Regular Session - March 17, 1999
1177
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
March 17, 1999
11:05 A.M.
REGULAR SESSION
SENATOR JOHN H. KUHL, JR., ACTING PRESIDENT
STEVEN BOGGESS, Secretary
1178
P R O C E E D I N G S
THE PRESIDENT: The Senate will
come to order. I ask all the members to take
their seats and staff to take their places.
And I'd ask everybody in the chamber to rise
and join me in saying the Pledge of Allegiance
to the flag.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
THE PRESIDENT: In the absence of
clergy, may we bow our heads in a moment of
silence.
(Whereupon, a moment of silence was
observed.)
THE PRESIDENT: The reading of
the journal.
THE SECRETARY: In Senate,
Tuesday, March 16, the Senate met pursuant to
adjournment. The Journal of Monday, March
15th, was read and approved.
On motion, Senate adjourned.
THE PRESIDENT: Hearing no
objections, the Journal stands approved as
read.
Presentation of petitions?
1179
Messages from the Assembly? Messages from the
Governor? Reports of standing
Committees? Senator Bruno?
SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President, I
believe there's a report from the Finance
Committee at the desk. I would ask that at
this time it be read.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read.
THE SECRETARY: Senator Stafford,
from the Committee on Finance, reports the
following nominations;
As a Member of the Board of Parole,
Daniel B. Reardon of Ilion.
THE PRESIDENT: The Chairman
recognizes Senator Seward on the nomination.
SENATOR SEWARD: Thank you very
much, Mr. President.
I am very pleased to rise to move
this confirmation of Daniel B. Reardon to be
a Member of the State Board of Parole. Dan
Reardon's a constituent of mine from the
Village of Ilion and Herkimer County. And I've
known Dan for many, many years. And I'm very
pleased with this nomination that the Governor
1180
has made of Dan to be a Member of this
important Board.
Dan Reardon has had a very
distinguished career in law enforcement. He
has served for ten years as the Herkimer
County Sheriff and the last four years as the
chief investigations with the New York State
Attorney General's Office.
On top of that very distinguished
law enforcement experience, Dan Reardon's what
I would call a people person. He has,
previous to his law enforcement career, he has
served in capacities which proved that very,
very well, as Executive Director of the
Herkimer County Youth Bureau and also
Executive Director of the Herkimer County
Office for the Aging.
He's been an instructor at two
community colleges as an adjunct instructor of
both in criminology and sociology.
There's no question in my mind that
Dan Reardon possesses all of the necessary
qualifications to be a Member of the Parole
Board. He's known throughout the Mohawk
Valley and throughout the state for his hard
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work, his good judgment and his commitment to
public service.
Mr. President, I urge all of the
Members to join in confirming Dan Reardon to
be a Member of the State Board of Parole. I
congratulate the Governor on an excellent
choice.
I congratulate Dan and his family.
I see his wife Joan and their two daughters
are in the gallery with Dan.
This is a great day for the Reardon
family and its a great day for the people of
the State of New York.
THE PRESIDENT: Is there any
other Member wishing to speak on the
nomination?
The Chair recognizes Senator
Nozzolio on the nomination.
SENATOR NOZZOLIO: Thank you, Mr.
President.
I rise in support of this
nomination that I think the Governor has
chosen an excellent individual with law
enforcement and administrative background to
handle what is a very, very difficult task as
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a Member of the Parole Commission, the Parole
Board.
Dan Reardon I've known for many,
many years. He served his county extremely
well. As Senator Seward has indicated in
moving this nomination, Dan has an excellent
law enforcement background and one that will
serve to be a great credit as he takes on this
extremely important responsibility.
I support the nomination, Mr.
President, and wish the nominee all the luck
in this new capacity.
THE PRESIDENT: Any other Member
wishing to speak on the nomination?
Hearing none, the question's on the
nomination of Daniel B. Reardon of Ilion to
become a Member of the State Board of Parole.
All of those in favor signify by
saying aye.
FROM THE FLOOR: Aye.
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay?
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The nominee is
confirmed.
We are very, very pleased to have
1183
Mr. Reardon in the Chamber with us, in the
balcony to the Members left, together with his
wife, Joan, their children Catherine and
Elizabeth, and Dan's sister, Cathy.
