Regular Session - February 27, 2024
901
1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
2
3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
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6
7
8
9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 February 27, 2024
11 3:31 p.m.
12
13
14 REGULAR SESSION
15
16
17
18 SENATOR SHELLEY B. MAYER, Acting President
19 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
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25
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1 P R O C E E D I N G S
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The Senate
3 will come to order.
4 I ask everyone to please rise and
5 recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
6 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited
7 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: In the
9 absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a
10 moment of silent reflection or prayer.
11 (Whereupon, the assemblage respected
12 a moment of silence.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Reading of
14 the Journal.
15 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Monday,
16 February 26, 2024, the Senate met pursuant to
17 adjournment. The Journal of Sunday, February 25,
18 2024, was read and approved. On motion, the
19 Senate adjourned.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Without
21 objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
22 Presentation of petitions.
23 Messages from the Assembly.
24 Messages from the Governor.
25 Reports of standing committees.
903
1 Reports of select committees.
2 Communications and reports from
3 state officers.
4 Motions and resolutions.
5 Senator Gianaris.
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: Good afternoon,
7 Madam President.
8 On page 30, I offer the following
9 amendments to Calendar 381, Senate Print 1159A,
10 and ask that said bill retain its place on
11 Third Reading Calendar.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
13 amendments are received, and the bill will retain
14 its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
15 Senator Gianaris.
16 SENATOR GIANARIS: Madam President,
17 we have numerous resolutions today, but we're
18 going to try and dispense with the calendar
19 first. So please take up the reading of the
20 calendar.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
22 Secretary will read.
23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
24 129, Senate Print Number 1948A, by
25 Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to amend the
904
1 Environmental Conservation Law.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
3 last section.
4 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
5 act shall take effect on the 30th day after it
6 shall have become a law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
8 roll.
9 (The Secretary called the roll.)
10 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
11 the results.
12 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
13 Calendar Number 129, voting in the negative:
14 Senator Oberacker.
15 Ayes, 53. Nays, 1.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
17 is passed.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
19 144, Senate Print 6676, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal,
20 an act to amend the Uniform City Court Act.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
22 last section.
23 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
24 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
25 shall have become a law.
905
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
2 roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
5 the results.
6 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
7 Calendar 144, those Senators voting in the
8 negative are Senators Borrello, Griffo,
9 Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Tedisco, Weber and Weik.
10 Also Senator Ashby.
11 Ayes, 45. Nays, 9.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
13 is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 169, Senate Print 2028A, by Senator Addabbo, an
16 act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
18 last section.
19 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
20 act shall take effected immediately.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
22 roll.
23 (The Secretary called the roll.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
25 Scarcella-Spanton to explain her vote.
906
1 SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON: Thank
2 you, Madam President.
3 And thank you to Senator Addabbo for
4 this extremely important piece of legislation.
5 This is one of the first bills that
6 I was able to cosponsor when I got into the
7 Senate. Giving our veterans who are 100 percent
8 service-disabled a 100 percent property tax
9 deduction is important because New Jersey is
10 already doing it. We want to make sure that
11 New York State is the place that veterans can and
12 will want to call home when they get out, so this
13 is important in making sure that we are on par
14 with what New Jersey is already doing.
15 I would also like to point out that
16 New York City does do a really great job of
17 staggering their property tax exemptions. So
18 whether you're 100 percent disabled or less, you
19 do qualify for some kind of property tax
20 deduction. So if anybody hasn't done that,
21 please make sure you do.
22 But this goes one step further,
23 trying to keep our 100 percent service-disabled
24 veterans here and not moving to our neighboring
25 State of New Jersey. I proudly vote aye.
907
1 Thank you.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
3 Scarcella-Spanton to be recorded in the
4 affirmative.
5 Announce the results.
6 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 54.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
8 is passed.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
10 205, Senate Print 204, by Senator Cleare, an act
11 to amend the Correction Law.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
13 last section.
14 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
15 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
16 shall have become a law.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
18 roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
21 Cleare to explain her vote.
22 SENATOR CLEARE: Thank you,
23 Madam President.
24 Over 200,000 women are diagnosed
25 with breast cancer each year, and incarcerated
908
1 women face unique risks given their lack of
2 access to adequate healthcare. In a 2019 report
3 on women's healthcare in New York State's prisons
4 and jails, the Correctional Association of
5 New York identified serious issues with the
6 medical treatment received by women in the prison
7 system, including issues involving mammogram
8 screenings.
9 Sadly, we already know that
10 incarceration is linked to premature death in the
11 United States, and for that very reason it is
12 incredibly important that women who are
13 incarcerated know their risks and have
14 information about self-exams and have regular
15 mammograms consistent with best medical
16 practices. Equity, justice and fairness as well
17 as humanity require this.
18 Thank you, and I vote aye.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
20 Cleare to be recorded in the affirmative.
21 Announce the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 54.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
24 is passed.
25 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
909
1 226, Senate Print 1801, by Senator Ramos, an act
2 to amend the Labor Law.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
4 last section.
5 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
6 act shall take effect immediately.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
8 roll.
9 (The Secretary called the roll.)
10 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
11 Ramos to explain her vote.
12 SENATOR RAMOS: Thank you,
13 Madam President.
14 You know, this year I focused my
15 legislative agenda on worker health and safety.
16 We've been trying to reform workers'
17 compensation, enacting protections for extreme
18 temperatures and regulating the warehouse
19 industry to make sure that every worker comes
20 home healthy and whole.
21 We're on the same page with the
22 Governor and are working to raise our temporary
23 disability insurance payments for the first time
24 since 1989. And all that work isn't complete if
25 we leave domestic workers out.
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1 While New York City and Westchester
2 County provide for up to 40 hours of paid sick
3 leave per year to domestic workers, New York
4 State's paid sick leave law leaves domestic
5 workers in the rest of the state behind. This is
6 the unfortunate pattern in our Labor Law's
7 history with domestic workers. Domestic workers,
8 like farmworkers, were carved out of the New Deal
9 because the workers were mostly Black. They were
10 sold out to win support from Southern Democrats
11 during the fight for the New Deal.
12 And this body can't leave them
13 behind again. We must end the vestiges of the
14 Jim Crow era here in New York, and there's no
15 better time than Black History Month to do it.
16 Domestic workers often earn poverty-level wages
17 and are reluctant to take time off because they
18 cannot afford to lose a day's worth of wages.
19 They're grossly underpaid as it is.
20 According to the Fiscal Policy
21 Institute, there are 328,000 domestic workers in
22 New York. These workers perform essential work
23 like caring for children, elderly loved ones, our
24 homes, and helping people with disabilities live
25 independent lives. It's work done almost
911
1 entirely by women of color. They're home care
2 workers, nannies and house cleaners, and they
3 comprise a large and growing workforce.
