Leading off today: A downstate politician says he will push to require youth organizations to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) as a condition for getting non-profit certification.
New York State Sen. Charles Fuschillo (R-Merrick) made the announcement yesterday as he kicked off the "Year of the Defibrillator," Newsday reported.
AEDs, many of which cost $1,000 to $1,500, deliver an electric shock through two pads connected to a patient's chest to revive someone who has gone into cardiac arrest. The portable device monitors the heart rate and automatically determines whether a shock is needed.
"We want them to be everywhere where people congregate," said Fuschillo, who has sponsored several bills involving AEDs in recent years.
Rocket to be welcomed: Roger Clemens will still speak at next week's Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association's convention, the organization has decided, despite his being accused of using steroids in the Mitchell Report.
"Usually you're innocent until proven guilty," THSBCA president Jim Long said. "He said he didn't do it, and he denied it ... He's a Texas boy. Growing up in Texas, for me, a person's word means something. If I find out later the person's a liar, then shame on them, but I take a person's word first."
The THSBCA had said it would consider whether to keep Clemens as a speaker for the Jan. 12 event after former
