LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending George A. Grasso upon the occasion of
his designation as the Man of the Year at the Little Neck-Douglaston
Memorial Day Parade on May 25, 2009

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend
George A. Grasso upon the occasion of his designation as the Man of the
Year at the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade on May 25, 2009;
and
WHEREAS, In November 1979, George A. Grasso began his career with the
New York City Police Department working midnight tours as a patrolman in
various precincts in Queens and Brooklyn so he could attend evening
classes at St. John's Law School; and
WHEREAS, George A. Grasso rose steadily through the ranks, achieving
the uniform rank of Inspector before being promoted to Deputy Commis-
sioner of Legal Matters in 1997 and First Deputy Police Commissioner in
2002; and
WHEREAS, The second in command of the New York City Police Department,
George A. Grasso exercises oversight of the Department's interactions
with the criminal justice system, as well as its labor relations, budg-
et, personnel functions, and the disciplinary system; and
WHEREAS, In his previous position, George A. Grasso was the Chief
Legal Counsel of the New York City Police Department and oversaw the
Legal Bureau and the License Division, and monitored and facilitated the
relationship between the Department, the Criminal Justice System, and
the Corporation Counsel; and
WHEREAS, Following September 11, 2001, George A. Grasso was assigned
as the primary representative of the New York City Police Department at
the Federal Bureau of Investigation's New York Command Post, where he
was responsible for coordinating the flow of information to the Mayor
and the Police Commissioner with respect to the terrorist attacks and
related threats to the safety of the City of New York; and
WHEREAS, The President of the Police Management Institute Alumni Asso-
ciation from 2000 until 2004, George A. Grasso has been the recipient of
a multitude of awards, honors and certificates of recognition, acknowl-
edging his efforts of in-depth magnitude, including being the first and
only member of the NYPD to receive the Agency Counsel Recognition Award
from the New York City Law Department in 1997 and the Ellis Island Medal
of Honor Award in 2008; and
WHEREAS, George A. Grasso earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Econom-
ics from York College (CUNY) and a Juris Doctorate from St. John's
University; he has been licensed to practice law in the State of New
York since 1985 and admitted to practice law in the United States
Supreme Court in 2000; and
WHEREAS, A former Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at St. John's
University, George A. Grasso is a 1994 graduate of the Police Management
Institute at Columbia University Graduate School of Business, and a 1995
graduate of the CORO Leadership New York Program; and
WHEREAS, With George A. Grasso throughout have been his wife of 27
years, Regina, and their two sons, George and Joseph, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his many achieve-
ments; and

WHEREAS, it is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for George A. Grasso and to wish him
continued success in all of his future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend George A. Grasso upon the occasion of his designation as the Man
of the Year at the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade on May 25,
2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to George A. Grasso.