Regular Session - May 18, 2010
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1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
2
3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
5
6
7
8
9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 May 18, 2010
11 12:32 p.m.
12
13
14 REGULAR SESSION
15
16
17
18 SENATOR DAVID J. VALESKY, Acting President
19 ANGELO J. APONTE, Secretary
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21
22
23
24
25
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1 P R O C E E D I N G S
2 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
3 Senate will please come to order.
4 I ask everyone present to please
5 rise and recite with me the Pledge of
6 Allegiance.
7 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited
8 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
10 invocation this afternoon will be provided by
11 Imam Abdul-Rahman Yaki, of the Islamic Center
12 of the Capital District, in Schenectady.
13 IMAM YAKI: [In Arabic] In the
14 name of Allah, the beneficent and the
15 merciful. God, You are the merciful. Have
16 mercy on us, for Your mercy is perfect.
17 Forgive us, O Lord, for Your forgiveness
18 brings abundance and protection to all.
19 Protect us with Your perfect protection that
20 leaves none unprotected, and guide us with
21 Your guidance that leaves none unguided.
22 I ask that You bestow upon our
23 leaders the understanding to choose that which
24 is right, the fortitude to abstain from that
25 which is wrong, and the wisdom and guidance to
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1 lead us each to a prosperous future.
2 There may be times when the going
3 gets tough, when perhaps emotions run high.
4 Lord, bless them with the tools of
5 righteousness, unite them with the tools of
6 collectivity to see not only the interests of
7 their individual constituents and communities
8 but, most importantly, the wisdom to govern
9 our state and our nation collectively.
10 Ours is a nation of diversity. We
11 are indeed a microcosm of all the cultures of
12 the world. Lord, guide our leaders day and
13 night, through sickness and health, happiness
14 and sadness, so that they may not only
15 understand the problems facing our nation but,
16 most importantly, give a perfect solution for
17 the betterment of saving humanity.
18 The Koran emphasizes saving a human
19 life is as saving the entire humanity. Allah
20 says, in the Koran [in Arabic]. O Lord, grant
21 us the good in this world as well as good in
22 the hereafter, and protect us from the torment
23 of the fire.
24 I conclude this prayer with the
25 supplication of Abraham. He says, "Lord, You
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1 have knowledge of all that we conceal and all
2 that we reveal. Nothing on the earth or in
3 the heaven is hidden from You, God."
4 Lord, accept this prayer from us,
5 for You are all-hearing, all-knowing.
6 O Allah, bless our state, bless our people,
7 and bless our nation.
8 Amen.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
10 Reading of the Journal.
11 The Secretary will read.
12 THE SECRETARY: In Senate,
13 Monday, May 17, the Senate met pursuant to
14 adjournment. The Journal of Sunday, May 16,
15 was read and approved. On motion, Senate
16 adjourned.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
18 Without objection, the Journal stands approved
19 as read.
20 Presentation of petitions.
21 Messages from the Assembly.
22 Messages from the Governor.
23 Reports of standing committees.
24 Reports of select committees.
25 Communications and reports from
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1 state officers.
2 Motions and resolutions.
3 Senator Klein.
4 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I
5 believe there are substitutions at the desk.
6 I ask that we make the substitutions at this
7 time.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
9 Secretary will proceed with the substitutions.
10 THE SECRETARY: On page 12,
11 Senator Addabbo moves to discharge, from the
12 Committee on Elections, Assembly Bill Number
13 5707 and substitute it for the identical
14 Senate Bill Number 5029, Third Reading
15 Calendar 211.
16 On page 22, Senator C. Johnson
17 moves to discharge, from the Committee on
18 Consumer Protection, Assembly Bill Number 629
19 and substitute it for the identical Senate
20 Bill Number 2752, Third Reading Calendar 440.
21 On page 23, Senator C. Johnson
22 moves to discharge, from the Committee on
23 Investigations and Government Operations,
24 Assembly Bill Number 10771 and substitute it
25 for the identical Senate Bill Number 7329,
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1 Third Reading Calendar 452.
2 On page 27, Senator Aubertine moves
3 to discharge, from the Committee on
4 Agriculture, Assembly Bill Number 10556 and
5 substitute it for the identical Senate Bill
6 Number 7100, Third Reading Calendar 516.
7 On page 28, Senator Addabbo moves
8 to discharge, from the Committee on Elections,
9 Assembly Bill Number 8540 and substitute it
10 for the identical Senate Bill Number 7610,
11 Third Reading Calendar 529.
12 On page 29, Senator L. Krueger
13 moves to discharge, from the Committee on
14 Elections, Assembly Bill Number 8525 and
15 substitute it for the identical Senate Bill
16 Number 7742, Third Reading Calendar 530.
17 On page 29, Senator Squadron moves
18 to discharge, from the Committee on Consumer
19 Protection, Assembly Bill Number 1730C and
20 substitute it for the identical Senate Bill
21 Number 4313B, Third Reading Calendar 532.
22 And on page 30, Senator Aubertine
23 moves to discharge, from the Committee on
24 Energy and Telecommunications, Assembly Bill
25 Number 10551 and substitute it for the
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1 identical Senate Bill Number 7279, Third
2 Reading Calendar 541.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
4 Substitutions ordered.
5 Senator Klein.
6 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President,
7 there will be an immediate meeting of the
8 Finance Committee in the Majority Conference
9 Room.
10 Pending the return of the Finance
11 Committee, can we please stand at ease.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: There
13 is an immediate meeting of the Senate Finance
14 Committee in Room 332 of the Capitol.
15 The Senate will stand at ease
16 pending the return of the Finance Committee.
17 (Whereupon, the Senate stood at
18 ease at 12:38 p.m.)
19 (Whereupon, the Senate reconvened
20 at 12:57 p.m.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
22 Senator Klein.
23 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President,
24 can you please recognize Senator Foley for a
25 brief announcement.
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
2 Senator Foley.
3 SENATOR FOLEY: Thank you,
4 Mr. President.
5 As is the custom and tradition of
6 the Senate, we welcome those who come from
7 different parts of the state to watch our
8 proceedings here from the gallery.
