Senate Resolution No. 1751

BY: Senator TEDISCO

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 6, 2026, as Missing Persons Day in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to create public
awareness concerning the devastation which occurs as a result of the
unexplained disappearances of loved ones; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim Monday, April 6, 2026, as
Missing Persons Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Monday, April 6, 2026, is the observance of the 48th
Birthday of Suzanne Gloria Lyall, a University at Albany student who has
been missing since 1998; March 2, 2026, marked the 28th Anniversary of
her disappearance; and

WHEREAS, A bright, creative, and talented computer science student,
Suzanne G. Lyall touched countless lives with her poetry, radiant
personality, and cheerful, infectious smile; and

WHEREAS, The youngest of the three children of Mary and the late
Doug Lyall, Suzanne Gloria Lyall of Ballston Spa, New York, disappeared
at the age of 19, in the prime of her life, while preparing for a
brilliant future; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, legislation was enacted, requiring that all
colleges adopt plans for the investigation of reports of missing
students and violent felony offenses occurring on their campuses; it
further required that such plans include agreements with local police
agencies for coordination of these investigations; and

WHEREAS, This vital legislation also required the Division of
Criminal Justice Services to operate a toll-free 24-hour telephone
number that members of the public may call to obtain information about
available resources to assist with the location and recovery of missing
persons; and

WHEREAS, In 2000, New York State passed legislation known as
"Suzanne's Law," which provides for increased penalties for certain
crimes committed on school grounds; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York intends to make April 6, 2026, a day
of recognition of the need to enhance efforts to locate missing persons
in New York, noting the missing persons epidemic in this State and the
impact this epidemic has on the families, the people close to missing
individuals, and the community as a whole; and

WHEREAS, Several thousand people are labeled as missing in New York
State, many of whom are 18 years of age or older; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to attempt to
bring comfort to the family members of missing persons in the State of
New York who suffer from continuous grieving and are condemned to carry
the burden of uncertainty as a result of not knowing the true
circumstances of their loved ones' disappearances or whereabouts; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body reaffirms its ongoing crusade by
observing April 6, 2026, as Missing Persons Day in the State of New
York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 6, 2026, as Missing
Persons Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.