LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Ted Smetana
upon the occasion of his retirement after 36 years of distinguished
service to the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality and
sanctity of community life are cherished values, worthy of safeguarding,
and it is moved to honor those individuals who would serve to protect
them, lauding particularly their unwavering courage and dedication in
the daily performance of such duty to serve and protect; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Ted Smetana upon the occasion of his retirement
after 36 years of distinguished service to the New York State Senate;
and
WHEREAS, Ted Smetana honorably served his country as a member of the
United States Navy during World War II; upon his return, he graduated
from Long Island City High School and joined the New York State Police
in 1948; he served as an Officer, a Technical Sergeant and a Division of
State Police Diving Officer until his retirement in 1970; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Police SCUBA Unit is the oldest police
dive team in America, being in continuous operation for the past 77
years; at a time when SCUBA equipment was relatively new, Ted Smetana
attended the first diving school conducted by the New York State Police
Diving Division, in Ballston Lake, New York; and
WHEREAS, In 1952, Ted Smetana along with four other State Troopers
attended Navy Dive School at Bayonne, New Jersey; this resulted in the
New York State Police Diving Division conducting its own dive school
which was modeled on the training they received at Bayonne; and
WHEREAS, In 1960, Technical Sergeant Ted Smetana ran the first truly
modern State Police Diving School, which was held in Lake George, New
York; in this capacity, he was instrumental in upgrading the training
and equipment of the State Police diving operations; and
WHEREAS, He and his partner, Trooper Walt Hornberger, took it upon
themselves to properly test the State Police boats by placing cast iron
radiators in the boats to simulate the weight of the motor; they prompt-
ly sank, but as an officer at Division Headquarters said, "Of course, if
you put enough radiators in the Queen Mary, it will also sink!"; none-
theless, their "test" along with the cooperation and investigation by
the US Coast Guard, the inferior motorboats and rowboats of yore were
systematically replaced with "unsinkable Boston Whalers"; and
WHEREAS, After retiring from the New York State Police, Ted Smetana
began his illustrious career with the New York State Senate as Assistant
Sergeant-at-Arms which spanned 36 years; and
WHEREAS, Ted Smetana has faithfully executed his responsibilities,
serving with dedication, loyalty and compassion, justly earning the
respect and admiration of his superiors and fellow Sergeant-at-Arms
while providing the New York State Senators with the highest standards
of service and protection; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Wanda, and their
children, Mark, Cynthia, Christopher, and the late Susan, as well as
their three grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of
his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York is proud to join the New York State
Senate in expressing sincere appreciation to Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Ted
Smetana for his many years of devoted service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Ted Smetana upon the occasion of his

retirement after 36 years of distinguished service to the New York State
Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ted Smetana, 1508 Crescent Road, Clifton Park, New York
12065.