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will continue to read.
THE SECRETARY: As a Member of
the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,
Michael J. Chassanoff of Oyster Bay.
THE PRESIDENT: The questions on
the resolution of Michael J. Chassanoff to
become a Member of the Port Authority of New
York and New Jersey.
All those in favor signify by
saying aye?
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay?
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The nominee is
confirmed.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY: As a Member of
the State Environmental Board, Raymond M.
Christensen of Davenport Center and M. Peter
1184
Lanahan of Rexford.
THE PRESIDENT: The question is
on the nomination of Raymond M. Christensen
and Peter Lanahan to become members of the
State Environmental Board.
All those in favor signify by
saying aye?
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay?
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The nominees are
confirmed.
The Secretary will continue to
read.
THE SECRETARY: As a Member of
the Lake George Park Commission, Thomas
Conerty of Bolton Landing.
THE PRESIDENT: The question is
on the nomination of Thomas Conerty of Bolton
Landing to become a Member of the Lake George
Park Commission.
All those in favor signify by
saying aye?
(Response of "Aye.").
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay?
1185
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The nominee is
confirmed.
The Chair recognizes Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President,
can we at this time ask for an immediate
meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332?
THE PRESIDENT: There'll be an
immediate meeting of the Rules Committee.
Immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in
the Majority Conference Room, Room 332.
Immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in
the Majority Conference Room, Room 332.
The Secretary, continue to read the
report of the Finance Committee.
THE SECRETARY: As a Member of
the State Park, Recreation and Historic
Preservation Commission for the City of New
York, Theodore Roosevelt IV of Brooklyn.
THE PRESIDENT: The question is
on the nomination of Theodore Roosevelt IV of
Brooklyn, New York to become a Member of the
State Park, Recreation and Historic
Preservation Commission of the City of New
York.
1186
All those in favor signify by
saying aye?
(Response of "Aye.").
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay?
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The nominee's
confirmed.
Secretary will continue to read.
THE SECRETARY: As a Member of
the Steward Airport Commission, Thomas Schaaff
of Middletown.
THE PRESIDENT: The question is
on the nomination of Thomas Schaaff of
Middletown to become a Member of the Stewart
Airport Commission.
All those in favor signify by
saying aye?
(Response of "Aye.").
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay?
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The nominee is
confirmed.
The Secretary will continue to
read.
THE SECRETARY: Director of the
1187
New York State Urban Development Corporation,
J. Patrick Barrett of Manilus.
THE PRESIDENT: The Chair
recognizes Senator DeFrancisco on the
nomination.
SENATOR DEFRANCISCO: I rise in
support of the nomination of J. Patrick
Barrett for the position of Director of the
New York State Urban Development Corporation.
I've known Pat Barrett for many
years in many different capacities. And Pat
is truly the American success story. He was
born of very humble beginnings and actually
graduated from a high school with only 15
graduating seniors, almost like a one room
school house. From there he excelled in
everything he did.
He went to Sienna College for those
of you from the Albany area, and has never
forgotten the education he got from Sienna by
being very generous to that college and often
participating in activities to strengthen that
college and the academic curriculum of that
college.
He was Chairman and Chief Executive
1188
Officer of Avis. He's been involved in many,
many different businesses and has become one
of the most successful businessmen in the
State of New York.
His generosity is known from one
end of the state to the other. He's involved
with many charitable organizations. He's had
many directorships in various other
universities. And most importantly, his
charitable works that have not been recognized
because of the private nature of the
individual are limitless.
I rise and commend the Governor for
this outstanding nomination. And I'm sure the
State of New York will benefit from the
expertise and wisdom that Central New York has
benefitted from in the past.
THE PRESIDENT: Is there any
other Member wishing to speak on the
nomination?
Hearing none, the question is on
the nomination of J. Patrick Barrett of
Manlius to become a Director of the New York
State Urban Development Corporation.
All those in favor signify by
1189
saying aye?
(Response of "Aye.").
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay?
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The nominee is
confirmed.
The Secretary will continue to
read.