9 And with that in mind, I'd like to
10 welcome to the New York State Senate the
11 Patchogue-Medford Robotics Team, who's
12 traveled all the way from Long Island to be
13 part of today's proceedings.
14 And the robotics team in that
15 particular school district has done great work
16 over the past number of years. It's also been
17 a way to fire up the imagination and
18 inspiration of students to get involved in the
19 fields of computer science, engineering and
20 mathematics.
21 So we want to welcome the
22 Patchogue-Medford Robotics Team here with us
23 today.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
25 you, Senator Foley.
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1 On behalf of Senator Foley and all
2 the members, welcome to our young men and
3 women who are visiting us today from Long
4 Island. Best wishes in your future endeavors.
5 (Applause.)
6 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
7 Senator Klein.
8 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, if
9 we could return to the order of reports of
10 standing committees, I believe there's a
11 report of the Judiciary Committee at the desk.
12 I ask that it be read at this time.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
14 Returning to the order of reports of standing
15 committees, there is a report of the Judiciary
16 Committee at the desk.
17 The Secretary will read.
18 THE SECRETARY: Senator Sampson,
19 from the Committee on Judiciary, reports the
20 following nomination.
21 As a judge of the Court of Claims,
22 Wayne Ozzi, of Staten Island.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
24 Senator Klein.
25 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, on
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1 behalf of Senator Sampson, could you please
2 move the nomination.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Are
4 there any other Senators who wish to be heard?
5 Senator Savino, on the nomination.
6 SENATOR SAVINO: Thank you,
7 Mr. President.
8 I'm very proud and happy to stand
9 here and second the nomination of Wayne Ozzi
10 as a Court of Claims judge for the State of
11 New York.
12 Wayne Ozzi is not just an asset to
13 Staten Island, he's an asset to all of
14 New York. He appeared before us earlier
15 today, and he touched on a few of the things
16 that he does. And in fact, I was reminded of
17 just how much Wayne Ozzi does for the people
18 of Staten Island and for the bar that he
19 serves.
20 He is the current temporary
21 president of the Richmond County Bar
22 Association. And you can see from his resume
23 that he has a long history in public service
24 dating back to the 1970s, including being with
25 Legal Services for New York.
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1 But he has not just been an asset
2 to Judge Bob Gigante, who he serves as the law
3 clerk in Staten Island. Also, in his capacity
4 at the Richmond County Bar, he approached
5 those of us who serve in office about putting
6 together a volunteer lawyers' project to deal
7 with the crisis of foreclosures in Staten
8 Island, and he led that pro bono effort.
9 He is an asset to all of us,
10 particularly in Staten Island. And because he
11 has so many fans among the Staten Island
12 delegation and the Legislature -- and I'm sure
13 Senator Lanza will say something about it --
14 the members of the Assembly who cannot be here
15 to speak on their behalf asked me to say a few
16 words about Wayne Ozzi, particularly
17 Assemblyman Matt Titone, who has known him his
18 entire life, both socially and professionally.
19 He's practiced before him in his capacity as
20 Judge Robert Gigante's law clerk.
21 And Matt just wants the world to
22 know that he believes that today is a great
23 day for the judiciary, it's a great day for
24 Wayne Ozzi and his family, and it's a great
25 day for Staten Island and New York State.
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1 Assemblyman Mike Cusick, who's
2 currently in a committee meeting, also
3 couldn't be here, and he sent me a text
4 message and said, "Please convey my
5 congratulations. Wayne is the best that
6 Staten Island has to offer, and we are all
7 proud of you." And his father, Judge Cusick,
8 is looking down and smiling now.
9 Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer
10 is also in a committee meeting. And as an
11 attorney who practices in Staten Island with
12 you, she has nothing but glowing things to say
13 about your reputation and what you'll bring to
14 the bench.
15 And as I said, today is a great day
16 for the judiciary, it's a great day for Staten
17 Island, it's a great day for Wayne and his
18 entire family. And they're all up there in
19 the balcony: his wife, Lucy; his son, Daniel;
20 his daughter, Michelle; his father, Dan; his
21 friend, Stephen Lauria; Debra Passarello,
22 Ronald Cerrachio, Jane Stilwell, Kevin
23 Elford -- of course -- John Gulino, our county
24 leader, and Bob Olivari, who's been a lifelong
25 friend.
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1 Congratulations. And I heartily
2 support this nomination to the Court of
3 Claims.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
5 you, Senator Savino.
6 Senator Lanza, on the nomination.
7 SENATOR LANZA: On the
8 nomination, thank you, Mr. President.
9 First let me associate myself with
10 the remarks from Senator Savino. This is a
11 good day for not only the people of Staten
12 Island but the people of the state.
13 And I want to foremost first and
14 foremost commend the Governor. This is a
15 great nomination. And we are very ecstatic
16 and happy about this on Staten Island, in a
17 very bipartisan way. And the reason that is
18 is because we know what a fabulous appointment
19 this is going to be for the people of
20 Staten Island.
21 You know, Wayne Ozzi is everything
22 you would want in a judge. And I really
23 believe, of all the things we do here in the
24 Senate, one of the most important
25 responsibilities that we have is this process.
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1 Because long after many of us are gone, the
2 legacy that we leave are those who serve on
3 the bench throughout this state. And you want
4 to make sure, more than anywhere else, that
5 you have the right people. Wayne Ozzi is the
6 right person.
7 Senator Savino talked about his
8 qualifications. They're numerous and they're
9 right and they're perfect for the position. I
10 just want to add that he's very smart, he
11 appreciates and loves the law.
12 But above all else that I know
13 about Wayne Ozzi, I think it's his decency
14 that really stands out. And he's got the
15 right demeanor, and I think that will make him
16 the perfect person to sit and preside in a
17 courtroom. And I know, because of all that,
18 that every litigant, every attorney and every
19 person that enters the courtroom where Wayne
20 Ozzi is the judge will be treated with
21 dignity, respect and fairness. And that's all
22 you can ask for.
23 And so as Senator Savino said, this
24 really is a happy occasion. And again, I want
25 to congratulate you. I'm going to have to get
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1 used to saying Judge Ozzi, Your Honor. You
2 deserve it. And more importantly, the people
3 of Staten Island deserve this.
