Regular Session - January 22, 2002
188
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
January 22, 2002
3:10 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
SENATOR MICHAEL A.L. BALBONI, Acting President
STEVEN M. BOGGESS, Secretary
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P R O C E E D I N G S
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: The
Senate will come to order.
I ask everyone present to please
rise and repeat with me the Pledge of
Allegiance.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: In the
absence of clergy, could we please bow our
heads for a moment of silence.
(Whereupon, the assemblage
respected a moment of silence.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY: In Senate,
Monday, January 21, the Senate met pursuant to
adjournment. The Journal of Saturday,
January 19, was read and approved. On motion,
Senate adjourned.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Without objection, the Journal stands approved
as read.
Senator Velella.
SENATOR VELELLA: Mr. President,
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there will be an immediate meeting of the
Aging Committee in the Majority Conference
Room.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Immediate meeting of the Committee on Aging in
the Senate Majority Room.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports from
state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
Senator Fuschillo.
SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Thank you,
Mr. President.
On behalf of Senator Volker, on
page number 5 I offer the following amendments
to Calendar Number 13, Senate Print Number
5793, and ask that said bill retain its place
on Third Reading Calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: The
amendments are received and adopted, and the
bill will retain its place on the Third
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Reading Calendar.
Senator Fuschillo.
SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Mr.
President, on behalf of Senator Volker, on
page number 5 I offer the following amendments
to Calendar Number 23, Senate Print Number
1533, and ask that said bill retain its place
on Third Reading Calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: The
amendments are received and adopted, and the
bill will retain its place on the Third
Reading Calendar.
Senator, do you have another
motion?
SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Yes, Mr.
President.
On behalf of Senator Nozzolio, I
move that the following bills be discharged
from their respective committees and be
recommitted with instructions to strike the
enacting clause: Senate Numbers 217A, 225,
3194, 3195B, and 5429.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: So
ordered.
Senator Velella.
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SENATOR VELELLA: Mr. President,
I believe there's a privileged resolution at
the desk by Senator McGee. I ask that the
title be read.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: The
Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY: By Senator McGee,
Legislative Resolution Number 3818,
commemorating the 20th anniversary of the
STOP-DWI Program.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator McGee.
SENATOR McGEE: Mr. President,
actually I think it's a wonderful idea that we
have this resolution on the 20th anniversary
of the STOP-DWI program. Certainly the
statistics have shown the importance of this
program and what a great job it has done in
being able to get the drunk driver off the
road.
So I would like to at this
opportunity ask that I could open the
resolution for sponsorship by the entire
Senate rather than just myself.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
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Without objection, the resolution will be
opened to any cosponsors.
SENATOR McGEE: Thank you so
much.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: The
question is on the resolution. All in favor
signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: All
those opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: The
resolution is adopted.
Senator Velella.
SENATOR VELELLA: Mr. President,
on behalf of Senator McGee, I believe the
resolution will be opened at the desk for
anyone who wishes to join in sponsoring it.
We'll put everyone on the
resolution unless they otherwise indicate to
the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Terrific, Senator Velella.
SENATOR VELELLA: If we could
proceed with the noncontroversial calendar.
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ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: The
Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2, by Senator Skelos, Senate Print 58, an act
to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules, in
relation to causes of action.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Read
the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect on the first day of
October.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Call
the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 43.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: The
bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3, by Senator Skelos, Senate Print 59, an act
to amend the Criminal Procedure Law, in
relation to evidence of identification.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Read
the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
act shall take effect on the first day of
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November.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Call
the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 45.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: The
bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4, by Senator Hoffmann, Senate Print 84, an
act to amend the Penal Law, in relation to
inciting to riot.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Read
the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect on the first day of
November.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Call
the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 44. Nays,
1. Senator Duane recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: The
bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
5, by Senator Volker, Senate Print 210, an act
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to amend the Criminal Procedure Law, in
relation to fingerprinting persons.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Read
the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect on the first day of
November.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Call
the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 46. Nays,
1. Senator Duane recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: The
bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
31, by Senator Volker, Senate Print 6040, an
act to amend the Tax Law, in relation to the
imposition of sales and compensating use taxes
by the County of Erie.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator Volker, why do you rise?
SENATOR VOLKER: Mr. President,
lay that bill aside until tomorrow, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Please
lay that bill aside for the day.
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THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
36, by Senator Morahan, Senate Print 2878B, an
act authorizing the Greenwood Lake Union Free
School District.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Read
the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Call
the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 47.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator Morahan.
SENATOR MORAHAN: Yes, thank you,
Mr. President.