THE SECRETARY: Sheriff of
Orleans County, Merle R. Fredericks of Medina.
THE PRESIDENT: The Chair
recognizes Senator Maziarz on the nomination.
SENATOR MAZIARZ: Thank you very
much, Mr. President.
I would also like to note, Mr.
President, that we're joined in Senate Chamber
today by two of our colleagues from the New
York State Assembly, Assemblyman Charles
Nesbitt and Assembly Dave Seaman who together
represent Orleans County.
Mr. President, I'd like to rise
today in support of Governor Pataki's
nomination of Merle Fredericks.
Merle currently serves as the Under
Sheriff of Orleans County. He has a lifelong
1190
career in law enforcement. And quite frankly,
Mr. President, this nomination by Governor
Pataki was an easy one. Merle Fredericks was
the unanimous choice, not only of our State
Legislative Delegation, but also of the County
Legislature, the town, local officials in
Orleans County all unanimously supported the
appointment of Merle Fredericks to be the
Sheriff of Orleans County.
Its great that Merle was able to be
joined here today by his wife and his
children. And Merle, we certainly want to
congratulate you and I think I would be remiss
if I didn't note that this is kind of a
bittersweet time for you given that the fact
that your late father who served for many
years in law enforcement was the Under Sheriff
of Orleans County recently passed away. But
Merle, you can take a lot of pride in the fact
that even though your dad may not be here in
person and I know that he wanted to be, he's
here in spirit and he's going to be with you
during the rest of your lengthy career as the
Sheriff of Orleans County.
Mr. President, I rise in support of
1191
this nomination.
THE PRESIDENT: Is there any
other Member wishing to speak on the
nomination?
Hearing none, the question's on the
nomination of Merle R. Fredericks of Medina to
become the Sheriff of Orleans County.
All those in favor signify by
saying aye?
(Response of "Aye.)
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay?
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The nominee is
unanimously confirmed. We're very, very
pleased to have Sheriff Fredericks in the
gallery to your left with us today and also
the other four M. Fredericks, Mitsy and Mandy
and Merle II and Martin.
Congratulations, Sheriff. We know
from your experience which all of us have been
aware of that it will be safe in Orleans
County. And we will look forward to traveling
there despite what Senator Maziarz has told
us. So congratulations. Good luck. We look
to hear from good things from you.
1192
(Applause.) Reports of select
committees. Communications reports from
state officers. Motions and
resolutions. The Chair recognizes Senator
McGee. SENATOR McGEE: Thank you,
Mr. President. On page Number 5 I
offer the
following amendment to Calendar
Number 60, Senate Print Number 31, and on
behalf of Senator LaValle I ask that said bill
retain its place in the third reading
calendar.
THE PRESIDENT: The amendments
are received and adopted and the bill will
retain its place in the third reading
calendar.
Senator Bruno, we have one
substitution at the desk.
SENATOR BRUNO: Make the
substitution.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read the substitution.
THE SECRETARY: On page 20,
Senator Meier moves to discharge from the
Committee on Education, Assembly Bill Number
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3052 and substitute it for the identical third
reading Calendar 313.
THE PRESIDENT: Substitution's
ordered.
Senator Bruno?
SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President,
there's a privileged resolution at the desk.
I would ask that it be read in its entirety
and move for its immediate adoption.
THE PRESIDENT: There is a
privileged resolution by Senator Bruno at the
desk. The Secretary will read it in its
entirety.
THE SECRETARY: By Senator Bruno
Legislative Resolution honoring the life and
career of Joe DiMaggio, the Yankee Clipper,
and American hero.
And Wherereas, baseball fans
throughout the world awoke on March 8th to the
sad news that after a long and brave struggle,
Joe DiMaggio, the former New York Yankee and
Baseball Hall of Famer, affectionately known
by all as the Yankee Clipper, had died in his
home in Hollywood, Florida; and.
Wherereas, born on November 25,
1194
1914 in Martinez, California, the son of an
immigrant fisherman, Joe D. Commenced his
professional baseball career at the age of 17
with the San Francisco Seals in the Pacific
Coast League and in 1936 at the age of 21 he
introduced himself to the New York Yankees as
their starting center fielder, a position he
would occupy with grace, style and aplomb
until his retirement after the 1951 season;
and.
