Senator Farley Authors Unanimously Passed Resolution Creating Blue Friday

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) had the pleasure of continuing the tradition of Blue Friday in New York State by authoring the State Senate Resolution which passed the Senate yesterday. In addition to making Blue Friday a commemoration in New York State, it highlighted the Capital Region fund-raising event slated for Friday, April 24th.

Blue Friday New York is a nonprofit organization that helps survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty by serving as a clearinghouse for benefits, information, and resources. The Blue Friday event is hosted by WGNA at various locations where people can purchase flowers and T-shirts. The proceeds are given to the Blue Friday New York organization. This year, from 5:45 a.m. to 10 a.m., Blue Friday events will be held at the Hannaford parking lot at Wolf Road and Sand Creek Road, Ninety Nine Restaurant near Exit 15 of the Northway, and Advance Auto Parts in Catskill.

"The first year we started doing this was in 2005, and I worked with radio station WGNA in creating this official State day to salute fallen law enforcement officers, and to support the families of fallen officers," Senator Farley said.

Since its inception, Senator Farley has introduced Resolutions in the State Senate keeping the tradition alive every year.

Senator Farley visited WGNA’s “Sean and Richie and Bethany show” last month to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and to promote Blue Friday.

The Senator was honored to have representatives from both WGNA and Blue Friday on hand during the Resolution’s passage in the Senate. Representatives included Lou Somma, Vice President of Blue Friday and a retired Deputy Sheriff from the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office; Ramon Guerrero, Director of Blue Friday and a retired Police Officer from the Albany Police Dept.; Robert Markel; Director of Blue Friday and a retired Det./Sgt. from the Bethlehem Police Dept.; Richie Phillips, Director of Blue Friday and from WGNA; Sean Mc Masters from WGNA; Bethany Linderman from WGNA; and Craig Pariseau, General Manager of the Ninety Nine Restaurants.

For more information on Blue Friday, visit Senator Farley’s FaceBook page at https://www.facebook.com/hugh.farley.5

Yesterday’s Resolution reads:

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION Recognizing April 24, 2015 as “Blue Friday”

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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, command the respect and admiration of their community for their exemplary contribution and service on behalf of others; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in participating in significant dates of recognition; and

WHEREAS, Albany radio station WGNA has joined forces with Blue Friday New York, Hannaford Supermarkets and Ninety Nine Restaurants to recognize April 24, 2015 as the 11th annual “Blue Friday” in honor of all law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty as well as all of those who still protect and serve; and

WHEREAS, On August 6, 2004, Albany Police officer, Pat Fox, proposed the creation of a local chapter the National Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), and joining with area law enforcement officers, chartered the first ever chapter of COPS in the nation; and,

WHEREAS, In 2010, the Capital Region COPS chapter became the incorporated Blue Friday New York nonprofit organization; and

WHEREAS, The mission of Blue Friday New York is to help rebuild the lives of survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty by serving as a clearinghouse for federal and state benefits, information, and resources that may be available to surviving families; and

WHEREAS, Each year, approximately 140 and 160 officers are killed in the line of duty and their families and coworkers are left to cope with the tragic loss; and

WHEREAS, “Blue Friday” is a reminder to pay tribute to those in the law enforcement community who have made the ultimate sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, On April 24, 2015, WGNA and Blue Friday New York will be accepting donations at the Hannaford store on Wolf Road in Colonie, the Ninety Nine Restaurant in Wilton, and Advance Auto Parts in Catskill; and

WHEREAS, Since 2005, “Blue Friday” has continued to grow with over 50 different police agencies participating in the Capital District area; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York is eternally grateful for the service of its brave men and women in law enforcement, and applauds the efforts of Blue Friday New York to assist the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to recognize April 24, 2015 as Blue Friday; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Blue Friday New York, Pat Fox, President of Blue Friday New York and to WGNA.