4 I want to congratulate your family,
5 Lucy, Daniel, Michelle, and your dad, Dan, and
6 your friends. Again, this is a good day.
7 Senator Savino and I could not be any happier,
8 and I know the people of Staten Island are
9 going to be very happy about this as well.
10 Congratulations, Judge Ozzi.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
12 you, Senator Lanza.
13 Are there any other Senators
14 wishing to be heard?
15 Seeing none, the question is on the
16 motion to confirm the nomination of Wayne
17 Ozzi, of Staten Island, as a judge of the
18 New York State Court of Claims. All in favor
19 signify by saying aye.
20 (Response of "Aye.")
21 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
22 Opposed, nay.
23 (No response.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
25 motion carries. The nominee is confirmed.
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1 Judge Ozzi is joined in the gallery
2 today by his family. Congratulations.
3 (Applause.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
5 Senator Klein.
6 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I
7 believe there's a report of the Finance
8 Committee at the desk. I ask that it be read
9 at this time.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: There
11 is a report of the Finance Committee at the
12 desk.
13 The Secretary will read.
14 THE SECRETARY: Senator Kruger,
15 from the Committee on Finance, reports the
16 following nominations.
17 As a member of the Board of
18 Trustees of the State University of New York,
19 Marshall A. Lichtman, M.D., of Rochester.
20 As a member of the Adirondack Park
21 Agency, F. William Valentino, of Albany.
22 As a member of the New York State
23 Housing Finance Agency and director of the
24 State of New York Mortgage Agency, Karen A.
25 Phillips, of New York City.
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1 As members of the New York State
2 Thruway Authority, Jose Holguin-Veras, of
3 Clifton Park, and James Donald Rice, Jr., of
4 New York City.
5 As members of the Advisory Council
6 on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services,
7 Michael N. Martin, of North Tonawanda, and
8 Robert A. Ross, of Saranac Lake.
9 As a member of the Minority Health
10 Council, Nilda I. Soto, of the Bronx.
11 And as a member of the Board of
12 Visitors of the Capital District Developmental
13 Disabilities Services Office, Joan D. Taylor,
14 of Saratoga Springs.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
16 Senator Kruger.
17 SENATOR CARL KRUGER: Thank you,
18 Mr. President. Can we please move the
19 nominations.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Are
21 there any other Senators wishing to be heard
22 on the nominations?
23 Seeing none, the question is on the
24 motion to confirm the nominations. All in
25 favor signify by saying aye.
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1 (Response of "Aye.")
2 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
3 Opposed, nay.
4 (No response.)
5 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
6 motion carries. The nominees are confirmed.
7 Senator Klein.
8 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I
9 move to adopt the Resolution Calendar at this
10 time, with the exception of Senate Resolution
11 5323.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: All in
13 favor of adopting the Senate Resolution
14 Calendar, with the exception of the resolution
15 noted, signify by saying aye.
16 (Response of "Aye.")
17 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
18 Opposed, nay.
19 (No response.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
21 Resolution Calendar is adopted.
22 Senator Fuschillo.
23 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Mr.
24 President, a quick comment. I want to just
25 thank my colleague Senator Craig Johnson for
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1 his resolution today, 5333, critically
2 important for the City of New York and the
3 State of New York.
4 As we've read recently, the federal
5 government has shortchanged New York State
6 once again on federal money to combat
7 terrorism, especially in the City of New York.
8 And just recently, on this
9 Thursday, the ranking member of the Homeland
10 Security Committee, Peter King, met with Janet
11 Napolitano, and she never brought up the fact
12 that New York State has not vouched for some
13 of the monies, which Peter King said was
14 untrue. All of those dollars that New York
15 State has received has been vouched for, and
16 the programs are in existence.
17 So this resolution today by Senator
18 Johnson asking the federal government to
19 restore financial aid to combat terrorism in
20 the City of New York and in New York State is
21 critically important. I just vote aye and
22 thank him for the resolution.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
24 you, Senator Fuschillo.
25 Senator Craig Johnson.
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1 SENATOR CRAIG JOHNSON: Thank you
2 very much. And thank you, Senator Fuschillo.
3 I wasn't going to speak on this,
4 because I think the resolution speaks for
5 itself. I will simply say I'd like to open up
6 the resolution for all members to join if they
7 wish to do so, because I think it's critically
8 important that we as a body stand together,
9 stand as Republicans and Democrats, as they've
10 done so in Congress, to call upon our federal
11 government to make sure that we get the monies
12 yesterday necessary to protect our loved ones.
13 Just yesterday we honored the
14 individual who stood by and found that
15 explosive device in Times Square. And now we
16 have a federal government that's going to try
17 and take away our money and put all of our
18 loved ones at risk.
19 And so a resolution like this I
20 believe is critically important. I would urge
21 all members and I open it up for all members
22 to join. Thank you very much.
23 And thank you, Senator Fuschillo.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: At
25 Senator Johnson's request, the resolution will
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1 be open for cosponsorship to all members. Any
2 Senator wishing not to be a cosponsor of the
3 resolution should notify the desk.
4 Senator Klein.
5 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I
6 move to take up Senate Resolution Number 5323,
7 by Senator Peralta. I ask that the title of
8 the resolution be read and move for its
9 immediate adoption.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
11 Secretary will read.
12 THE SECRETARY: By Senator
13 Peralta, Legislative Resolution Number 5323,
14 commemorating the 199th anniversary of the
15 independence of the Republic of Paraguay.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: All in
17 favor of adopting the resolution signify by
18 saying aye.
19 (Response of "Aye.")
20 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
21 Opposed, nay.
22 (No response.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
24 resolution is adopted.