I'd like to just make a brief
announcement that the Militia Association of
New York, under the auspices of the Division
of Military Affairs for the State of New York,
is hosting an event in the Well of the LOB,
and it has many of our services and a
presentation of memorabilia, activity of the
National Guard, other services, reserve
services around the State of New York.
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And I invite all to attend and go
through and see the exhibits and interview and
talk to people in the military service and in
the National Guard, and other discussions of
military affairs.
All are cordially welcomed, and I
invite you all to spend a little time. It's
on from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. today.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator Morahan voting in the affirmative, the
bill is now passed.
Senator Hassell-Thompson.
SENATOR HASSELL-THOMPSON: Yes,
thank you, Mr. President.
I rise to request unanimous consent
to be recorded in the negative on Calendar
Number 3, Senate Bill Number 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Without objection, your vote shall be so
recorded.
SENATOR VELELLA: Mr. President,
can the Senate stand at ease for a few
moments, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Thank
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you. The Senate will stand at ease
momentarily.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at
ease at 3:19 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened
at 3:24 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator Olga Mendez, why do you rise?
SENATOR MENDEZ: Yes, Mr.
President.
I feel very, very happy to have all
my colleagues here welcome today
representatives of the Marcian [ph] Society.
See, in the same fashion in which
we are very grateful to the efforts of George
Washington, the first president, Dominicans
are very proud of their efforts to forge a
democracy in the Dominican Republic by
Mr. Duarte, who is called the Father of the
Republic.
So they are here accompanied with
Assemblyman Espaillat, and I just wanted to
welcome them.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator, your remarks will be noted for the
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record.
Thank you all for joining us today.
It's great to have you here.
Assemblyman, nice of you to visit.
Hope you enjoy your day.
(Applause.)
SENATOR VELELLA: Mr. President,
if we can go to reports of standing
committees, I believe we have a report from
the Aging Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Reports of standing committees.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY: Senator Maziarz,
from the Committee on Aging, reports the
following bill direct to third reading:
Senate Print 3405, by Senator
Larkin, an act to amend the Real Property Tax
Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Without objection, all bills reported directly
to third reading.
SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator Bruno.
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SENATOR BRUNO: Can we at this
time return to motions and resolutions.
I believe I have a resolution at
the desk. We're going to read it in its
entirety and move for its immediate adoption.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Let us
return to motions and resolutions.
The Secretary will read the
resolution in its entirety.
THE SECRETARY: By Senator Bruno,
Legislative Resolution Number 3835,
memorializing the life and achievements of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and commemorating
the observance of the 17th National Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day.
"WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr., was born the grandson of a slave into a
segregated society in Atlanta, Georgia, on
January 15, 1929, and was instrumental in
formulating a policy which ultimately led the
American civil rights movement nationwide; and
"WHEREAS, In February 1968, shortly
before his untimely death, Dr. King spoke
about the inevitability of his death and hoped
that when we spoke of his life, we would not
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concentrate on his academic achievements
that he graduated from Morehouse College, that
he attended the Crozier Theological Seminary
and Boston University, where he earned a
doctorate in systematic theology; and
"WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr., won the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. He was
also the recipient of more than 300 awards for
his invaluable contribution to the improvement
of race relations in America; and
"WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr., believed that racial equality could be
achieved without violence. An apostle of
peace, he fought unrelentingly for the civil
rights of all Americans; and
"WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr., stands in a long line of great American
black leaders and represents the historical
culmination and the living embodiment of a
spirit of united purpose, rooted in black
African culture and in the American dream; and
"WHEREAS, Dr. King taught us that
through nonviolence, courage displaces fear,
love transforms hate, acceptance dissipates
prejudice, and mutual regard cancels enmity;
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and
"WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr., manifestly contributed to the cause of
America's freedom. His commitment to human
dignity is visibly mirrored in the spiritual,
economic, and political dimensions of the
civil rights movement; and
"WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr.'s life was devoted to the liberation of
his people. His courage transcended the
advocates of mindless retrenchment; and
"WHEREAS, Dr. King's life was
tragically ended by an assassin's bullet on
April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee; and
"WHEREAS, It is the sense of this
legislative body that the common and shared
responsibility of governance demands an
irrevocable commitment to the preservation and
enhancement of human dignity as exemplified by
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and
"WHEREAS, Upon the occasion of the
observance of the 34th anniversary of the
death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is
the intent of this legislative body to
commemorate the heroic efforts of Dr. King,
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who loved and served humanity, and who was an
advocate for peace, justice, and
righteousness; now, therefore, be it
"RESOLVED, that this legislative
body pause in its deliberations to memorialize
the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., and commemorate the observance of
the 17th National Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
on January 21, 2002; and be it further
"RESOLVED, That a copy of this
resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted
to the family of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President,
colleagues, yesterday we celebrated Dr. King's
Day here in the United States.