4 We all benefit if these workers are
5 able to care for their health. So thank you to
6 the leader and to everyone who's going to be
7 voting aye with me.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
9 Ramos to be recorded in the affirmative.
10 Announce the results.
11 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
12 Calendar Number 226, those Senators voting in the
13 negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello,
14 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming,
15 Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
16 Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Weber
17 and Weik.
18 Ayes, 36. Nays, 19.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
20 is passed.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 233, Senate Print 6112, by Senator Stavisky, an
23 act to amend the Education Law.
24 SENATOR GIANARIS: Lay it aside for
25 the day.
912
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
2 is laid aside for the day.
3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4 248, Senate Print 3118, by Senator Mannion, an
5 act to amend the Mental Hygiene Law.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
7 last section.
8 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
9 act shall take effect on the 120th day after it
10 shall have become a law.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
15 the results.
16 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 56.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
18 is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 298, Senate Print 7109, by Senator Kennedy, an
21 act to amend the Public Service Law.
22 SENATOR GIANARIS: Lay it aside for
23 the day.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
25 is laid aside for the day.
913
1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 336, Senate Print 724, by Senator Serrano, an act
3 to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
5 last section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
7 act shall take effect immediately.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
9 roll.
10 (The Secretary called the roll.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
12 the results.
13 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
14 Calendar 336, those Senators voting in the
15 negative are Senators Oberacker and O'Mara.
16 Ayes, 56. Nays, 2.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
18 is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 393, Senate Print 5714A, by Senator Cleare, an
21 act to amend the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
23 last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
25 act shall take effect immediately.
914
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
2 roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
5 Cleare to explain her vote.
6 SENATOR CLEARE: Thank you,
7 Madam President.
8 Some of the most important groups
9 within our communities are our arts and cultural
10 organizations. They teach us how to dance, sing,
11 paint; give lessons on history, culture and the
12 environment. They serve as communal gathering
13 spaces for meetings, advocacy and celebrations.
14 And in short, they enrich us.
15 However, not all institutions are
16 sitting on $5 billion in assets. The small,
17 diverse community-centric arts organizations are
18 the ones who need our support the most, yet
19 historically they are the ones that have the most
20 difficulty garnering federal, state and local
21 support.
22 Large cultural organizations have
23 plenty of space and large audiences but are not
24 always committed to supporting and displaying
25 works that focus on diversity, equity, and
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1 telling history from different points of view.
2 Therefore, this bill does several
3 things. It amends the Arts and Cultural Affairs
4 Law to incorporate even broader concern for
5 culture, access, diversity, equity, inclusion,
6 social and racial justice by reforming the
7 composition of NYSCA by requiring consideration
8 of diversity, equity considerations, and cultural
9 preservation and development.
10 This bill is sorely needed to make
11 certain that our arts and cultural organizations
12 tell the whole story of our people, our
13 communities, and our history. In doing so, we
14 will shape a better future for all.
15 I vote aye. Thank you.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
17 Cleare to be recorded in the affirmative.
18 Announce the results.
19 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
20 Calendar 393, those Senators voting in the
21 negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello,
22 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Helming, Lanza, Murray,
23 Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads and Weik.
24 Ayes, 48. Nays, 11.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
916
1 is passed.
2 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
3 reading of today's calendar.
4 SENATOR GIANARIS: Madam President,
5 I move to adopt the Resolution Calendar, with the
6 exception of Resolutions 1828 and 1839.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: All those
8 in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar,
9 with the exception of Resolutions 1828 and 1839,
10 please signify by saying aye.
11 (Response of "Aye.")
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Opposed,
13 nay.
14 (No response.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
16 Resolution Calendar is adopted.
17 Senator Gianaris.
18 SENATOR GIANARIS: Let's now begin
19 with previously adopted Resolution 1788, by
20 Senator Rivera, read its title only, and
21 recognize Senator Rivera.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
23 Secretary will read.
24 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
25 1788, by Senator Rivera, memorializing
917
1 Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2024 as
2 American Red Cross Month in the State of
3 New York.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
5 Rivera on the resolution.
6 SENATOR RIVERA: Thank you,
7 Madam President.
8 So I stand today proudly to
9 celebrate making March Red Cross Month here in
10 the State of New York. There are -- and not only
11 that, but to actually honor a few folks who
12 hopeful are joining us. I didn't have the time
13 to go up and say hello, but yes, they are right
14 there. We are joined by some of these folks.
15 I'm not sure if you folks know this,
16 and for me, I saw Red Cross folks in my district
17 even before I was a Senator and before I actually
18 got to know them as an organization. Once I got
19 to know them as an organization, I found out that
20 about 90 percent of the folks who work for the
21 Red Cross, the folks that go out to our
22 communities after there is a disaster, are
23 actually volunteers. The overwhelming majority
24 of the folks that do the work every single day
25 are volunteers.
918
1 I had the opportunity a few years
2 ago to go out with some of those folks and to
3 actually -- right after there had been a fire in
4 my district, and I rode along with them for a few
5 hours, and just like everybody else I gave my
6 time and I was able to learn a little bit about
7 the work that they do and the way that they
8 change lives.
9 Just so you know some of the numbers
10 that we're talking about here, just last year
11 they provided more than 500,000 volunteers advice
12 hours. So we're talking about 500,000 hours of
13 individuals' time in the State of New York. They
14 responded to more than 3,300 disasters, most of
15 those home fires. They delivered safe shelter,
16 hot meals, emotional support and recovery
17 resources to over 7200 families in need. And
18 they also supported the collection of about
19 222,000 units of blood in over 10,150 blood
20 drives across the state.
21 The bottom line is that these folks,
22 all these volunteers across the state, do amazing
23 work every day at the darkest time in the lives
24 of many of our neighbors.
25 And three folks who are here
919
1 today -- and I'd ask them to stand if they're
2 with us -- Shirley Leung, Michael Hoplight, and
3 Teresa Rossi. I hope I did not mess up anybody's
4 name. But these three folks have been singled
5 out as three volunteers that are the
6 distinguished humanitarians, so to speak, that
7 did amazing work last year and probably for many,
8 many years with the Red Cross.
9 I wanted to take some time to thank
10 them for their work. It is -- I am sure that
11 you, over the time, whether you've been working,
12 volunteering for Red Cross for a year or for a
13 decade, have definitely impacted people's lives
14 directly in our neighborhoods, in our districts,
15 and we thank you for that.
16 So, Madam President, I would
17 certainly want to honor them and give them the
18 privileges of the house.
19 Thank you, Madam President.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
21 Senator Rivera.
22 Minority Leader Ortt on the
23 resolution.
24 SENATOR ORTT: Thank you,
25 Madam President.
920
1 I want to thank Senator Rivera for
2 bringing this resolution to the floor.