25 Senator Klein.
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1 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, at
2 this time I move to recall Senate Resolution
3 Number 5167, which was unanimously adopted on
4 May 12th. I ask that the resolution be read
5 in its entirety and that Senator Diaz have an
6 opportunity speak on his resolution.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
8 Secretary will read.
9 THE SECRETARY: By Senator Diaz.
10 Legislative Resolution Number 5167,
11 commemorating the second anniversary of Dr. Ma
12 Ying-jeou's Presidency of Taiwan.
13 "WHEREAS, May 20, 2010, will mark
14 the second anniversary of Dr. Ma Ying-jeou's
15 inauguration as the twelfth President of the
16 Republic of China (Taiwan); and
17 "WHEREAS, This Legislative Body
18 passed a resolution (Senate Number 4906) in
19 March of 2008 congratulating the people of
20 Taiwan for the successful conduct of their
21 fourth direct and democratic presidential
22 election; and
23 "WHEREAS, Taiwan is one of the
24 strongest democratic allies of the United
25 States in the Asia-Pacific region; and
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1 "WHEREAS, President Ma has
2 successfully enhanced mutual trust between the
3 United States and Taiwan since taking office;
4 and
5 "WHEREAS, Through cross-strait
6 dialogues and flexible diplomacy, President Ma
7 has transformed the Taiwan Strait from a major
8 international flashpoint into a cornerstone
9 for peace and prosperity for East Asia; and
10 "WHEREAS, The United States has
11 assisted Taiwan in participating in the World
12 Health Assembly as an observer in May of 2009,
13 and will continue supporting Taiwan's
14 meaningful participation in other United
15 Nations-affiliated organizations; and
16 "WHEREAS, President Ma took major
17 steps to enhance Taiwan's rule of law and
18 protection of human rights by ratifying the
19 International Covenant on Civil and Political
20 Rights and the International Covenant on
21 Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in May of
22 2009; and
23 "WHEREAS, President Ma is
24 determined to strengthen cooperation with the
25 United States in trade and investment,
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1 students and cultural exchanges, tourism,
2 scientific research, and many other areas; and
3 "WHEREAS, President Ma has
4 expressed his hope that Taiwan and the United
5 States will sign an extradition agreement,
6 implement visa-free courtesies for Taiwanese
7 travelers to the United States, and resume
8 negotiation on a Trade and Investment
9 Framework Agreement in the near future; and
10 "WHEREAS, The United States and
11 Taiwan share a close and long-standing
12 economic relationship, including $61.6 billion
13 of bilateral trade in 2008, making Taiwan the
14 ninth largest trading partner of the United
15 States; and
16 "WHEREAS, New York State exported
17 approximately $1.5 billion worth of products
18 to Taiwan in 2008, making Taiwan the eighth
19 largest foreign market for New York State; and
20 "WHEREAS, Many of the United
21 States' top 500 companies headquartered in
22 New York have invested in Taiwan, including
23 IBM, Pfizer, Corning, Citigroup, MetLife, J.P.
24 Morgan, and New York Life; and
25 "WHEREAS, The State of New York is
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1 home to a large and thriving Taiwanese
2 community, and has a maintained a friendly and
3 fruitful sister-state relationship with Taiwan
4 for many years; now, therefore, be it
5 "RESOLVED, That this Legislative
6 Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate
7 the second anniversary of President Ma
8 Ying-jeou's inauguration, and to express and
9 record its strong commitment to a closer
10 economic partnership with Taiwan."
11 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
12 Senator Diaz, on the resolution.
13 SENATOR DIAZ: Thank you,
14 Mr. President.
15 Ladies and gentlemen, I am very
16 honored and proud today that we in the
17 New York State Senate are commemorating the
18 second anniversary of President Ma Ying-jeou's
19 inauguration as President of Taiwan. This
20 commemoration is not only a personal
21 celebration for President Ma, but it is also a
22 celebration for democracy and a celebration
23 for the people of Taiwan.
24 The accomplishments, dedication and
25 determination shown by President Ma have
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1 yielded economic and cultural benefits for
2 Taiwan, for the United States, and for the
3 great State of New York. New York State and
4 New York City can also be proud today and
5 claim President Ma as one of their own, since
6 he obtained his master's in law degree from
7 New York University in 1976 and completed an
8 internship in a New York City law firm before
9 returning to Taiwan.
10 As we heard in the resolution,
11 ladies and gentlemen, Taiwan is the eighth
12 largest foreign market for New York State, and
13 many top New York companies such as IBM,
14 Citigroup, and J.P. Morgan have all invested
15 in Taiwan.
16 Mr. President and ladies and
17 gentlemen, we pause today to celebrate this
18 important occasion with three dignitaries from
19 Taiwan: Ambassador Andrew J.C. Kao, Director
20 General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural
21 Office in New York; Director Simon Sung; and
22 Director David Chien.
23 Ambassador Kao, Director Sung, and
24 Director Chien, I am pleased to welcome you
25 today to the New York State Senate chamber.
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1 Mr. President, ladies and
2 gentlemen, in closing, I want to once again
3 offer my sincere congratulations to President
4 Ma, to Ambassador Kao, to Directors Sung and
5 Chien, and to the people of Taiwan from the
6 New York State Senate on this very happy
7 occasion.
8 And I thank you, Mr. President, my
9 colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, for giving
10 me the opportunity to bring to this chamber
11 these distinguished people from the people of
12 Taiwan that have contributed to the economy of
13 this great state. And this resolution is open
14 for all the members to join on.
15 Thank you, Mr. President.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
17 you, Senator Diaz.
18 Senator Stavisky, on the
19 resolution.
20 SENATOR STAVISKY: Thank you,
21 Mr. President. And thank you, Senator Diaz,
22 for introducing this resolution.
23 And I too would like to welcome my
24 friends Ambassador Kao, David Chien and Simon
25 Sung to Albany. This is not their -- at least
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1 I know Simon has been here before. And to
2 tell you how proud I am, gentlemen, to
3 represent so many Asian-Americans in the
4 New York State Senate.
5 My district has more than a hundred
6 thousand people from that part of the world
7 who came to New York, who came to primarily
8 Flushing, seeking a better life. And they
9 have been such an important resource. They
10 brought with them a rich cultural heritage.
11 They brought with them their families, in some
12 cases. But they have transformed much of
13 Queens with their contributions both to the
14 economy but also to the social and political
15 life of our community.