Whereas, during his long and
illustrious career, this American icon, the
consummate gentleman both on and off the
field, set the standard for three generations
of the New York Yankee tradition; he played
the game with skill and with class, with pride
in his performance, and with the elegance that
has been unmatched by any other player; and
Whereas, elected to the Baseball
Hall of Fame in 1955, joltin Joe DiMaggio won
three American League Most Valuable Player
Awards, appeared in 11 All Star Games, played
on ten American League pennant winners and
nine World Series champions, and he ended his
career with a .325 lifetime batting average
1195
with 361 home runs, striking out only 369
times in 6,821 at bats. However, his greatest
accomplishment is his 56 game consecutive
hitting streak in 1941, a feat that is
recognized as one of the greatest singular
accomplishments by any athlete in any sport
and which is to this day unmatched. The
Streak as it was called, riveted a nation and
is still recognized as a defining event in
baseball history; and.
Whereas, after his retirement as an
active player he immersed himself in raising
money for the Joe DiMaggio children's Hospital
in his hometown, making numerous public
appearances on its behalf, and returning to
the House that Ruth Built in support of his
beloved lifetime team. DiMaggio's mere
presence at opening day or at an old timer's
day electrified the New York crowd. The
loudest cheers were always reserved for the
appearance of the greatest living baseball
player and applause crescendoed from the
farthest seat in the center field bleachers to
the closest box seats behind home plate as he
jogged to his rightful spot of honor on the
1196
emerald green fields of Yankee Stadium; and.
Whereas, Joe DiMaggio, as a major
league baseball player and as a true American
hero, earned the right to be called an
immortal, and he will never be replaced. In
the words of the songwriter Paul Simon, it is
indeed a sad day for all baseball aficionados,
Yankee fans and all who cherish the manner in
which he lived his life, because indeed,
joltin Joe has left and gone away; now,
therefore, be it.
Resolved, that the Legislative Body
pause in its deliberations to reflect upon and
celebrate the legacy of a true American hero
and baseball legend, and today in respect of
his memory, recall the achievements of that
person who will forever be known as the center
fielder for the New York Yankees wearing
number five, Joe DiMaggio; and be it further
Resolved that copies of this
Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted
to the DiMaggio family members, the New York
Yankees, and the Baseball Hall of Fame in
Cooperstown, New York.
THE PRESIDENT: The Chair
1197
recognizes Senator Bruno on the Resolution.
SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President,
we've heard and know that Joe DiMaggio, the
Yankee Clipper, died on Monday March 8th at
his home in Hollywood, Florida at the age of
84. Joltin Joe, as he was called, was a true
New Yorker. He was a consummate gentleman. A
hero at a time when we in this state in this
country desperately needed a hero.
He was a son of an Italian
immigrant who arrived in New York in 1936 and
the height of the depression in this country.
And in his first game as we heard in his life
he was a star hitting, I believe, two doubles
and a triple in his very first time at bat.
When you talk about excellence, you
talk about Joe DiMaggio. When you talk about
a gentleman, you are remembering and reminded
of Joe DiMaggio. As a kid and many of you
here can remember from the time I could focus
on anyone in this country, it was Joe
DiMaggio. And when we followed his hitting
streak it was all the conversation with us
kids and as we were growing up. If you looked
up to anybody, it was Joe DiMaggio.
1198
They wrote songs about him.
Hemingway wrote about him. He was a hero
among heros. And when he passes as he has
passed, his legend goes on. And he was a
legend, literally, in his own time. And it is
just fitting that legislators like us and
groups all over the country will constantly
remember Joe DiMaggio, the outstanding
athlete, The outstanding gentleman, the person
who truly just personified grace and
greatness. And his passing is a real loss to
all of us, but we have his memory, we have his
record. It will be there with us forever.