There hasn't been a greater role
model to anybody than Dr. King, Jr. When you
just think it's been 34 years since he was
killed while speaking. Thirty-four years. He
would have been 72 years old this year.
You think 34 years later about the
message that he delivered throughout the
United States and the world and how today it
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still rings so true. Equality, civility,
tolerance, understanding, peace, love, that
was his whole message.
And for delivering that message, he
was struck down by a mad person. And that's
the tragedy of people who are heroes, who
stand up for what they believe in, who are
willing to put their lives literally on the
line for what they believe in.
And as we heard in this resolution,
he was awarded, in 1964, the Nobel Peace
Prize. Now, you imagine a person whose
grandfather was a slave in Atlanta, Georgia,
growing up dealing with the world around him
as a child, as a teenager, making his way
through college, and then making his way in
the world -- and how does a person rise to the
level where people throughout the world listen
to the words that he has to speak? They were
words of brotherhood, love, affection,
compassion, sharing, caring.
Today, when there are terrorists
out there who would rip us apart with hatred,
this message is one that it is appropriate
that we all reflect on, as the world did
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yesterday, as we do today, and as we should
every day of our lives just remember a hero
like Dr. King, Jr., who literally gave his
life to help others understand that brotherly
love, sisterly love, caring, sharing,
improving the quality of life.
And, yes, he had a dream, and his
dream was that we all dream for a better life
and a better future. And we join him in that.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator Paterson.
SENATOR PATERSON: Thank you, Mr.
President.
And I want to thank Senator Bruno
for his remarks. They're very touching and
meaningful coming at a time like this, as our
whole country understands the loss of leaders
like Dr. King, who would, if he were in good
health, still be with us today at a time when
we need our greatest leaders to be here.
And we've lost so many, and so many
other civilians due to the acts of violence
and hatred and terrorism. The attack that we
all witnessed, a kind of a wake-up call for
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America, just a few months ago.
And with Senator Bruno's
indulgence, I just wanted to talk about
Dr. King for a moment and to say that
sometimes people say that his value is
condensed into two speeches, the "I have a
dream" speech and the speech in which he
predicts his own demise, known as the "drum
major" speech.
And I wanted to say that I went
back and read that speech yesterday, and I
realized for the whole 34 years, Senator
Bruno, I never really understood what Dr. King
was saying in that speech. And so I just
thought I would share it. Perhaps, if it
enlightened me, it might have some value here.
Dr. King begins the speech by
saying that at his funeral he doesn't want
anyone to talk about the 300 awards he
received, he doesn't want people to mention
that he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965, and
he doesn't want people to talk about his
leadership at the March on Washington. He
wanted people to say that he was a drum major
for justice.
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And in saying that, it sounds
almost as if Dr. King is acting in a fashion
in which there was some great humility that he
was expressing. And although he was an
extremely humble man, that's really not what
Dr. King was saying when he said he wanted to
be known as a drum major for justice.
He said that we are all drum majors
in our own lives, that we all want to lead the
parade in some way. We want to be in charge
of things, we want to be at the head of the
class. Sometimes we want to be first in the
heart of another person. And that that's a
natural instinct.
And he quoted Sigmund Freud, who
said that the natural compulsion of human
beings is their sexual satisfaction. Although
that sounds right to me, Dr. King went on to
say that Alfred Adler, the great psychologist,
amended Freud's theory to say that what people
really want is attention. They want that
understanding that they're important. It's as
natural an instinct as it is when you see a
baby that only cries and screams to be held or
to be fed.
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And when you've had these little
people walk around your household, you
recognize that they care about nothing but
themselves. They are not little bundles of
joy, they are little bundles of ego. And
Dr. King points that out in his speech, that
it's the most natural instinct of the human
being, to want to be noticed by another.
He then talks about the first
chapter of Mark -- Chapter 10, Verse 35, where
he talks about Jesus walking near Mount Zion
and running across James and John, who they
identify as the two sons of Zebedee, although
they don't tell us who Zebedee is. James and
John tell Jesus that "If you ever get to be
the King and rule over Mount Zion, we want to
sit at the left and the right of your throne.
We want to be right there with you."
And Dr. Martin Luther King is
admonishing that that might be considered to
be an arrogant, pompous thing to say to what
was the Messiah of the Christian religion,
that when he gets to ascend to the throne,
that these two young men thought that they
were so deserving that they should sit at his
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side.