16 We've always had a warm friendship
17 with the government of Taiwan. It is a strong
18 democracy in a part of the world where strong
19 democracies do not exist. Taiwan has been our
20 trading partner, an important trading partner
21 for New York State. I believe it's our eighth
22 most important trading partner.
23 But it also has revitalized the
24 community of Flushing. Approximately 30 years
25 ago, the stores in Flushing were boarded up,
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1 businesses were moving. And people originally
2 from Taiwan came to Flushing, and we've
3 seen -- we call it the renaissance. Flushing
4 is now a thriving community, construction is
5 going on, jobs are being created.
6 And this, I hope, can be replicated
7 throughout our state, because it's a message
8 of hope for the future. And Flushing has
9 become what we call a destination of choice,
10 and it is due in large part to the
11 contributions of the Asian-Americans who
12 settled in this part of Queens.
13 But particularly, today, we're
14 paying tribute to the Taiwanese government.
15 Ambassador Kao is the director general of the
16 Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, but he
17 carries the rank of ambassador. And some of
18 you are wondering; we don't have diplomatic
19 relations with Taiwan in the sense of
20 exchanging ambassadorships. And that, to me,
21 is unfortunate, because we have some such a
22 long-standing friendship with the people of
23 the Republic of China.
24 And I am so proud to welcome you to
25 our Capitol and to thank you for everything
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1 that you've done to make our country a better
2 country. And I look forward to working with
3 you in the days to come. [In Chinese.]
4 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
5 you, Senator Stavisky.
6 Senator Schneiderman.
7 SENATOR STAVISKY: And we have a
8 Mandarin-speaking State Senator here who I
9 hope will speak to us in English.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
11 Senator Schneiderman.
12 SENATOR SCHNEIDERMAN: Thank you,
13 Mr. President.
14 Senator Diaz wanted me to add a few
15 words. [In Chinese.] So we're very happy to
16 have you here.
17 I want to also mention that
18 President Ma, ladies and gentlemen, whose
19 anniversary we celebrate today, is someone who
20 knows politics well. And you're welcome here.
21 He was the mayor and was the first elected
22 with very, very -- 51 percent of the vote,
23 came back and won big and went on to great
24 success. He was a party leader, someone who
25 would be very comfortable here with us.
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1 So any time you want to come [in
2 Chinese].
3 Thank you, Mr. President.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
5 you, Senator Schneiderman.
6 Senator Padavan, on the resolution.
7 SENATOR PADAVAN: Thank you,
8 Mr. President.
9 And thank you, Senator Diaz, for
10 bringing this resolution before us again with
11 our guests that are here.
12 The sons and daughters of Taiwan
13 have made, as has already been said, the part
14 of Queens known as Flushing and its
15 surrounding areas one of the most dynamic
16 communities to be found anywhere in the
17 nation, not only economically but in terms of
18 art and culture, bringing to us -- and some
19 great food, great restaurants -- bringing to
20 us a way of life that was foreign to many but
21 today is so well accepted.
22 Political leaders -- our New York
23 City comptroller is a son of Taiwan. The
24 first Republican member of the City Council,
25 Peter Koo, a son of Taiwan. So inroads into
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1 our political process have been significant,
2 and all for the better.
3 And we thank you for being here.
4 We have many firms in Queens who not only
5 export but also import -- Crystal Window is
6 one that you're familiar with -- exporting
7 their products to China and to the mainland.
8 And that interchange of trade is fantastic,
9 it's good for everybody.
10 So thank you so very much for being
11 with us today.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
13 you, Senator Padavan.
14 Senator Duane.
15 SENATOR DUANE: Thank you very
16 much, Mr. President.
17 I'm very pleased and honored to be
18 in the presence of just wonderful leadership
19 from Taiwan. As many of you know, I've been a
20 visitor to Taiwan on more than one occasion.
21 And I admire their democracy, I admire their
22 freedom generally, and I also now have come to
23 know the innovative way in which they provide
24 healthcare, which I think has many lessons for
25 us here in the United States.
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1 So I am very happy about the
2 friendship between our state and Taiwan, and I
3 wish for that to continue and to grow for many
4 years to come.
5 Thank you, Mr. President.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
7 you, Senator Duane.
8 Senator Perkins.
9 SENATOR PERKINS: Thank you,
10 Mr. President.
11 I want to take a moment to extend
12 my welcomes and appreciation to the ambassador
13 and to his colleagues and the people of
14 Taiwan.
15 I join in recognizing President Ma
16 for his anniversary. I have had the privilege
17 of being his guest when I was in Taiwan at the
18 time he was the mayor, and he shared with us
19 his town, and we went to the city council
20 where he also shared with us what his city
21 council was doing.
22 I think the most memorable moment I
23 had with him was when we discussed jogging.
24 He is apparently an avid jogger. And in fact
25 when he visited New York City as a guest of
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1 now-Comptroller John Liu, we had made
2 arrangements to go jogging together -- but he
3 forgot his sneakers, he said.
4 So I want to tell you how much we
5 appreciate the fact that we have such an
6 important relationship with your country. We
7 look forward to seeing that relationship grow.
8 And if the president is in town, I'm looking
9 forward to sharing a loop around Central Park
10 with him if he has the time.
11 Thank you so much, and wonderful to
12 see you again.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
14 you, Senator Perkins.
15 Senator Squadron.
16 SENATOR SQUADRON: Thank you,
17 Mr. President.
18 I rise to join the chorus welcoming
19 our visitors and acknowledging the strong
20 relationship that we have. As the Senator who
21 represents Chinatown, in the heart of
22 Manhattan, which really is in many ways the
23 cultural center of the Chinese experience in
24 America for Chinese-Americans and visitors,
25 the relationship with Taiwan has for over a
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1 hundred years been extraordinary. The
2 relationship with what is now such an
3 important island nation is one that has really
4 helped define the cultural life of the Lower
5 East Side, the cultural life of New York City,
6 the cultural life of our state entirely.
7 And today is just another step in
8 what has been a relationship that has meant so
9 much for so many. And so it's a great honor
10 to have you and to share the State Senate's
11 sentiments that this is a relationship that we
12 all need, we all depend on, and we look
13 forward to having many decades more of.