I had the privilege and really one
of the greatest thrills in my life a few years
ago when I was at the opening game at Yankee
Stadium and I sat with Joe DiMaggio there
before the game. And he signed an autograph
for me very graciously. And I visited with
him for a few minutes. And it just struck me
how humble he was in just relating on a
personal basis, looking you right in the eye,
talking. And he had to be at the time, I
guess, 82. He went out to the mound and threw
in the first pitch. And it was right over the
1199
plate. And he jogged up to the catcher to
shake hands. And I thought what that is true
greatness at every stage and at every age. So
all of us can just remember him, not just for
all the athletic accomplishments, but for the
man that he was.
Mr. President, I would invite all
of my colleagues to join in signing on this
Resolution. And if any of you would not want
to be on it, would you please address the
desk. Otherwise, Mr. President, I would
recommend that all of us be on the Resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: The Chair will
direct that the Clerk put all the Members on
the Resolution as co-sponsors with the
exception of those individuals who indicate to
the desk that they don't wish to be
co-sponsors.
The Chair recognizes Senator Waldon
on the Resolution.
SENATOR WALDON: Thank you very
much, Mr. President.
First let me comment our esteemed
leader for so quickly bringing a comprehensive
1200
Resolution for our consideration on one of the
greatest Americans to ever live.
I did not have the benefit of
seeing Joe D play many times. One, I was too
young for my mother to let me go to that place
called the Bronx alone. So when we went to
Yankee Stadium, we sneaked and we didn't tell
her that we were there.
I recall a lot of things about him.
One, he played through pain. I remember when
he had the bone spurs in his heel and a lesser
man would not have put on the cleats to play.
And Joe D stuck it out.
I recall that he could have had an
even greater career in terms of numbers, but
he did not shirk his responsibility to his
nation at time of war and went into the
service on behalf of his country. But the
things that I remember most about him have to
do with grace, with dignity and with being the
kind of roll model that every kid every where
in America could identify with.
He was never seen in publicwithout
his suit and tie because he felt responsible
to set the example for the young kids who
1201
loved him so. was, despite the greatness of
Will Mayes, despite the greatness of Micky
Mantle, despite the greatness of Duke Snyder
who had a thing going on in sports in New York
at onetime in terms of competition, the single
most graceful ballplayer who suited up in a
baseball uniform I have ever seen.
I remember one game that I did see.
They were playing the Washington Senators.
And I don't remember the player's name, but
his nickname was Jungle Jim. He was a Cuban.
And he was a left handed hitter and he hit a
shot to center field straightaway at the
statues. And Joe D turned and with his back
to home plate gracefully strode and reached up
and caught the ball in full stride without
looking back. It was breathtaking. It was
heavenly.
So I went back to Brooklyn and I
practiced with a stick ball, running, trying
to do what Joe D had done. It is sad to lose
him. It is sad to lose him. But I'm glad that
we had him.
Thank you very much.
THE PRESIDENT: The Chair
1202
recognizes Senator Paterson on the Resolution.
SENATOR PATERSON: Thank you, Mr.
President.
And we would like to thank the
Majority Leader, Senator Bruno, for including
all the Members on this Resolution. And would
also like to point out that in the ensuing
bill that anyone that wants to be on the bill
can goup and notify the desk that they would
like to be on the bill in honor of one of our
nation's great athletes and great people, Joe
DiMaggio, who Senator Waldon so eloquently
spoke of.
Of all of the records in baseball
that were thought never to be broken, somehow
they all were. Babe Ruth's 60 home run record,
Roger Marris's 61 home run record. The record
of consecutive games played by Lou Gehrig was
just broken in the last couple of years. And
yet the one major record that still stands
unbroken was the 56 game hitting streak, in
other words, getting a hit in 56 consecutive
games attained by Joe DiMaggio in 1941. And a
little known fact is that in 1935 playing in
the minor leagues, Joe DiMaggio actually had a
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61 game hitting streak, the longest hitting
streak ever accrued by a baseball player in
the minor leagues. And this was only matched
by his personal style and his eloquence.
There's a story that in 1989 after
the terrible earthquake that took place during
the World Series in San Francisco that Joe
DiMaggio was seen on line behind 200 people
trying to get information about his sister who
lives in the area of the earthquake, not even
trying to be first on line, not even trying to
be treated specially or in any way equal to
the greatness that was felt by people. They
always would have stepped aside for him. But
he actually never asked that. So his humility
and his understanding of other people made him
just as great off the field as he was on the
field.
