Senate Resolution No. 2782

BY: Senator GOLDEN

HONORING Louis A. Sforza, Sr. upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the 2017
Humanitarian Award by the Columbia Association of
the New York City Fire Department on June 15, 2017

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our noble firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery every
day in the course of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters exemplify the power of human compassion and
the strength of the American spirit through actions of the most heroic
magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless dedication merit tribute
and recognition by all citizens of this great country; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Louis A.
Sforza, Sr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
2017 Humanitarian Award by the Columbia Association of the New York City
Fire Department, to be celebrated at its 83rd Annual Scholarship Dinner
Dance on Thursday, June 15, 2017, at Russo's on the Bay, Howard Beach,
New York; and

WHEREAS, Louis A. Sforza, Sr. joined the New York City Fire
Department (FDNY) on May 21, 1960; nine years later, he became the
Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) Staten Island Trustee, and
would go on to serve on its Executive Board of Directors for the next 21
years; and

WHEREAS, In 1973, Louis A. Sforza, Sr. held the title of Chairman of
the UFA Board of Trustees, and then, in 1976, he was appointed to the
position of Vice President, a role he served under four different UFA
Presidents; throughout his tenure, he represented the UFA at the New
York State Capitol in Albany, New York, where he was instrumental in
passing notable legislation such as the Heart Bill, the Lung Bill, and
the VSF law; and

WHEREAS, Louis A. Sforza, Sr. was responsible for introducing the
Voluntary Group Insurance program which has proven to be an enormous
benefit, especially in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist
attacks; for a number of years, he also served as a District Vice
President of the New York State Firefighters Association; and

WHEREAS, In 1989, Louis A. Sforza, Sr. assumed the title of UFA
President; this remarkable man has devoted over 43 years of service to
this vital organization; and

WHEREAS, Upon retiring from the FDNY after 31 years on the job, the
UFA hired Louis A. Sforza, Sr. as a pension consultant; in this
capacity, he prepares and presents various retirement seminars and
offers firefighters individual consultations in order to help them
through the retirement process; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Louis A. Sforza, Sr. attends all Pension Board
meetings where he assists the present UFA Trustees; he also served on

the 1B Pension Board for 20 years, for some of which he held the title
of First Vice Chairman; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been two sons, Louis, Jr. and
Stephen; two daughters, Kathleen and Lorraine; eight grandchildren, and
four great-grandchildren, as well as his late wife of 55 years,
Jeanette, all of whom have shown him love and support and rejoice in his
many achievements; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected public servants are often the
first to respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire,
transportation accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical
crisis, or spill of hazardous materials; and

WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help
others and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with
family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need;
Louis A. Sforza, Sr. is such a firefighter; throughout 31 years of
devoted service, he has heroically performed, above and beyond the call
of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire
protection; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Louis A. Sforza, Sr. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2017 Humanitarian Award by the Columbia Association of
the New York City Fire Department on June 15, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Louis A. Sforza, Sr.