3 And I certainly want to thank the
4 folks who are here today who make our
5 communities, our state, and our country a better
6 place to live by leading by example, by
7 volunteering their time and putting themselves
8 forward to assist those who very often find
9 themselves in great need of help at a time when
10 they either suffer through a natural disaster or
11 some other emergency.
12 And for me, it's a great honor to
13 not only speak on behalf of the Red Cross and of
14 these volunteers in general, but it's always
15 great when you have a constituent who's amongst
16 the honorees. So I would like to recognize,
17 certainly, from Niagara County, from Sanborn,
18 Mike Hoplight, who is here, a true epitome of
19 public service.
20 His love for volunteering started as
21 a teenager when he was with the Niagara Falls
22 Boys and Girls Club. His service to our nation
23 started in 1967, when he joined the Army for
24 four years' active duty and then 25 years in the
25 Army Reserve.
921
1 Upon his retirement, Michael chose
2 to continue service as a Red Cross volunteer,
3 where he has volunteered his time in response to
4 national disasters like Hurricanes Katrina, Irene
5 and Ike.
6 It's in his role as a Service to the
7 Armed Forces volunteer where Michael truly
8 shines, by providing countless hours of support
9 to our nation's military and our nation's
10 veterans. He has deployed three times to provide
11 support to active combat veterans, twice to Iraq
12 and once to Afghanistan.
13 Back in Western New York, he remains
14 a constant source of support to our veterans.
15 The Buffalo VA is one of the few VAs in the
16 nation that provides the No Veteran Dies Alone
17 program to provide end-of-life companionship to
18 our veterans who have no remaining family
19 members.
20 Michael has said, "We wouldn't leave
21 you alone on a battlefield. We won't leave you
22 alone in your hospital room either." That speaks
23 volumes to the kind of man Michael is, and it's
24 an honor to recognize his service today.
25 Michael, thank you for your service.
922
1 To all of you, thank you for your service. May
2 God bless you, and thank you for being here.
3 Madam President, I want to thank you
4 for your indulgence.
5 And Senator Rivera, again, thank you
6 for your bringing the resolution.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
8 Senator Ortt.
9 Senator Breslin on the resolution.
10 SENATOR BRESLIN: Thank you very
11 much, Madam President.
12 It is my honor and pleasure to
13 introduce another volunteer. And when we think
14 of it, what is a volunteer? We don't volunteer
15 here as legislators. But a volunteer is someone
16 who provides a service to someone else, and not
17 expecting anything in return.
18 Teresa Rossi, from Schenectady,
19 New York, is one of those people. In 2017, she
20 began her work with the Red Cross, and since then
21 she has provided over 2200 hours of service. And
22 during that period of time -- it's interesting,
23 some people stick to what they start with, but
24 Teresa is a blood donor, a blood drive
25 coordinator, a donor ambassador, a donor and
923
1 volunteer recruiter and trainer. That would be
2 the equivalent of someone going to the Yankees
3 and being able to play shortstop, first base,
4 pitcher, catcher, and the outfield, and probably
5 manage the team as well.
6 So Teresa has provided this service
7 for over seven years, not expecting anything in
8 return except providing that good service.
9 And we're so proud to have you here,
10 Teresa. And I'd be remiss in your household if
11 you didn't also recruit your husband, Michael, to
12 be part of the team. You are an inspiration to
13 all of us. Keep up the good work. And I hope
14 you visit here with us and give instructions to
15 us on how to be the true volunteer.
16 Thank you, Madam President.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
18 Senator Breslin.
19 Senator Comrie on the resolution.
20 SENATOR COMRIE: Thank you,
21 Madam President.
22 Good afternoon, members. I want to
23 introduce a volunteer that comes from Queens.
24 SENATOR RAMOS: Heyo.
25 SENATOR COMRIE: Heyo.
924
1 (Laughter.)
2 SENATOR COMRIE: Shirley Leung has
3 been a Greater New York Region volunteer for the
4 Red Cross for over seven years now, after working
5 in a good career in development and investment
6 banking, including economic development director
7 for the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. Shirley
8 is a problem-solver. She's a thought partner,
9 she's a data guru, and more and more she's a
10 humanitarian.
11 Volunteering for the Red Cross is a
12 selfless position, but she does it with -- as a
13 valued team member because she cannot only
14 identify problems and challenges, but she can
15 also suggest and implement solutions quickly.
16 And she's -- Shirley is kind. She's
17 quite humble. She's patient. She barely talks
18 to me a lot of times when she's here at the
19 meetings. But she's also someone that you can
20 see the entire team depends on.
21 She was a much-deserved recipient of
22 the 2020 Clara Barton Award for Meritorious
23 Volunteer Leadership. The recipients of that
24 award embody the pioneering leadership qualities
25 of Red Cross founder and president Clara Barton.
925
1 She's completed the necessary skills
2 training to play almost every position at the
3 Red Cross, as Senator Breslin just said. She's
4 an international delegate, she's completed the
5 disaster cycle services government operations
6 management training. She's an instructor team
7 member for the New York City chapter. She's done
8 Disaster Cycle services. She's worked as a
9 Mass Care Team Member. She's been a Volunteer
10 Partner for Government and Community Relations.
11 She's been coming up every year since I've been
12 here to talk about the Red Cross. She's done
13 Volunteer Caseworkers for Families, putting links
14 together when families are going through one of
15 the most stressful times in their lives. She's
16 been an Emergency Management Task Force and Team
17 member. She's also -- in addition to that, she's
18 been working in not just community relations but
19 working as a volunteer on the Family Links
20 Helpline, at the Communications Center for the
21 New York City Emergency Disaster Team as a
22 dispatcher.
23 In addition to her service at home
24 in New York State, Shirley has deployed to other
25 cities and states, going back to 2018 where she
926
1 was at Hurricane Florence in North Carolina, at
2 the 2019 Alabama tornadoes, at Tropical Storm
3 Hanna in Texas in 2020, at Hurricane Ida in
4 Louisiana in 2021, Hurricane Fiona in '22, and
5 lastly at Hurricane Ian in Florida in 2022.
6 When you look at Shirley, she looks
7 like she's 50 pounds soaking wet --
8 (Laughter.)
9 SENATOR COMRIE: -- but she's truly
10 a special person. I know the New York City team
11 at the Red Cross truly appreciates her spirit and
12 her selfless service.
13 And I want to thank you,
14 Madam President, for allowing me to introduce
15 Shirley Leung, one of the best parts of the best
16 borough in the state. Thank you.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
18 Senator Comrie.
19 To our guests from the Red Cross, I
20 welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend
21 to you the privileges and courtesies of the
22 house.