But Dr. King then comes back and
reminds us that that is a natural instinct of
human beings, to want to be important, to want
to be at the head of the class.
And he then closes by saying that
if you want to be important, if you want to be
special, find that love through another's
care, find that love through service to
others.
And that is what Martin Luther King
did in this country at a time that was
nonpareil, and certainly was a shining example
for all of us today, that if those of us even
on the lower frequencies who are in public
service right here in this chamber certainly
can achieve it through our commitment to our
principles.
And certainly that's what Dr. King
did. He held his truths and his principles
above all things and above all issues. He
went ahead whether others agreed with him or
not, with his integrity as his only virtue.
And I think that that is the
fitting tribute that Senator Bruno has offered
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us through this resolution. And hopefully
speaking for all the members on the other
side, Senator, we richly endorse your
resolution and hope to be included in it.
SENATOR BRUNO: We would ask that
all the members that would care to join in
this resolution, please do so. And unless you
indicate otherwise, we will just add your name
to it.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator Marchi.
SENATOR MARCHI: Mr. President,
we should also take careful note of the
historical circumstances that Martin Luther
King was perfectly aware and knew about our
own history.
And the fact that a terrific
percentage of the people who started out from
Liverpool and from whatever the ports were
that were bringing the slaves over, the
presumptive role of a slave, never made it
because they died en route or, for the
temporal circumstances of the oceans and
tides, died before they were able to land.
And this is a great big number.
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Was there any response? They said,
Well, wasn't there a response on this cruel
act at that time? Well, in the early 1800s,
there were over 200 that just adjusted their
mouths so that they could not swallow food as
a way -- and this is a mute response to this
outrage. So the victims were perfectly aware
what had happened, and they died. They died
in Savannah, Georgia, in excess of 200 people.
The fact that our early
Constitution provided on a negotiated basis
because when it came to allotting
representation to the various states, how do
you count a slave? Do you factor that in in
your calculations in developing public policy?
And they arrived at 3/5 of a person as a basis
that grew out of valuation and negotiation.
So even then, at that point, those
who held differently were willing to negotiate
on a 3/5 basis, which gives you an indication
of what the frame of mind was and the great
strides that he represented.
He was aware of all these
circumstances, but he was not electing for
force and violence. He was electing to an
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intellectual and a spiritual and a moral
commitment to freedom. And both Senator Bruno
and Senator Paterson certainly stated it very
affirmatively, well. It was well stated.
And it is something that -- it's
not a repetitive ceremony that we go through
each year. It is something that should
sharpen our awareness about that tortuous path
which leads to fuller freedom and fuller
participation of all people in, well, seeking
our own way through life.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator Hassell-Thompson.
SENATOR HASSELL-THOMPSON: Thank
you, Mr. President.
To Senator Bruno, I truly
appreciate this resolution being brought
forth. And I appreciate the opportunity to
just make a couple of comments. Much of the
comments that I wanted to make Senator
Paterson referred to.
But one piece, we are all very
aware of certain of his speeches because of
their prose and the poetic nature in which the
man spoke and wrote. But one of the things
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that he said is a quote of Martin Luther. And
that was that peace for which he strove most
for was not the absence of war, but it's the
presence of justice.
And I think that as we go forward
and as we each year celebrate the life of a
man who has, as Senator Bruno has said, given
us the best example and role model to follow,
may we not use just that day but, as we sit in
those chambers, remember that peace is not
brought at the absence of war, but it is
brought in the presence of justice.
This is probably one of the most
emotional speeches I will make, because I have
attended probably seven of the Martin Luther
King celebrations this weekend. And as
Senator Paterson says, each time I hear the
speeches, each time I read his letter from a
Birmingham jail, each time I read many of the
writings that are not the more popular ones,
the essence is his cry for justice on the part
of each individual.
And each of us has the power,
particularly in this chamber, to make sure
that justice is at the head of the list of
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things that we strive for here in the New York
State Senate.
So again I thank you, Senator
Bruno, for putting forth this resolution, and
I certainly heartily support this resolution
today.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Well
said.
The question is on the resolution.
All in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: The
resolution is adopted.
As Senator Bruno had indicated, the
sponsorship will be open for this resolution.
Senator Montgomery.
SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Yes, Mr.
President. I would like unanimous consent to
be recorded in the negative on Calendars
Number 4 and 5, S84 and S210.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Without objection, you shall be so recorded.
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SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator Oppenheimer.
SENATOR OPPENHEIMER: Just a
question of the chair. Are we all going to be
recorded in the affirmative unless we express
to you we don't wish to be on the resolution?