14 Thank you so much for being here.
15 Thank you to Senator Diaz for sponsoring this
16 resolution and hosting you today.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
18 you, Senator Squadron.
19 As Senator Klein indicated, the
20 resolution was previously adopted by the
21 house.
22 Senator Diaz.
23 SENATOR DIAZ: Mr. President,
24 would you please allow Ambassador Kao to
25 address the chamber?
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: I will
2 certainly do that.
3 Before we do that, per your
4 request, the resolution is open to
5 cosponsorship by all members. Any Senator
6 wishing not to be a cosponsor should notify
7 the desk.
8 And at this point, and with
9 unanimous consent, I'd like to welcome
10 Ambassador Andrew J.C. Kao, director general
11 of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in
12 New York State, to say a few words.
13 Ambassador?
14 AMBASSADOR KAO: Honorable
15 President and all the Senators, good
16 afternoon.
17 On behalf of President Ma Ying-jeou
18 and the government of the Republic of China in
19 Taiwan, I take great pride and honor to
20 receive this resolution and also the good
21 comments from my friends in the Senate.
22 Certainly that I see the resolution
23 as a great encouragement and support from the
24 State of New York, and I truly believe that
25 with the continued joint efforts from our two
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1 sides, the already cordial relationship
2 between the United States and Taiwan will be
3 further strengthened.
4 Thank you so much. Thank you.
5 (Applause.)
6 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
7 Senator Klein.
8 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I
9 believe Senator Espada has a resolution at the
10 desk. I ask that the resolution be read in
11 its entirety and move for its immediate
12 adoption.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
14 Senator Klein, has this resolution been deemed
15 privileged and submitted by the office of the
16 Temporary President?
17 SENATOR KLEIN: Yes, it has,
18 Mr. President.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
20 Secretary will read.
21 THE SECRETARY: By Senators Klein
22 and Espada, legislative resolution celebrating
23 the life and legacy of Meg Felice Charlop,
24 distinguished citizen and devoted member of
25 the community.
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1 "WHEREAS, It is the custom of this
2 Legislative Body to pay tribute to the
3 citizens of the State of New York whose
4 lifework and civic endeavor served to enhance
5 the quality of life in their communities and
6 the great State of New York; and
7 "WHEREAS, Meg Felice Charlop died
8 tragically in a bicycle accident on Wednesday,
9 March 17, 2010. She was 57 years old; and
10 "WHEREAS, Meg Felice Charlop moved
11 to the Bronx in 1976, during the darkest days
12 of the borough's history, and worked as a
13 community and housing organizer in the
14 Morrisania section of the Bronx; and
15 "WHEREAS, Meg Felice Charlop worked
16 as a housing organizer and administrator for
17 the Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation; and
18 "WHEREAS, For the last 26 years,
19 Meg Felice Charlop worked for the Montefiore
20 Medical Center where she was a borough-wide,
21 citywide, and national leader in the fight
22 against childhood lead poisoning; and
23 "WHEREAS, Meg Felice Charlop
24 conceived of the idea and founded the
25 Montefiore Hospital Lead Safe House, the first
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1 in the City of New York and a citywide model
2 funded by the former Bronx borough president,
3 Fernando Ferrer; and
4 "WHEREAS, Since 1992, Meg Felice
5 Charlop was employed as the director of
6 community health for the Montefiore Hospital
7 school-based health program, where she worked
8 tirelessly to develop and promote health
9 education programs for the public school
10 children of the Bronx and advocated for policy
11 initiatives to help make the Bronx and the
12 city a healthier place to live; and
13 "WHEREAS, Meg Felice Charlop
14 actively promoted bicycle riding as an
15 alternative mode of transportation and a means
16 to promote a healthy lifestyle. She was
17 regularly seen riding her bike throughout the
18 Bronx and to meetings in Manhattan; and
19 "WHEREAS, Meg Felice Charlop was
20 honored as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Bronx
21 Rotary Club Gift for Life Program and as a
22 Bronx Mother of the Year by former Mayor David
23 Dinkins; and
24 "WHEREAS, Meg Felice Charlop lived
25 and was employed her entire adult life in the
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1 Bronx, always working tirelessly and
2 passionately to make it a better and healthier
3 place to live and work; and
4 "WHEREAS, Meg Felice Charlop and
5 her husband, Richard Powers, raised their four
6 children, Sarah, Zachary, Rachel and Aaron, in
7 the Bronx and educated them in New York City
8 public schools. They all survive her, as well
9 as three foster children, Chanda, Alicia, and
10 Chris; and
11 "WHEREAS, Meg Felice Charlop leaves
12 behind a legacy of love, commitment and
13 community involvement which inspires us to
14 continue to support and fight for the causes
15 which she so passionately believed in and
16 worked so tirelessly for; now, therefore, be
17 it
18 "RESOLVED, That this Legislative
19 Body pause in its deliberations to celebrate
20 the life and accomplishments of Meg Felice
21 Charlop, distinguished citizen and devoted and
22 beloved member of her community; and be it
23 further
24 "RESOLVED, That copies of this
25 resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted
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1 to the family of Meg Felice Charlop."
2 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
3 Senator Espada, on the resolution.
4 SENATOR ESPADA: Thank you,
5 Mr. President.
6 And certainly I want to thank
7 Senator Klein and the house for giving me the
8 opportunity to share some words regarding Meg
9 Felice Charlop.
10 It was during the darkest moments
11 of our beloved Bronx that I met Meg. And she
12 took on the challenge of turning the burning
13 Bronx, then the symbol of urban decay in the
14 United States of America, into truly a story
15 of urban renewal and renaissance, such that
16 today there isn't a large tract of land that
17 is vacant in the Bronx.
18 But it didn't stop there. All of
19 her children, proud products of our public
20 school system, her and her husband Richard did
21 a great job with those children. But she
22 always found time to do something for other
23 children, leading the fight against childhood
24 lead poisoning and involving herself in
25 school-based health programs throughout the
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1 Bronx.
2 It was indeed a tragic and
3 premature death, but it was a heroic life that
4 we celebrate today. And we thank this chamber
5 for giving us the opportunity to pay homage to
6 this fine, wonderful lady.