23 Please rise and be recognized.
24 (Standing ovation.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
927
1 Gianaris.
2 SENATOR GIANARIS: Can we go to
3 previously adopted Resolution 1807, by
4 Senator Kennedy, read that resolution's title and
5 recognize Senator Kennedy.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
7 Secretary will read.
8 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
9 1807, by Senator Kennedy, memorializing
10 Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 1, 2024,
11 as Canada Day in the State of New York, in
12 celebration of this great Empire State's
13 longstanding economic and cultural relationship
14 with Canada.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
16 Kennedy on the resolution.
17 SENATOR KENNEDY: Thank you,
18 Madam President.
19 I rise today to recognize the
20 longstanding relationship between the
21 United States and Canada. We are honored to have
22 a number of guests from the Canadian government
23 here with us in the Senate chamber on the Senate
24 floor, and I'd like to recognize them and ask
25 them to stand as their names are called.
928
1 David Paterson, Alberta's
2 Representative to Ontario.
3 The Honorable Senator Michael
4 MacDonald, representing Nova Scotia.
5 Brian Masse, member of Parliament,
6 representing the riding of Windsor West, Ontario.
7 Canada's Consul General in New York,
8 Tom Clark.
9 Quebec's Delegate General in
10 New York, Martine Hebert.
11 Genevieve Fletcher, the Consulate
12 and Deputy Head of Foreign Affairs for the
13 Consulate General of Canada in New York.
14 Anne-Cecile Dequen, the Quebec
15 Government Office in New York.
16 Taylor Reak, also of the Quebec
17 Government Office in New York.
18 Zachariah Black, from the
19 Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group.
20 And I will say, last but certainly
21 not least -- as a matter of fact, a very special
22 individual to me and many in this chamber -- is
23 our friend Rachael Homewood, my former chief of
24 staff and legislative director right here in this
25 chamber, who's the Senior Diplomatic Advisor to
929
1 the Canadian Consulate in New York.
2 We welcome you all here today.
3 Madam President, New York's neighbor
4 to the north, the great country of Canada, shares
5 so much with us -- history, culture, and the
6 largest bilateral tourism industry in the
7 United States.
8 More than 5.5 million Canadians
9 visit the State of New York every year, and yet
10 our relationship with Canada is much bigger than
11 these temporary visits might suggest. Our
12 proximity and partnership has led to more than
13 800 Canadian-owned companies putting down roots
14 in our state, with nearly 700,000 jobs that have
15 been created that are dependent upon Canadian and
16 U.S. trade, demonstrating a collaboration and
17 commitment to opportunity.
18 Canada and New York are also among
19 each other's top trade markets. In 2022 alone,
20 trade between our state and our Canadian
21 neighbors totaled $42.5 billion, a year over year
22 increase of over $8 billion.
23 In Western New York, our ties to
24 Canada are part of our daily culture. And I
25 would say across this country we share this
930
1 amazing history. When you think about where the
2 United States has risen up to the extraordinary
3 leader in the global community; it's been Canada,
4 our neighbors to the North, that have been
5 demonstrating to the world what a true
6 partnership and friendly neighbor is all about,
7 whether it's in our commerce that I've discussed
8 here today, or whether it's in the history.
9 And as our great American military
10 veterans have gone off and fought in world wars
11 across the globe, it's been our Canadian partners
12 that have donned the uniform and fought for
13 freedom with us.
14 And today, when we think about the
15 peaceful relationship that we have and the
16 ability for us to share our culture and to think
17 about days where Canadians pour over that border,
18 our shared border into Buffalo, New York, my
19 hometown -- whether it's a Buffalo Bills game or
20 a Buffalo Sabres game, the seats are full of fans
21 from both sides of the border.
22 Our communities are tied together
23 with some of the most important bridge crossings
24 in North America, with the Peace Bridge, the
25 Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, the Rainbow Bridge
931
1 carrying around 2 million trucks and more than
2 7.5 million cars every year, accounting for tens
3 of billions of dollars in international trade.
4 When the pandemic hit just a few
5 short years ago, its magnitude was enormous,
6 especially for border communities that have long
7 seen the other side not just as neighbors but as
8 family. Thankfully, we stand here today on the
9 other side of that heartbreak. As both of our
10 nations continue to rebuild, we recognize that we
11 are so much more than a shared border. In the
12 light, in the dark, we are one together.
13 Today the New York State Senate
14 joins together to recognize our friends to the
15 north -- the true north -- the existing
16 partnership we share, and the bright future
17 ahead. Welcome. Thank you.
18 And, Madam President, if you could
19 bestow upon these honorable guests all of the
20 privileges of the house.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
22 Senator Kennedy. I will in a minute.
23 Senator Griffo on the resolution.
24 SENATOR GRIFFO: Thank you,
25 Senator Kennedy.
932
1 And I want to extend our
2 appreciation and welcome to our distinguished
3 guests who are with us today.
4 I had the opportunity to represent
5 the border, and always appreciated the way that
6 we would communicate, the goodwill that we
7 experienced, the exploring of common interests,
8 and ultimately to undertake cooperative ventures
9 and initiatives. So I sincerely appreciate all
10 of your work, and in this historic relationship.
11 And I'm going to quote another
12 Kennedy, the former President of the
13 United States John F. Kennedy, whose words I
14 think are as appropriate today as they were in
15 May of 1961 when he said, in describing the
16 relationship between these two great nations,
17 ours and canada, "Geography has made us
18 neighbors, history has made us friends, economics
19 has made us partners, and necessity has made us
20 allies."
21 Those words today I think are as
22 important and significant as they were then. We
23 look forward to continuing this historic
24 relationship of friendship and partnership, and
25 wish you the best, and thank you for being here
933
1 with us today.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
3 Senator Griffo.
4 To our guests representing the
5 nation of Canada, we welcome you on behalf of the
6 Senate. We extend to you the privileges and
7 courtesies of the house.
8 You already rose, but let's be
9 recognized.
10 (Standing ovation.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
12 Gianaris, the resolution was adopted on
13 February 13th.
14 SENATOR GIANARIS: Thank you,
15 Madam President.
16 Can we now take up Resolution 1839,
17 by Senator Serrano, read that resolution's title
18 and recognize Senator Serrano.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
20 Secretary will read.
21 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 1839, by
22 Senator Serrano, commemorating the
23 100th Anniversary of the New York State Office of
24 Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
934
1 Serrano on the resolution.
2 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you very
3 much, Madam President.
4 It is such an honor to rise here in
5 the Senate chamber on my Resolution 1839
6 commemorating and celebrating 100 years -- thank
7 you, Madam President -- commemorating 100 years
8 of our New York State Park system.
9 Our parks are transformational. Our
10 parks mean so much to all of our lives. Our
11 parks during the pandemic became our refuge.
12 During a very difficult and anxious time, they
13 became the place that we all went to for safety,
14 for enjoyment, and to be together.
15 And over the years we've seen
16 increased visitorship. Last year we had another
17 banner year with over 84 million visitors
18 attending and visiting our state parks.
19 Our state parks provide countless
20 educational opportunities, and they allow our
21 communities and folks to interact with the
22 natural world around them.