We are all very proud to go on the
Resolution, Senator Bruno. And the nickname
we always thought you were joltin Joe, but I
guess --actually that was Joe DiMaggio's
reputation.
Just the other day in the New York
Times, George Vessie, the columnist, said that
1204
he was in a hotel once, he was in an elevator
and he saw Joe DiMaggio walking up to the
elevator. And the elevator operator closed
the door right in front of him. And the
elevator started descending and Vessie said to
the elevator operator do you know who you just
left up there? And she said, "Sure I do.
That's Mr.Coffee."
So that was the kind of life that
he led and its terrific that we honored him.
And I'm very happy to see that he was honored
many times before this point. So he ended his
life knowing how much people appreciated him.
THE PRESIDENT: Questions on the
resolution.
All those in favor signifying by
saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.".
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay?
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The Resolution is
adopted.
Senator Bruno?
SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President,
can we return to reports of standing
1205
committees? And I believe there's a report of
the Rules Committee at the desk.
THE PRESIDENT: We will return to
the order of reports of standing committees.
There is a report of the Rules Committee at
the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY: Senator Bruno,
from the Committee on Rules reports the
following bill direct to third reading, Senate
Print 2405A, by Senator Maltese, an act to
amend the Highway Law in relation to
designating a portion of the state highway
system as to Joe DiMaggio Highway.
THE PRESIDENT: The motion is to
accept the report of the Rules Committee.
All those in favor signify by
saying aye?
(Response of "Aye.").
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay? No
response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The report is
accepted. The bills ordered directly to third
reading.
Senator Bruno?
1206
SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President,
can we at this time take up Calendar Number
326?
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read Calendar Number 326.
THE SECRETARY: In relation to
calendar Number 326, Senator Maltese moves to
discharge from the Committee on Rules Assembly
Bill Number 4559A and substitute it for the
identical third reading Calendar 326.
THE PRESIDENT: Substitution's
ordered. The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
326, by Member of the Assembly Silver,
Assembly Print 4559A, an act to amend the
Highway Law in relation to designating a
portion of the state highway system as the Joe
DiMaggio Highway.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill's before
the House.
The Chair recognizes Senator
Maltese on the bill.
SENATOR MALTESE: Mr. President,
the record of Joe DiMaggio speaks for itself.
Our Majority Leader has just touched upon the
1207
record in the Resolution that we've just
passed. I think the fact that all the Members
of this House, in both political parties have
agreed to join together in recognition of Joe
DiMaggio tells us something about the man and
his life.
This is a simple bill on its face.
Its simply indicates that a portion of the
highway system from Battery Place to West 72nd
Street would be designated in the state
highway system as Joe DiMaggio Highway.
I share the Majority Leader's
reminiscences about Joe DiMaggio and some of
the things that were said by my colleague Al
Waldon.
I remember as a young boy being
brought to Yankee Stadium in the late thirties
and seeing Joe DiMaggio play together with
Tommy Henrick and Bill Dicky and other's names
that have now gone into history, but still
remain with many of us and remain a part of
baseball history and American history.
Joe DiMaggio in the midst of his
career, I believe in 1944, at the height of
his career enlisted to serve in the United
1208
States Army and served in the United States
Army air force.
He was a true American hero. When
people speak of Joe DiMaggio, they don't only
speak about his baseball record. The words
that keep coming up are grace, a consummate
gentleman, areal American hero.
He was content, as was indicated by
Senator Paterson, to remain in the background
many times. To not grab for the spotlight.
He was apparently a modest,unassuming man who
sought deliberately to avoid the limelight and
carry on his life..
Mr. President, I'm proud to support
this bill. We have distributed for
co-sponsorship to member of both houses. It
presently has 40 co-sponsors. If all other
members would wish to join, we would welcome
them as a fitting tribute to a real American
hero, a great American hero, Joseph Paul
DiMaggio.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator
Marcellino on the bill.
SENATOR MARCELLINO: Thank you,
Mr. President.