7 Thank you.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
9 you, Senator Espada.
10 Senator Klein, on the resolution.
11 SENATOR KLEIN: Thank you,
12 Mr. President.
13 It's my pleasure to join my
14 colleague Senator Espada in remembering the
15 life of Megan Charlop.
16 I've also had the opportunity to
17 know and work with Megan many years ago. In a
18 previous life, I was in charge of a lead paint
19 litigation unit in a law firm in Manhattan,
20 and I had the opportunity to work with Megan.
21 While others were doubting the
22 causation between children eating lead paint
23 chips and all types of problems with motor
24 skills and IQ scores, Megan was a fighter.
25 She understood early on the horrible
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1 circumstances that were taking place in our
2 communities, especially communities of color,
3 when children were ingesting lead paint.
4 She was a leader in this movement,
5 and I was very proud of the fact that I was
6 actually at the ribbon cutting when she
7 founded the Montefiore Hospital Lead Paint
8 Safe House, which was the first in New York
9 City.
10 She's someone who was dubbed the
11 "Mother Teresa of the Bronx." She's someone
12 who was also always there to lend a helping
13 hand. And I think each and every day, when
14 she got up in the morning, her only goal was
15 to make a positive difference in people's
16 lives.
17 I know Senator Montgomery, in our
18 house, is certainly one of the big supporters
19 of child health-based clinics in schools.
20 Well, Megan really led that cause in the
21 Bronx. And when I was a member of the
22 Assembly, I was very proud to open up several
23 in Norwood schools, the area where Megan lived
24 with her family.
25 I know we're joined here today by
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1 Megan's daughter, Sarah Charlop Powers. And I
2 know all of us, especially myself, who had the
3 opportunity to know Megan for many years, I
4 know her daughter should be very, very proud,
5 because she was someone who really changed the
6 way people looked at lead paint poisoning,
7 changed the way children received healthcare,
8 especially in the Bronx, and she's someone who
9 I believe I'm a better person for having met
10 Megan Charlop.
11 So thank you for letting me say a
12 few words, Mr. President.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
14 you, Senator Klein.
15 Senator Stewart-Cousins, on the
16 resolution.
17 SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS: Thank
18 you, Mr. President.
19 I had heard about what happened to
20 this extraordinary woman. And certainly
21 recognize her daughter as having been very
22 important in Yonkers as we move forward in our
23 development on the waterfront.
24 But not having known her mom,
25 knowing the legacy, knowing the interest that
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1 she had in all things community and all
2 people, I just wanted to say that we do have
3 legislation moving through both houses that
4 address the cause of death. And I believe she
5 was cycling and was hit by a bus.
6 So I say this only to say that we
7 are conscious of types of hazards that could
8 befall cyclists and are trying to do something
9 that it will be safer for people to engage in
10 what would ordinarily be a healthy activity,
11 not only for themselves personally but for the
12 environment.
13 So although this wonderful woman is
14 gone, I am hoping that one of the things we
15 will be able to do in this Legislature is make
16 it safer for people like your mom, who enjoyed
17 riding her bike, and that in that way her
18 legacy will again be continued and remembered.
19 Thank you.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
21 you, Senator Stewart-Cousins.
22 Senator Perkins.
23 SENATOR PERKINS: Thank you very
24 much.
25 I just want to first acknowledge
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1 the family for the wonderful work that your
2 mother has given. Far beyond where she may
3 have lived, her reputation was huge.
4 One of the great movements that
5 took place in our city was the childhood lead
6 paint poisoning prevention movement, which was
7 a movement that had great resistance. It was
8 sort of like a David and Goliath story because
9 of those who were opposed to seeing that type
10 of legislation that was so important to our
11 children become law.
12 I know that she was in league with
13 Lucy Billings, who is now a Supreme Court
14 judge, and as well as Cordell Cleare, who's my
15 chief of staff. They were amongst those whose
16 children were poisoned. But instead of
17 turning away in despair and cynicism, they
18 turned towards government, they turned towards
19 community organizing and community leadership
20 to make a better day for not only their
21 children but, more importantly, for the
22 children that might unfortunately be exposed
23 to that type of poisoning.
24 So she has a great legacy for us to
25 remember here today. And in fact, I'm honored
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1 to say we have a childhood lead paint
2 poisoning bill in this Legislature that we are
3 deliberating on that will take her movement to
4 a statewide level, and hopefully we'll be able
5 to do in the state what we were able to do in
6 New York City and save more children from the
7 hazards of childhood lead paint poisoning.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
9 you, Senator Perkins.
10 Are there any other Senators who
11 wish to be heard?
12 Seeing none, the question is on the
13 resolution. All in favor please signify by
14 saying aye.
15 (Response of "Aye.")
16 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
17 Opposed, nay.
18 (No response.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
20 resolution is adopted.
21 Senator Klein.
22 SENATOR KLEIN: Thank you,
23 Mr. President.
24 I believe Senator Breslin has a
25 resolution at the desk. I ask that the title
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1 of the resolution be read and move for its
2 immediate adoption.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
4 Senator Klein, has this resolution been deemed
5 privileged and submitted by the office of the
6 Temporary President?
7 SENATOR KLEIN: Yes, it has,
8 Mr. President.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
10 Secretary will read.
11 THE SECRETARY: By Senator
12 Breslin, legislative resolution congratulating
13 Rachele Prawdzik upon the occasion of her
14 designation as Teenager of the Year by the
15 Colonie Elks Lodge.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
17 question is on the resolution. All in favor
18 signify by saying aye.
19 (Response of "Aye.")
20 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
21 Opposed, nay.
22 (No response.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
24 resolution is adopted.
25 Senator Klein.
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1 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I
2 believe Senator Breslin has another resolution
3 at the desk. I ask that the title of the
4 resolution be read and move for its immediate
5 adoption.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
7 Senator Klein, has this resolution been deemed
8 privileged and submitted by the office of the
9 Temporary President?
10 SENATOR KLEIN: Yes, it has,
11 Mr. President.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
13 Secretary will read.
14 THE SECRETARY: By Senator
15 Breslin, legislative resolution congratulating
16 James Burr of Shaker High School upon the
17 occasion of his designation as Teenager of the
18 Year by the Colonie Elks Lodge.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
20 question is on the resolution. All in favor
21 signify by saying aye.
