State Senator John A. DeFrancisco is picutred with Van Buren Justice Ed Van Der Water and Mrs. Van Der Water at the 103rd New York State Magistrates Association Conference and Installation Banquet.  Senator DeFrancisco was the keynote speaker, and he received the 2012 Amicus Curiae Award from the NYS Magistrates Association for his commitment to town and village courts.  Senator DeFrancisco is the first-ever, non-judicial recipient of this new award.  The event was held at the Sheraton University Hotel in Syracuse on September 11th.