LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Joseph Occhipinti upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the International Humanitarian Award by
Gift of Life, Inc. on March 19, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individ-
uals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its
citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Joseph Occhipinti upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the International Humanitarian Award by Gift of Life, Inc., to be cele-
brated at its 41st Anniversary Crusade of the Heart Gala on Saturday,
March 19, 2016, in Garden City, New York; and
WHEREAS, For over four decades, The Gift of Life, Inc. has been saving
the lives of children from third world countries through the miracle of
open heart surgery; to date, more than 12,000 children worldwide have
received this lifesaving operation through the dedicated efforts of this
vital organization; and
WHEREAS, A native New Yorker, Joseph Occhipinti earned his bachelor's
degree from Brooklyn College after attending night classes; and
WHEREAS, In January 1969, Joseph Occhipinti enlisted in the United
States Army Reserves where he proudly served as a Military Policeman in
the 812 M.P. Company at Fort Hamilton, New York; six years later, he was
honorably discharged; and
WHEREAS, In March of 1972, Joseph Occhipinti joined the United States
Department of the Treasury as a Customs Patrol Officer where he was
assigned to investigate international drug trafficking and organized
crime in the New York City tri-state area; in this capacity, he compiled
one of the highest felony arrest and contraband seizure records in
Customs service history; and
WHEREAS, Two years later, Joseph Occhipinti was elected to the posi-
tion of President of the Federal Agents' Police Benevolent Association;
throughout his 18 years of service, he developed the association into
one of the largest federal police organizations in the tri-state area;
and
WHEREAS, Joseph Occhipinti was also credited with the introduction and
passage of a New York-New Jersey law which granted peace officer status
to federal agents; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, Joseph Occhipinti transferred to the Immigration and
Naturalization Service and became one of the country's leading experts
on ethnic organized crime and international smuggling; in 1979, he
worked undercover, infiltrating a major Dominican drug cartel which led
to one of the largest cocaine seizures in United States history; and
WHEREAS, In 1983, Joseph Occhipinti became the youngest agent to be
promoted to the esteemed rank of Chief of the New York City Anti-Smug-
gling Unit, a position from which he officially retired in 1990; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Joseph Occhipinti and his wife, Angela, established
the National Police Defense Foundation (NPDF) where he currently serves
as its volunteer Executive Director; the NPDF has grown to be one of the
largest police foundations in the United States that has expanded inter-
nationally to 12 foreign countries; and
WHEREAS, Today, the NPDF is comprised of over 200,000 members and
supporters worldwide; under the luminous guidance of Joseph Occhipinti
this vital organization strives to "Protect and Support" the efforts of
law enforcement through essential medical and legal support services

provided by the national law enforcement community, as well as several
NPDF law enforcement programs involving public safety and child safety
programs; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Occhipinti was instrumental in establishing the Safe
Cop program which posts rewards for public information leading to the
arrest and conviction of anyone who shoots a member law enforcement
officer; this successful reward program is credited for bringing many
cop killers nationwide to justice; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable man also established the internationally
renowned Operation Kids program which has distributed over 250,000 free
fingerprint/DNA kits to parents, posted rewards for missing children,
established Project Pedophile, funded many youth athletic events and
other related charitable endeavors for children, and granted over 75
scholarships to college bound students, as well as arranged life-saving
operations and medical treatment to critically and severely handicapped
children; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished career, Joseph Occhipinti has
been the recipient of numerous national and international awards and
accolades for his incredible service to his community and his profession
including an award from the United Nations, the Sol De Oro Award from
Ecuador, as well as three United States Attorney General Awards and 78
official commendations; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Joseph Occhipinti was overwhelmed to be granted
private audiences with both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Occhipinti has served on many executive board of
directors, and is a vital member of the New Jersey Policemen's Benevo-
lent Association, Fraternal Order of Police, American Legion, Federal
Law Enforcement Association, New York Police Department and New Jersey
Honor Legions, and many other organizations; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his loving wife of 43 years,
Angela, and their three devoted daughters, as well as six treasured
grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Joseph Occhipinti has displayed
throughout his life; 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
.SO DOC S R4109 RESO TEXT 2015
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Joseph Occhipinti upon the occasion of his designation as recipi-
ent of the International Humanitarian Award by Gift of Life, Inc. on
March 19, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joseph Occhipinti.