1209
And I also rise to just reflect a
little bit. I heard about the death of Joe
DiMaggio when I was driving up from my home to
Albany. And I couldn't help but reflect at
the moment about what my father has said when
I was a young fellow, was watching baseball
with him. And we say Joe. And I only saw Joe
play in his later years. I didn't see him in
his prime. Well, my father kept pointing out,
he said this is a young man with class. This
is a young man who is a roll model for Italian
Americans. And one that he said if you could
achieve only a portion of what this person
achieved, worked as hard as this person worked
and showed the same kind of demeanor in all
you could do in all your life's work, he says
you'll go a long way towards being a good
citizen.
I remembered that and I remember my
father's words. He was very proud every time
Joe DiMaggio would come up and play a game
because he knew of the worth of the man and of
the quality of his behavior. So I often have
told my children the same message that this is
a person who will be remembered for many
1210
years, not just for Mr. Coffee and not just
for other things, but for class and for
gentility. And this kind of behavior that is
so lacking today in many of our sports
figures.
You have to remember the situation.
Joe DiMaggio, I think, made $100,000. That
was the most I believe he ever made in his
entire career as a prime year. In those years
if you had a good year your salary could go up
if you negotiated hard enough. But if you
were off, they lowered your pay. They reduced
salaries in those days. I can't remember
seeing that happen in recent years with any
sports situation. The salaries go up and up
regardless of the production of the figure.
Joe is a class act and something to
be thought of and something to remember and
someone to tell your children about because
this person really did a good thing.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Rath on
the legislation.
SENATOR RATH: Thank you, Mr.
President.
1211
Its moments like this in this
chamber that I've so often observed that we
share with each other some recollections and
vignettes that make all of us a little more
personally acquainted with each other. And
this, of course, being a great moment
recollecting a great American hero is one of
those times. And I'd like to share with you a
Rath family recollection of Joe DiMaggio.
My husband's uncle, Maurice
Sullivan, served with Joe DiMaggio in the
Second World War. They were very close
personal friends. My husband, of course, being
a young boy and a Yankee fan thought there was
nothing more important or noting greater than
Uncle Sully's letters when they would talk
about his friend Joe DiMaggio. Or the boxes
that would come from Uncle Sully with the
Yankee's memorabilia signed by Joe DiMaggio.
They're certainly part of the household
treasures in our household. And I would say
that of course the baseball, my children all
thought it was just any old baseball. I was
always trying to retrieve the Joe DiMaggio
baseball from out of the kids or the dog
1212
because they both thought it was a nice ball
to play with.
Fortunately the ball remains in
tact and as we remember a great man like that,
I think, Senator Maltese, your bringing
forward the dedication of a segment of
highway, people will drive down that segment
of highway and their children will be in the
back seat and they'll be reading what's along
the side of the road and they'll say mom or
day, who was Joe DiMaggio. And then there
will be an opportunity for that parent to say
the kinds of things that Senator Marcellino
has said, the kinds of comments made by our
Majority Leader and indeed Senator Waldon and
all of the Senators in this room who have
testified to a gentleman who was an example
and epitomized what we were looking for heros
in a time of our life when it was very
important to have strong American heros.
His legacy lives and will live long
after him. And I'm just hopeful I can keep
the baseball out of the hands of the
grandchildren.
Thank you.
1213
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Dollinger
on the bill.
SENATOR DOLLINGER: Thank you,
Mr. President.
I rise. I didn't know Joe
DiMaggio. Never saw him play. Never
collected his baseball cards.
I only rise today to look at the
irony of looking around this room and seeing
the abundance of green and recognize that on
this day when we celebrate our Irish heritage
we celebrate an Italian American, the son of
an Italian American fisherman.
And its a wonderful thing to look
around this chamber and see whose sitting next
to each other and recognize what it tells us
about America and what Joe D taught us about
American.
Skelos sits next Bruno. Stachowski
sits next to Mendez. Dollinger sits next to
Paterson.
There are places in the world where
people couldn't sit next to one another and in
fact, depending on how your name ended, what
the color of your skin was, what your ethnic
1214
or tribe was, you could be summarily executed.
And it still happens. We need look no further
than Kosovo to realize that the melting pot,
the benefit that we have here, is one that is
not shared throughout the world.