23 Those of us who live in urban
24 environments, as I do, really do benefit from
25 having the opportunity to interact with our state
935
1 parks, to become friends to our parks and to
2 become stewards of our park system.
3 I really do believe that our parks
4 have the ability to be transformational, but also
5 to give tremendous opportunities especially to
6 young people in our communities. The ability or
7 the opportunity to attend summer camp has been
8 shown to have tremendous benefits for a lifetime.
9 Learning how to swim, engaging in hiking, camping
10 and the great outdoors, are things that could
11 never be overlooked and can bring about a
12 lifetime of good things for New Yorkers.
13 New York State has one of the --
14 probably the best parks system anywhere in the
15 nation. Indeed, it is an old system with a lot
16 of aging infrastructure that is in constant need
17 of repair. But I have so much gratitude to the
18 Office of State Parks for all that they do to
19 make sure that our parks remain accessible.
20 One of the things that we care
21 deeply about here in the Legislature is ensuring
22 parks equity, making sure that our communities in
23 places like the South Bronx, East Harlem, upstate
24 New York, have real access to green space, have
25 real access to nature programs and educational
936
1 opportunities. And I think it's really important
2 that we delve deeper into those opportunities.
3 But today's resolution and
4 celebration really gives us the opportunity to
5 think about how much our parks have meant to us
6 over these last hundred years. Whether you're in
7 Harriman State Park, whether you're out in parks
8 on Long Island, Jones Beach -- you name it, we
9 really have some of the most beautiful wilderness
10 anywhere in the nation.
11 So I'm very grateful for the parks
12 advocates who are in the gallery today. Today
13 happens to be Parks Advocacy Day here in Albany,
14 which is one of my favorite days of the
15 legislative year where folks come from across the
16 state and visit all of us in our offices to talk
17 about why our parks are important and why they're
18 vital.
19 So, so grateful to all of my
20 colleagues for their support of this resolution.
21 I look forward to a wonderful yearlong
22 celebration of this centennial, and I thank you,
23 colleagues and Madam President, for the
24 opportunity to speak on this. Thank you.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
937
1 Senator Serrano.
2 Senator Bailey on the resolution.
3 SENATOR BAILEY: Thank you,
4 Madam President.
5 I want to thank you,
6 Senator Serrano, for this important resolution.
7 Hailing from New York City's greenest borough,
8 parks are really critically important to the
9 development of not just people, but of young
10 people. There is no greater soundtrack to the
11 summer than hearing the joy and exultation of
12 children being able to play in a park. And being
13 able to have such an expansive and extensive
14 state park system through this great state is
15 something that we should avail ourselves of at
16 more opportunities.
17 My family and I, we often --
18 sometimes decide on a whim that we'll travel a
19 little further north and we'll go to one of the
20 state parks, whether it be Bear Mountain State
21 Park or one of the other state parks -- or
22 Lake Welch or something of the sort. And we try
23 to expose our kids to something a little
24 different.
25 And it's my sincere hope that
938
1 everybody gets a chance to experience the
2 greatness that we do have in this state park
3 system. Whatever it is, whatever your leisure
4 activity may be, there is something in a New York
5 State Park for you. In addition to that, it's
6 the endorphins that are released from the fresh
7 air and the hiking activities. Or even if it's
8 just sitting down on some freshly pruned grass,
9 right -- you know, there's something in every
10 New York State park for you.
11 So Senator Serrano, thank you for
12 this resolution. I'm glad that we're celebrating
13 this centennial of New York State parks. And to
14 many more years.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
16 Senator Bailey.
17 To our guests who are here for
18 Parks Day, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate.
19 We extend to you the privileges and -- oh,
20 Senator Jackson, I did not see your hand.
21 Senator Jackson on the resolution.
22 SENATOR JACKSON: Thank you,
23 Madam President.
24 I rise in support of the resolution.
25 I formerly represented Riverbank State Park, and
939
1 that's right on -- between 135th and 145th Street
2 in Harlem.
3 And let me say this to you, that the
4 track, the basketball courts, the tennis courts,
5 the swimming pool -- all of the things that the
6 youth of our inner city basically enjoy going to.
7 And in fact, anytime my daughters
8 had time off from school during the holiday, I
9 would take them to go swimming at Riverbank State
10 Park. It was only $1 to get in there.
11 And so I say this to you, that it
12 was a gift, obviously, with the community working
13 hand in hand, because the -- the -- underneath
14 the park is a -- anyway, it's for the community.
15 But now I represent Roberto Clemente
16 State Park in the Bronx. And let me tell you,
17 it's a beautiful park there for all of the kids
18 that live in that area and for whoever comes from
19 different parts of the Bronx.
20 And as you know, Roberto Clemente
21 was a very famous baseball player that basically
22 died in transporting food to those in need in
23 South America.
24 So with that, I tell you I enjoy the
25 parks and I'm so happy that we have these parks
940
1 where hundreds of thousands of individuals can
2 enjoy -- knowing that it's for them and their
3 children to have fun and enjoy, to learn how to
4 swim and run, at Roberto Clemente State Park and
5 Riverbank State Park.
6 Thank you, Madam Chair.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
8 Senator Jackson.
9 Senator Gonzalez on the resolution.
10 SENATOR GONZALEZ: Thank you so
11 much, Madam President.
12 I wanted to echo the sentiments that
13 we heard today about the importance of our parks.
14 I have the pleasure of representing an incredible
15 state park, Gantry Plaza State Park, in
16 Long Island City, and am really excited to
17 welcome two constituents today who are here from
18 the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy.
19 So I wanted to give them a warm
20 welcome and shout out. You know, between the
21 work that they do and the investment that we've
22 made in our parks, it has been a lifeline for our
23 community for years, especially during the
24 pandemic when so many of our families were
25 looking for places to go in an area that was
941
1 incredibly starved for green space.
2 So I really do want to take this
3 moment to celebrate and appreciate all of the
4 hard work it takes to make something like that
5 happen. And, you know, really speak to how in
6 the hardest moments, it is our green space, it is
7 our third spaces that are places where we can go
8 to build our community, to seek refuge, that
9 improves the quality of our life.
10 And so I do want to thank Senator
11 Serrano for this, but also, again, everyone here
12 and our community members for the really
13 incredible work that they're doing.
14 Thank you, Madam President.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
16 Senator Gonzalez.
17 Senator Cleare on the resolution.
18 SENATOR CLEARE: Thank you,
19 Madam President.
20 I wasn't going to say anything about
21 this resolution until Senator Jackson spoke about
22 Riverbank State Park, which I now represent, and
23 proudly represent the park. It has been renamed
24 the Herman "Denny" Farrell State Park.
