LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Michael T. Cornacchia, Esq. upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the Man of the Year Award by
the National Police Defense Foundation on May 5, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize those
individuals of preeminent character whose lives exemplify the highest
ideals of humanity and whose lifework and civic endeavor serve to
enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of
New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Michael T. Cornacchia, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Man of The Year Award by the National Police Defense
Foundation to be celebrated at its 2011 Annual Awards Dinner on Thurs-
day, May 5, 2011, at Russo's on the Bay in Howard Beach, New York; and
WHEREAS, A man of singular distinction, Michael T. Cornacchia has
continually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence
and diligent leadership in his unwavering service to his community and
profession and consequently has been designated for this most presti-
gious award; and
WHEREAS, Michael T. Cornacchia is a graduate of the Georgetown Univer-
sity School of Foreign Service and the Fordham University School of Law;
and
WHEREAS, Michael T. Cornacchia concentrates his Manhattan-based law
practice in criminal defense in federal and state courts within the
Tri-state area, as well as throughout the Nation; and
WHEREAS, Michael T. Cornacchia began his legal career as an Assistant
District Attorney for Suffolk County, New York, serving in the Major
Offense Bureau and Special Investigations Unit where he investigated and
tried homicide and public corruption cases; and
WHEREAS, Michael T. Cornacchia proudly serves as a counsel to the
National Police Defense Foundation, providing legal services on a volun-
tary basis, to men and women in law enforcement and their families; and
WHEREAS, For 23 of his 35 years as an attorney, Michael T. Cornacchia
served the public as a prosecutor; most recently, he was the Chief
Investigative Counsel for the commission when investigating the Oil-For-
Food Program which permitted Saddam Hussein to sell Iraq's oil, under
United Nations supervision, in order to purchase food and humanitarian
goods; and
WHEREAS, Operating from offices in Baghdad, Manhattan and Paris,
Michael T. Cornacchia's 100-person staff secured evidence of bribery and
kickbacks secretly received by Hussein to arm insurgents; and
WHEREAS, Michael T. Cornacchia served as an Assistant United States
Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, first as a Deputy Chief
of the Criminal Division, and, thereafter, as the Senior Litigation
Counsel for the Business and Securities Fraud Section; and
WHEREAS, Michael T. Cornacchia has dedicated his life to practicing
law for the people, for the community and for his country; he has shown
exemplary dedication to protecting the people with his brilliance and
expertise in the justice system; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, intellect and commitment as that demonstrated by Micha-
el T. Cornacchia over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence 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
honor Michael T. Cornacchia, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation
as recipient of the Man of the Year Award by the National Police Defense
Foundation on May 5, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Michael T. Cornacchia.