Senate Resolution No. 582

BY: Senator ADDABBO

COMMENDING Serphin R. Maltese, upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal,
the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this esteemed Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Serphin R.
Maltese, upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty
Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York
State Senate; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 17, Serphin R. Maltese enlisted in the United
States Marine Corps Reserves; upon completion of his military service,
he earned his Bachelor of Arts from Manhattan College through the
Regents Scholarship and the G.I. Bill; and

WHEREAS, Serphin R. Maltese is a United States Army Veteran of the
Korean War, serving in the 45th Infantry Division; he earned a War
Service Scholarship and obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Juris
Doctor (JD) from Fordham University School of Law; and

WHEREAS, In 1963, Serphin R. Maltese was admitted to the New York
State Bar Association and practiced before the United States Supreme
Court; he served as Assistant District Attorney and Deputy Chief of the
Homicide Bureau in Queens until 1988; and

WHEREAS, In November of 1988, Serphin R. Maltese was elected to the
New York State Senate where he served, with a record of perfect
attendance, for 10 terms until December 31, 2008; during this time, he
was Chairman of the Veterans, Consumer Protection, and Elections
Committees to name a few; in 2006, he was the only Senate Majority
Member from New York City on the Higher Education Committee;
additionally, he served in the Senate Leadership as Vice Chairman of the
Majority Conference; and

WHEREAS, Active in his community, Serphin R. Maltese is a lifetime
member of the American Legion, Catholic War Veterans, Korean War
Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American
Legion's National Legislative Council; he also serves various
organizations and boards besides advocating for veterans, senior
citizens, and middle-class individuals; and

WHEREAS, For his efforts to perpetuate the memory of Civil War
veterans, Serphin R. Maltese received the Sons of Union Veterans of the

Civil War Merit Award and was named 2009 Veteran of the Year by the
Allied Veterans of Greater Ridgewood and Glendale 71st Annual Memorial
Day Parade Committee; and

WHEREAS, Lifelong residents of Middle Village, Queens, Serphin R.
Maltese and his late wife of 63 years, Constance Mary (Del Vecchio),
were blessed with two daughters, Andrea and Leslie; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism, both at home and abroad,
Serphin R. Maltese demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended,
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State, and their
Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Serphin R. Maltese, upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Serphin R. Maltese.