25 And, you know, that park, when I
942
1 look at it, is all the things that everyone has
2 said today, but it serves a community that
3 doesn't necessarily have access to traveling, to
4 going on vacations sometimes to the Hamptons or
5 maybe some of the other more affluent places.
6 This is their Hamptons.
7 It's a beautiful park. It serves so
8 many of my constituents for swimming, for roller
9 skating, for ice skating. And not just my
10 district, but people come from far and wide. And
11 I appreciate the park being in our district
12 because it definitely has changed and transforms
13 lives of the people in my community.
14 So I thank Senator Serrano for
15 bringing this resolution here today, because
16 sometimes we can take for granted some of the
17 things that we have in our communities. It's
18 truly a paradise, and I'm happy that it's in my
19 district, and proudly represent it.
20 Thank you.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: To our
22 guests here for Parks Day, we welcome you on
23 behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the
24 privileges and courtesies of the house.
25 Please rise and be recognized.
943
1 (Standing ovation.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
3 question is on the resolution. All in favor
4 signify by saying aye.
5 (Response of "Aye.")
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Opposed,
7 nay.
8 (No response.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
10 resolution is adopted.
11 Senator Serrano.
12 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
13 Madam President.
14 Let's please take up previously
15 adopted Resolution 1598, by Senator Sepúlveda.
16 Please read that resolution title only and
17 recognize Senator Sepúlveda.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
19 Secretary will read.
20 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 1598, by
21 Senator Sepúlveda, commemorating the
22 180th Anniversary of the Independence of the
23 Dominican Republic, to be celebrated on
24 February 27, 2024.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
944
1 Sepúlveda on the resolution.
2 SENATOR SEPÚLVEDA: Thank you,
3 Madam Speaker, for allowing me to present this
4 resolution.
5 I rise today to recognize a pivotal
6 moment not only in the history of the Dominican
7 Republic but also in the ongoing narrative of
8 Dominican contributions to the vibrant tapestry
9 of New York State.
10 As we commemorate the 180th
11 anniversary of the Dominican Republic, we
12 celebrate not only our nation's sovereignty but
13 also the immense impact of Dominican New Yorkers
14 on the fabric of our society.
15 Resolution 1598 serves as a poignant
16 acknowledgement of the indelible mark left by
17 Dominican immigrants in our great state. From
18 the bustling streets of Washington Heights to the
19 dynamic neighborhoods of the best county in the
20 world -- the Bronx -- and beyond, Dominican
21 Americans have enriched our communities with
22 culture, resilience, and unwavering spirit.
23 Today I am honored to highlight the
24 exemplary achievements of one such individual
25 among us, Mr. Quemuel Arroyo. A proud Dominican
945
1 New Yorker, Mr. Arroyo has distinguished himself
2 as a trailblazer and advocate for accessibility
3 in our city. In February of 2021 he assumed the
4 role of the MTA's first agencywide chief
5 accessibility officer, championing inclusivity
6 and equal access to transportation for all
7 New Yorkers.
8 Mr. Arroyo's story is emblematic of
9 the countless ways in which Dominicans make
10 New York a better place each day. His
11 dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment
12 to service serve as a beacon of inspiration to
13 all of us.
14 In honoring the 180th anniversary of
15 the Dominican Republic, let us recognize the
16 invaluable contributions of individuals like
17 Mr. Arroyo. We are privileged to have him as a
18 symbolic ambassador entrusted with conveying our
19 heartfelt congratulations to our brothers and
20 sisters in the Dominican Republic. He will be
21 delivering this resolution to the Dominican
22 Assembly and the Dominican Senate.
23 Together let us reaffirm our
24 commitment to fostering great understanding,
25 cooperation and mutual respect between our
946
1 nations. May we continue to celebrate the rich
2 cultural heritage of the Dominican Republic and
3 the enduring bond shared between our peoples.
4 Viva la República Dominicana! Dios,
5 Patria y Libertad.
6 And in Spanish: "Estimados colegas,
7 Hoy, me levanto para reconocer un momento crucial
8 no solo en la historia de la República
9 Dominicana, sino también en la narrativa continua
10 de las contribuciones dominicanas al vibrante
11 tapiz de Nueva York. Al conmemorar el 180
12 aniversario de la lndependencia Dominicana,
13 celebramos no solo la soberania de nuestra
14 nación, sino también el inmenso impacto de los
15 dominicanos en Nueva York en la estructura de
16 nuestra sociedad.
17 "La resolución número J1598 sirve
18 como un conmovedor reconocimiento de la huella
19 indeleble dejada por los inmigrantes dominicanos
20 en nuestro gran estado. Desde las bulliciosas
21 calles de Washington Heights hasta los dinámicos
22 vecindarios del Bronx y más allá, los
23 dominicoamericanos han enriquecido nuestras
24 comunidades con su cultura, resistencia y
25 espiritu inquebrantable.
947
1 "Hoy, tengo el honor de resaltar los
2 logros ejemplares de uno de esos individuos entre
3 nosotros: el Sr. Quemuel Arroyo. Orgulloso
4 dominicano neoyorquino, el Sr. Arroyo se ha
5 distinguido como un pionero y defensor de la
6 accesibilidad en nuestra ciudad. En febrero de
7 2O21, asumió el cargo de Primer Oficial de
8 Accesibilidad a nivel de agencia de la Autoridad
9 de Transporte Metropolitano, abogando por la
10 inclusividad y el acceso igualitario al
11 transporte para todos los neoyorquinos.
12 "La historia del Sr. Arroyo es
13 emblemática de las innumerables formas en que los
14 dominicanos hacen de Nueva York un lugar mejor
15 cada dia. Su dedicación, liderazgo y compromiso
16 inquebrantable con el servicio sirven como un
17 faro de inspiración para todos nosotros.
18 "Al honrar el 180 aniversario de la
19 lndependencia Dominicana, también reconozcamos
20 las invaluables Contribuciones de individuos como
21 el Sr. Arroyo, quienes encarnan el espiritu de
22 nuestra comunidad. Hoy, mientras estamos de pie
23 en el Senado, tenemos el privilegio de contar con
24 el Sr. Arroyo como nuestro embajador simbólico,
25 encargado de transmitir nuestras sinceras
948
1 felicitaciones a nuestros hermanos y hermanas en
2 el Senado Dominicano.
3 "Juntos, reafirmemos nuestro
4 compromiso de fomentar una mayor comprensión,
5 cooperación y respeto mutuo entre nuestras
6 naciones. Que continuemos celebrando la rica
7 herencia cultural de la República Dominicana y el
8 vinculo perdurable compartido entre nuestros
9 pueblos.
10 "¡Viva la República Dominicana! Dios
11 Patria y Libertad. Gracias."
12 Thank you.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
14 Senator Sepúlveda.
15 Senator Jackson on the resolution.
16 SENATOR JACKSON: Madam Chair, I
17 did not raise my hand on this one. But I say to
18 you that I will speak on the resolution, knowing
19 that --
20 (Laughter.)
