To celebrate Women's History Month, I recently announced an exhibit honoring historic New York women whose achievements in arts, science, government, military, labor, education and social reform has earned them recognition as Women of Distinction.

The Women of Distinction exhibit features historic New York women, whose contributions are still felt today and who stand as an inspiration to the next generation of inventors, explorers, and achievers. I am also offering an online Women of Distinction exhibit through my website at www.SenatorMarcellino.com.

Women's History Month is a time to take stock of the enormous contributions of great women from our past. The Women of Distinction exhibit singles out just a few of these extraordinary individuals as an example of women's achievements that continue to this very day.

Specifically from Oyster Bay, is 2008 inductee Rosalie Jones (1883 -1978). She attended Adelphi College, then a women's school in Brooklyn, and graduated from Brooklyn Law School. She later donned the nickname "General Jones" as the result of her work with the suffrage movement. As president of the Nassau County branch of the National American Woman's Suffrage Association from 1912 - 1913, Jones gained notoriety by organizing a pilgrimage to present petitions to the new governor and gain publicity for the cause.

The online exhibit contains this as well as other easy-to-read biographies, in addition to other resources to help visitors learn more.

I am calling on Governor David Paterson to publicly oppose the Broadwater project, a proposed floating liquefied natural gas barge in Long Island Sound.

Our last governor spent a year and a half dodging the Broadwater question. Long Island needs Governor Paterson to take a stand and join with residents, environmentalists and with any person who has ever boated, fished, sailed or enjoyed a LI Sound sunset, and urge Governor Paterson to say No to the construction of Broadwater.

The Broadwater proposal has not provided adequate facts to prove that the new facility will alleviate any gas shortages on Long Island. Numerous environmental and safety issues remain unanswered, overlooked or underestimated. There are no guarantees that the cost to operate and secure this facility will not fall on the backs of Long Island taxpayers.

Broadwater will not solve Long Island's energy needs. In fact, Broadwater is a potential environmental disaster which could erase all the strides we have made cleaning up the Sound. The time has come for us to join forces and say no to this proposal. We need the governor's voice. We need to know he cares about Long Island and the Sound.

Currently, the New York Department of State is reviewing the project to ensure it meets the standards of the State's Coastal Consistency Plan. The department's ruling is expected shortly.

Governor Paterson must respond to the outcry by residents, community leaders and elected officials across Long Island. All of us together will not be heard as clearly as the governor of New York State, whose single voice in opposition will have the influence needed to stop the project.