Senate Resolution No. 3901

BY: Senator GOLDEN

COMMENDING Lou Matarazzo, retired New York City
Police officer and former New York City Patrolmen's
Benevolent Association President, for his tenacious
advocacy on behalf of law enforcement and public
employees spanning more than 50 years

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished officers and citizens who would devote
themselves to public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence
in providing for the care and welfare of the citizens of their
communities and this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
merit the respect and admiration of their community for their exemplary
contributions and service on behalf of others; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Lou
Matarazzo, retired New York City Police Officer and former New York City
Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (PBA) President, for his tenacious
advocacy on behalf of law enforcement and public employees spanning more
than 50 years; and

WHEREAS, To recognize his illustrious service, the New York State
Association of PBAs established the Lou Matarazzo Distinguished Service
Award in his honor; he will be saluted at a Cocktail Reception and
Awards Ceremony on Monday, March 5, 2018, at the Cornerstone at the
Plaza, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Lou Matarazzo served in the New York City Police Department
for more than 35 years, and 32 of those years, he was an elected a
representative of the New York City PBA, which represents more than
75,000 active and retired NYPD police officers; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, Lou Matarazzo was elected PBA Delegate, and in
1977, he was elected to a full time position with the PBA, the largest
police union in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Over the subsequent 23 years, Lou Matarazzo held the
position of Trustee, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Recording
Secretary, Treasurer and President; during his tenure, he served on
numerous labor-management committees, such as the Rules, the Grievance,
and the Negotiating committees; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, he co-chaired the Police Merger Committee with
then-Commissioner William Bratton, to ensure a smooth and successful
merger of the NYC Transit and NYC Housing Police Department when they
were merged into the NYPD; and

WHEREAS, From 1978 until his retirement in 1998, Lou Matarazzo
served on the multi-billion dollar Police Pension Board, which is
charged with the prime fiduciary responsibility for police-related
disabilities and the investment and management of pension funds; and


WHEREAS, Lou Matarazzo is also on the Board of Directors of
COP-SHOT, the program that offers cash rewards for information leading
to the arrest and conviction of anyone who shoots or shoots at an NYPD
police officer or officers of various other departments, and served as
Chairman of New York State Public Employee Conference of the State of
New York, which has hundreds of thousands of members; and

WHEREAS, After retiring from the NYPD, Lou Matarazzo became the
Legislative Director of the Detectives' Endowment Association, Inc., the
labor union of NYPD Detectives; today, he is also the Legislative
Director for the Captains' Endowment Association, the Lieutenants'
Benevolent Association, and the New York State Public Employee
Conference; and

WHEREAS, In his position as Legislative Director, Lou Matarazzo
played a key role in the passage of laws that protect the health and
welfare benefits of municipal workers who become ill due to their work
related to the World Trade Center attacks and rescue and recovery
efforts; and

WHEREAS, A role model for public sector labor leaders, Lou Matarazzo
was appointed to the Governor's 9/11 Workers Protection Task Force in
2006, which is specifically charged with investigating and recommending
changes to the 9/11 Disability legislation, and serves as its
Vice-Chairman; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
dedicated public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the
preservation of order and the protection of others are worthy and due
full praise for their commitment and noble endeavors; and

WHEREAS, It is the further sense of this Legislative Body that those
who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long
and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Lou Matarazzo, for his tenacious advocacy on behalf of law
enforcement and public employees spanning more than 50 years; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Lou Matarazzo.