21 SENATOR JACKSON: -- that
22 Mr. Arroyo is basically -- anytime that the MTA
23 is opening up the elevators and building
24 elevators so that anyone can come into the
25 system, he's the chief officer that's responsible
949
1 for that.
2 And I've worked with him on many
3 occasions, more recently at my Dyckman Street on
4 the No. 1 line and also at the 181st Street and
5 Fort Washington Avenue, making it accessible for
6 all individuals, whether or not they were
7 visually impaired or other impairments or
8 disabilities, and making the MTA accessible.
9 And know we have a long way to go,
10 but this is the right direction and the person
11 that's leading it is my friend. And I see him
12 all around the community.
13 I vote aye, Madam President.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you
15 Senator Jackson.
16 Senator Bailey on the resolution.
17 SENATOR BAILEY: Thank you,
18 Madam President.
19 It's going to be difficult to top
20 that, Senator Jackson's freestyle act. That was
21 incredible.
22 (Laughter.)
23 SENATOR BAILEY: But Feliz Día de la
24 Independencia for the Dominican Republic,
25 180 years of an incredible culture.
950
1 It is the largest-growing ethnic
2 group in the Borough of the Bronx -- as Senator
3 Sepúlveda appropriately stated, the greatest
4 county of the 62. There might be some debates,
5 but there is no debate about the heart of the
6 Dominican community.
7 They excel in a great variety of
8 many, you know, endeavors, whether it be
9 government, athleticism, advocacy for the MTA,
10 including but not limited to all of these
11 incredible tasks.
12 And so as not to belabor the point,
13 I think Senator Sepúlveda touched on it best in
14 English and in Spanish, which I will not endeavor
15 to do today. But what I will say is just
16 continue to -- let's continue to make sure that
17 we live as one New York and that we celebrate
18 every culture like it deserves to be celebrated.
19 The Dominican Republic, there's a
20 Google Doodle -- I don't know if you went on
21 Google today. There is a Doodle celebrating the
22 Independence Day of the Dominican Republic today.
23 So it is fitting that we have such a
24 time on such an auspicious celebration.
25 Congratulations. Happy Independence Day. And
951
1 thank you for the resolution, Senator Sepúlveda.
2 I vote aye.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
4 Senator Bailey.
5 Senator Cleare on the resolution.
6 SENATOR CLEARE: Thank you,
7 Madam President.
8 Today I'm pleased to join in the
9 celebration of the 180th anniversary of the
10 independence of the Dominican Republic. Our
11 former mayor of New York City referred to
12 New York City as the gorgeous mosaic. And I have
13 to say that the Dominican community has certainly
14 added to that mosaic in many impactful and
15 beautiful ways.
16 Those efforts of 180 years ago have
17 resulted in a great contribution to the City of
18 New York and to my district, especially in
19 business, in culture, food, civic and political
20 engagement, healthcare, education, and it goes on
21 and on.
22 And Mr. Arroyo has been just a
23 fantastic addition in that contribution to our
24 community -- not just to the Dominican community,
25 but to all of us, to the disabled community and
952
1 to all New Yorkers. And I thank you for your
2 great work.
3 And Viva Dominicana Republica. And
4 that's the best I'm going to do today.
5 (Laughter.)
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
7 Senator Cleare.
8 Senator Weber on the resolution.
9 SENATOR WEBER: Thank you,
10 Madam President.
11 I want to thank Senator Sepúlveda
12 for introducing this great resolution here today.
13 Congratulations to Mr. Arroyo for
14 all your great work over the number of years.
15 You know, when my parents divorced
16 in 1982 my father, a number of years later,
17 married a Dominican woman from Baní. So I have a
18 stepbrother who's a police officer in New York
19 City who grew up, the majority of his life, in
20 the Dominican Republic. And throughout my life I
21 had the opportunity, the great opportunity to
22 visit the islands in the Dominican Republic a
23 number of times, and it was such a great
24 life-changing experience for me and for the rest
25 of my family to really involve ourselves in a
953
1 culture that was different than growing up as an
2 Irish Catholic boy in Pearl River.
3 So I appreciate, you know, all of
4 the culture in -- that the Dominican population
5 has contributed to the United States. And, you
6 know, now I represent a large Dominican
7 population in Rockland County, based mainly in
8 Haverstraw. This weekend we were able to
9 participate in celebrations of the independence
10 on February 27th -- we did it a couple of days
11 early. Johnny Ortiz, who's I think one of the
12 earliest Dominican councilmen I believe in the
13 United States, represents Haverstraw very well
14 and was really the spearhead of getting the
15 celebration underway on Saturday.
16 So I just want to again thank
17 Senator Sepúlveda for this great resolution. And
18 Happy Independence Day to my Dominican friends.
19 Thank you.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
21 Senator Weber.
22 Senator Ramos on the resolution.
23 SENATOR RAMOS: Thank you,
24 Madam President.
25 I rise to both honor my friend Que
954
1 and Quisqueya. I represent a district that used
2 to have a very large Dominican population. And
3 although it has greatly diminished over the
4 years -- and that is the story of my district;
5 it's the steppingstone for many immigrant
6 communities. And once they save up enough and
7 are able to buy homes in Long Island or upstate,
8 in Senator Weber's district, or even move to
9 New Jersey -- we certainly are very proud of the
10 Dominicans who remain and call Corona and
11 Jackson Heights home.
12 And certainly Que is very emblematic
13 of the Dominican pride and excellence that is
14 brought to work. And while being an advocate for
15 accessibility for the MTA myself, I'm very
16 appreciative of all of his advocacy over the
17 years. And hopefully in our lifetimes we will
18 see every MTA station with an elevator and an
19 escalator.
20 Thank you.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
22 Senator Ramos.
23 Senator Fernandez on the resolution.
24 SENATOR FERNANDEZ: Que lo que,
25 Madam President. I too wanted to take this to
955
1 celebrate with my Dominican neighbors on this Day
2 of Independence. As many of us -- everyone who
3 spoke has said, our communities have their
4 presence, their partnership and their love for
5 their community.
6 So I wanted to share my love and
7 appreciation on this great day and thank them for
8 their amazing contributions to each one of our
9 districts and to the great State of New York.
10 Happy Independence Day. Que viva la Republica
11 Dominicana!
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: To our
13 guests who are here for Dominican Independence
14 Day, we welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We
15 extend to you the privileges and courtesies of
16 the house.