Isn't that an easy
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator Oppenheimer, you're discussing the
resolution?
SENATOR OPPENHEIMER: The
resolution, yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Yes,
you will be placed on the resolution as
sponsors unless you do not want to be and
notify the chair.
SENATOR OPPENHEIMER: Okay.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator Mendez.
SENATOR MENDEZ: Yes, I would
like unanimous consent to be recorded in the
negative on Calendar Number 4 and Number 5.
Mr. President, if I may, since I
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have the floor now, listening to the
remembrance of Dr. King, it came to my mind
that after all is said and done -- and we have
done a tremendous amount of progress in
achieving justice and equality for many, many
American citizens. But the teachings of
Dr. King reminds me of what is, in my mind,
still the unmet agenda of this great country
of ours.
And that is his dream will come
true the day that every single American
citizen would feel very, very bad, very hurt,
and would spring into action upon knowing that
the right of another American citizen has been
denied.
And I think that we have done a lot
of progress, but that we still have some road
to travel.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: You
shall be so recorded in the negative on those
bills.
The resolution has been passed.
Senator Lachman, do you wish to
speak on the resolution, without objection?
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SENATOR LACHMAN: Yes, Mr.
President. I indicated that I would; I
obviously wasn't seen.
But after Senator Mendez spoke for
a few minutes, I'd like to be added as an
addendum to Senator Mendez.
Everything that was said about
Martin Luther King, Jr., was not only true but
accurate and should serve as a guideline for
us. But what I would like to state is that
his message of nonviolence is probably one of
the most powerful forces in this nation and in
the world.
And as we look around us and we see
violence in the Middle East, in Northern
Ireland, and we hope it will not come about
between two nuclear powers, India and
Pakistan, over Kashmir, we should always be
reminded that justice will prevail through
nonviolence, as much if not more so than
through violence, in this nation and in other
nations around this world.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Thank
you, Senator Lachman.
Senator Montgomery, why do you
219
rise?
SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Yes, Mr.
President. May I be allowed one minute to
speak on the resolution?
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Without objection, Senator Montgomery will
speak on the resolution.
SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Thank you.
I also want to join my colleagues
in thanking Senator Bruno for putting forth
this resolution regarding the contributions by
Dr. Martin Luther King to our country.
And I would just like to go on
record in adding to all of the other things
that have been said that Dr. King, in addition
to all of the other attributes that our
remarks contain, he was an intellectual giant.
He was extremely well read and used
and based his formula for protest and movement
on what he knew and understood about great
leaders of the world, wherever they were,
because he had studied and he had been
extremely thorough in his research, and to
come to an understanding was really
remarkable.
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The other aspect that I think is so
remarkable about him was that he, after much
consideration and trepidation -- and it must
have been an extremely difficult decision for
him to make, to in fact leave the potential of
being an extremely comfortable, middle-class
professor, perhaps in Yale or Harvard or
wherever, in Boston, and come back to the
South to wage a battle for which he would give
his life.
So I think there are so many
reasons and so many ways that we can celebrate
him and be proud of him. But certainly it's
for what he sacrificed ultimately that we're
so thankful for.
So thank you again, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Thank
you, Senator Montgomery.
For the members in the chamber, the
resolution of Dr. Martin Luther King has
passed. However, there has been an indication
from some members that they wish to continue
to speak. We welcome those indications.
Senator Nozzolio.
SENATOR NOZZOLIO: I simply rise
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to add my support for this enduring legacy of
Dr. King.
Also, to share with my colleagues
that there is another New Yorker who shared
Dr. King's vision, who was probably one that
inspired that Dr. King. And that is a
New Yorker from Auburn, New York, who led this
nation so that many who were enslaved could
become free. And that genuine American and
genuine New York heroine is Harriet Tubman.
And I think it's certainly
appropriate, in this tribute to Dr. King, that
we also pause to remember the sacrifices and
the courage and the strength of Harriet Tubman
and how we someday may be, in this house,
deciding to support the appropriate
recognitions to that great American heroine as
well.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: Thank
you, Senator Nozzolio.
SENATOR MORAHAN: Mr. President,
is there any housekeeping at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI:
Senator Morahan, I am informed that there is
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not.
SENATOR MORAHAN: That being the
case, I move that we adjourn until Wednesday,
January 23rd, at 11:00 a.m.
ACTING PRESIDENT BALBONI: On
motion, the Senate stands adjourned until
Wednesday, January 23rd, at 11:00 a.m.
(Whereupon, at 3:50 p.m., the
Senate adjourned.)