The fact that we recognize an
Italian American hero on a day we celebrate
the Irish is really a tremendous demonstration
about what this country means and what this
state means. Because if there is the upper
crust of the melting pot, it is right here in
New York. It started in Ellis Island and it
continues on this day when we celebrate a
great Italian American on a day that we
celebrate Irish Americans.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator
Schneiderman, on the bill.
SENATOR SCHNEIDERMAN: Thank you,
Mr. President.
On behalf of my constituents in the
30th Senate District, the home of the Joe
DiMaggio Highway, I want to say how much I
appreciate the comments that have gone forth
today. And its certainly one thing to reflect
in an era when professional athletes often
1215
display very little grace and humility. And
often display a kind of arrogance that you
really don't want young people to emulate to
reflect on the life of someone like Joe
DiMaggio.
We are working very hard to
actually build the Joe DiMaggio Highway now.
There's a major reconstruction project under
way. We're attempting to build a beautiful
park alongside the southern part of it and
hopefully with all of this continued support
we've got, we're getting from the state, we
will have a highway that is,if not as graceful
as Mr. DiMaggio, at least not something where
we will hear on the radio every day gridlock
on the DiMaggio Highway, hour long tie ups on
the DiMaggio Highway.
And I hope that the park which I
will continue to advocate for in this chamber
will get the support it needs and probably
will be able to provide a good location for a
statue at some point down the road.
I also note that my district also
extends into the Bronx and what we're very,
very honored and proud to have the highway in
1216
Manhattan, we're equally honored and proud to
make sure that the stadium Mr. DiMaggio graced
with his presence stays in the Bronx.
THE PRESIDENT: Is there any
other member wishing to speak on the bill?
The Secretary will read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes 59.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed. Senator Skelos.
SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President,
at this time could we take up the
non-controversial calendar?
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read the non-controversial calendar.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
57 by Senator Farley, Senate Print 1222, an
act to amend the Banking Law in relation to
security interest.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read the last section.
1217
THE SECRETARY: Section 2, this
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes 59.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
87 by Senator Stafford, Senate Print 774, an
act to amend the Public Authorities Law in
relation to authorizing the New York State
Olympic Regional Development Authority.
THE PRESIDENT: There's a Home
Rule message at the desk.
The Secretary will read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2, this
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes 59.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
180 by Senator Padavan, Senate Print 1400, an
1218
act to amend the Penal Law in relation to
possession of gambling devices.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 5, this
act shall take effect on the first day of
November.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes 59.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar 207 by
Senator Skelos, Senate Print 965, an act to
amend the Domestic Relations Law in relation
to disinterested persons.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 4, this
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes 59.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
1219
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
210 by Senator Johnson, Senate Print 1531, an
act to amend the Domestic Relations Law in
relation to visitation rights to infant
grandchildren.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2, this
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes 59.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
211 by Senator Lavalle, Senate Print 1621, an
act to amend the Domestic Relations Law and
the Family Court Act in relation to the
visitation rights of great-grandparents.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 3, this
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
1220
THE SECRETARY: Ayes 59.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
216 by Senator Balboni, Senate Print 1529, an
act to amend the General Obligations Law in
relation to notice provisions.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2, this
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes 59.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
224 by Senator Libous, Senate Print 2101A, an
act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law in
relation to parking spaces for handicapped
persons.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 4, this
act shall take effect January 1.
1221
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes 59.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
274 by Senator Farley, Senate Print 1780, an
act to amend the Public Officers Law in
relation to the power of the state legislators
to administer oaths of office.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2, this
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes 59.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
Senator Skelos, that completes the
reading of the non-controversial and I guess
controversial calendars.
SENATOR SKELOS: Thank you, Mr.
President. Is there any housekeeping at the
desk?
1222
THE PRESIDENT: We're clean, sir.
SENATOR SKELOS: There being no
further business, I move we adjourn until
Monday March 22nd at 3:00 p.m., intervening
days being legislative days.
THE PRESIDENT: Without objection
the Senate stands adjourned until Monday March
22nd at 3:00 p.m., intervening days to be
legislative days.
(Whereupon, at 11:50 a.m., the
Senate Adjourned.)