17 Please be recognized.
18 (Standing ovation.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
20 Serrano, the resolution was previously adopted on
21 January 17th.
22 Senator Serrano.
23 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
24 Madam President.
25 Let's please take up previously
956
1 adopted Resolution 1764, by Senator Rolison,
2 please read that resolution title only, and call
3 on -- recognize Senator Rolison.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
5 Secretary will read.
6 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 1764, by
7 Senator Rolison, congratulating the Putnam Valley
8 High School Varsity Cheerleading Team upon the
9 occasion of capturing the New York State Public
10 High School Athletic Association Game Day
11 Cheerleading Championship.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
13 Rolison on the resolution.
14 SENATOR ROLISON: Thank you,
15 Madam President.
16 I'm really proud to congratulate and
17 introduce today Putnam Valley High School Varsity
18 Cheerleading Team and Coach Kelly Wilson. They
19 recently in November won the Class C State
20 Championship for Cheerleading with the New York
21 State High School Athletic Association.
22 Now, this was, as it is being
23 described, a 10-section showdown, which you won.
24 And this type of cheerleading celebrates the
25 traditional type. It's modeled after sideline
957
1 cheer routines and performed at sporting events.
2 Madam President, cheerleading is a
3 sport which demands athletic prowess, agility.
4 And Coach Kelly Wilson, who has coached
5 cheerleading at Putnam Valley High School for
6 eight years, worked hard to hone the skills of
7 this championship team, teaching these
8 outstanding athletes lessons which will prove
9 invaluable both on and off the field and court.
10 And Coach Kelly Wilson and all of
11 the outstanding athletes that are here today on
12 the Putnam Valley High School Varsity
13 Cheerleading Team have clearly, clearly,
14 Madam President, utilized dedication,
15 determination and teamwork in providing a lasting
16 contribution to the spirit of excellence which is
17 a tradition of their school.
18 Madam President, again, so very
19 proud to meet these outstanding athletes today
20 here at the Capitol. And would you please extend
21 the privileges of this distinguished house to
22 them.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Certainly,
24 Senator Rolison.
25 To our guests from Putnam Valley --
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1 cheerleaders extraordinaire -- I welcome you on
2 behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the
3 privileges and courtesies of the house.
4 Please rise and be recognized.
5 (Standing ovation.)
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
7 resolution was previously adopted on
8 January 17th.
9 Senator Serrano.
10 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
11 Madam President.
12 Let's please take up previously --
13 no, not previously adopted. Let's take up new
14 Resolution 1828, by Senator Harckham. Let's read
15 that resolution title only and call on
16 Senator Harckham.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
18 Secretary will read.
19 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 1828, by
20 Senator Harckham, mourning the death of
21 Ann Gallelli, distinguished citizen, public
22 servant, and devoted member of her community.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
24 Harckham on the resolution.
25 SENATOR HARCKHAM: Thank you,
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1 Madam President. And thank you, colleagues, for
2 entertaining this resolution today.
3 I rise to mourn the passing of a
4 friend and a colleague and someone who made an
5 incredible difference in the Hudson Valley,
6 Ann Gallelli. Some of you may remember Ann.
7 But I also want to stand today to
8 honor her and honor her body of work. You know,
9 we all have people in our community who make
10 extraordinary contributions. And if you look
11 back on the lifework of Ann and what she meant to
12 the Village of Croton, the Town of Cortland, the
13 Hudson Valley, it was remarkable -- more than
14 30 years of dedicated service and planning; the
15 Planning Board, the Comprehensive Plan Committee,
16 21 years on the Village Board, 11 years as Mayor.
17 Ten years with the Westchester Planning
18 Federation as a TED.
19 And you scroll down the list of
20 projects that Ann accomplished for the village,
21 it's impressive enough, but those of us in public
22 service who know what it takes to herd all the
23 cats, to get things across the line, these public
24 projects in small towns and villages to get the
25 funding, to get the zoning changed, to build a
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1 consensus -- Ann was an expert at that. And
2 there is a list of projects that's just quite
3 remarkable.
4 And I think the one that stands out
5 to me is Croton Landing Park, which I believe is
6 one of the jewels of the Hudson River to anybody
7 who's ever been there. But one of the amazing
8 accomplishments about it is that she stopped the
9 Millennium Pipeline from going through there.
10 And those of you who have ever opposed a pipeline
11 know you don't stop pipelines. Yet Ann stopped
12 the pipeline from going ashore in Croton Landing
13 Park. And that was a remarkable achievement.
14 And the legacy is a spectacular park that spits
15 out into the majestic Hudson. And that was her
16 vision. And that was just one example.
17 But the other thing about Ann was
18 her personality, just calm and steady. She had a
19 great sense of humor. I'll give you an example.
20 In 2019 we had a major storm, knocked out a lot
21 of the power in Northern Westchester. I was
22 doing a tour of the district, called the mayor.
23 I said, "Do you have some damage that you need us
24 to see?" And he said yes. And we get ready to
25 go on the tour, and he said, "The deputy mayor is
961
1 trapped in her home and there are live wires and
2 it's been 24 hours."
3 And so we drove over to Ann's house,
4 and it looked like a bomb hit the front yard.
5 There were all these massive trees, and the power
6 was out. And there was Ann, standing on the
7 street. Like, "Ann, you were trapped in your
8 house. What are you doing out here?" And she
9 said, "I wanted to see that my neighbors were
10 okay."
11 And that was Ann. Like I couldn't
12 figure out how she was going to get through the
13 downed trees and the live power lines. But she
14 found a way to get out because she wanted to make
15 sure the other people on her block were okay.
16 And that was Ann. And it's people
17 like that who just make our communities
18 remarkable places to live, who give themselves to
19 the community.
20 She's left by her husband, John, and
21 two of her kids are here today. John Jr. and
22 daughter Carla are here. And so please accept
23 our condolences.
24 But more importantly, I think,
25 please remember the vast amount of respect that
962
1 we had for Ann. And her mark on the Village of
2 Croton will never, ever be forgotten. Truly an
3 indelible mark by an incredible person.
4 So thank you, Madam Chair. I'll be
5 voting aye.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
7 Senator Harckham.
8 To the family of Ann Gallelli, we
9 welcome you. We extend our sincerest
10 condolences. Please rise and be recognized.
11 (Standing ovation.)
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
13 question is on the resolution. All in favor
14 signify by saying aye.
15 (Response of "Aye.")
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Opposed,
17 nay.
18 (No response.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
20 resolution is adopted.
21 Senator Serrano.
22 SENATOR SERRANO: At the request of
23 the sponsors, the resolutions are open for
24 cosponsorship.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
963
1 resolutions are open for cosponsorship. Should
2 you choose not to be a cosponsor on the
3 resolutions, please notify the desk.
4 Senator Serrano.
5 SENATOR SERRANO: Is there any
6 further business at the desk?
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: There is
8 no further business at the desk.
9 SENATOR SERRANO: I move to adjourn
10 until Wednesday, February 28th, at 12:00 p.m.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: On motion,
12 the Senate stands adjourned until Wednesday,
13 February 28th, at 12:00 p.m.
14 (Whereupon, at 4:36 p.m., the Senate
15 adjourned.)
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