous waste disposal sites in West Publishing's Environmental Law and Regulation in New York. Thave also made numerous presentations on environmental law topics, including presentations at CLE programs, Personal Information: | have been married for 35 years to Robert 8. Berger, a professor at the SUNY at Buifalo Law School. We have one child, Sam Berger, who is a first year law student at Yale.