22 (Response of "Aye.")
23 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
24 Opposed, nay.
25 (No response.)
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
2 resolution is adopted.
3 Senator Klein.
4 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I
5 believe Senator Parker has a resolution at the
6 desk. I ask that the title of the resolution
7 be read and move for its immediate adoption.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
9 Senator Klein, has this resolution been deemed
10 privileged and submitted by the office of the
11 Temporary President?
12 SENATOR KLEIN: Yes, it has,
13 Mr. President.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
15 Secretary will read.
16 THE SECRETARY: By Senator
17 Parker, legislative resolution commemorating
18 the 257th birthday of Francois Touissant
19 L'Ouverture, leader of the Haitian Revolution.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
21 Senator Parker, on the resolution.
22 SENATOR PARKER: Thank you,
23 Mr. President.
24 On May 20th we will be celebrating
25 the birthday of Francois Touissant
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1 L'Ouverture, the head of the Haitian
2 Revolution.
3 Really, in the way we would think
4 about him, he would be the George Washington
5 of Haiti. He is someone who, under great
6 odds, led this small country to the first
7 successful revolt of any Caribbean nation, one
8 of the most successful revolts, really, in the
9 world's history in terms of throwing off the
10 yoke of oppression.
11 He got a great deal of inspiration
12 from his father, who was born free in Africa,
13 and understood that slavery and bondage and
14 oppression was not a natural state for people.
15 He took the things that he had learned, you
16 know, being in captivity and really not just
17 forged greatness and a path for himself but
18 also forged a great path for his people.
19 And so I just really want to take
20 this moment to acknowledge his great works and
21 the fact that it's meant so much to the people
22 of the state.
23 I also want to take this moment
24 because there's another privileged resolution
25 coming up that I will forgo speaking on but
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1 I'll take a couple of moments right now just
2 to say that today is Haitian Flag Day, or
3 Haitian Unity Day.
4 This is the day that is
5 commemorated generally as the time that Haiti
6 actually became a free nation and established
7 itself by raising its own flag. And so as the
8 who represents the 21st District in
9 Brooklyn -- which is Flatbush and East
10 Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington and
11 Boro Park -- and functionally the largest
12 concentration of Haitian people outside of
13 Haiti, this is very important for the people
14 of my district and my community.
15 Outside of Florida, the State of
16 New York, which has a population of about
17 200,000 people of Haitian descent, is the
18 largest population of Haitian people, again,
19 outside of Haiti in the world.
20 And so those folks have -- the
21 people of Haiti have given so much not just to
22 New York but to the culture of the United
23 States and the world. For instance, John
24 Audubon. We're all familiar with the Audubon
25 Society. Well, that's named after John
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1 Audubon, who was of Haitian descent and is
2 really the name that we put associated with
3 avian life, birds, wildlife, conservation and,
4 just an example of someone who many of us
5 might not have known was Haitian, has given a
6 great deal to our society.
7 And so we remember Touissant
8 L'Ouverture, we remember Haitian Flag Day.
9 And also today, in Rockland County,
10 which outside of Brooklyn has the largest
11 population, Rockland County and Spring Valley,
12 New York -- and I'll say this, I didn't see
13 him in the chamber, but I'll say this on
14 behalf of Senator Thomas Morahan, who
15 represents that community, that that is a
16 thriving community exactly because of the
17 Haitian community. They today celebrate
18 Haitian Unity Day.
19 There are a number of members of
20 that community who are here in Albany today,
21 and we honor them and thank them for being
22 part of this great experiment that we call
23 New York and call America.
24 Thank you, Mr. President.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
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1 you, Senator Parker.
2 Senator Parker has asked that the
3 resolution be open for cosponsorship. Any
4 Senator wishing not to be a cosponsor should
5 notify the desk.
6 The question is on the resolution.
7 All in favor signify by saying aye.
8 (Response of "Aye.")
9 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
10 Opposed, nay.
11 (No response.)
12 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
13 resolution is adopted.
14 Senator Klein.
15 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President,
16 can you just recognize Senator Stavisky for a
17 brief announcement.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
19 Senator Stavisky.
20 SENATOR STAVISKY: Yes, I just
21 would like to welcome the class from P.S. 188
22 in Oakland Gardens, Queens. They are on a
23 class trip. And we welcome you all to Albany.
24 Thank you, Mr. President. And
25 thank you, Senator Klein.
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
2 Welcome to our young friends from Queens.
3 Senator Klein.
4 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I
5 believe Senator Parker has another resolution
6 at the desk. I ask that the title of the
7 resolution be read and move for its immediate
8 adoption.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
10 Senator Klein, has the resolution been deemed
11 privileged and submitted by the office of the
12 Temporary President?
13 SENATOR KLEIN: Yes, it has,
14 Mr. President.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
16 Secretary will read.
17 THE SECRETARY: By Senator
18 Parker, legislative resolution memorializing
19 Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim May 18,
20 2010, as Haitian Unity Day in the State of
21 New York.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: All in
23 favor of the resolution please signify by
24 saying aye.
25 (Response of "Aye.")
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
2 Opposed, nay.
3 The resolution is adopted.
4 Senator Klein.
5 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I
6 believe Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson has a
7 resolution at the desk. I ask that the title
8 of the resolution be read and move for its
9 immediate adoption.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
11 Senator Klein, has this resolution been deemed
12 privileged and submitted by the office of the
13 Temporary President?
14 SENATOR KLEIN: Yes, it has,
15 Mr. President.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
17 Secretary will read.
18 THE SECRETARY: By Senators
19 Hassell-Thompson and Perkins, legislative
20 resolution commemorating the 85th birthday of
21 Malcolm X, a major leader in African-American
22 history.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
24 Senator Hassell-Thompson, on the resolution.
25 SENATOR HASSELL-THOMPSON: Thank
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1 you, Mr. President. Just a moment to
2 commemorate the memory of Malcolm X. Tomorrow
3 would have been his 85th birthday.
4 And as someone who knew him as a
5 revolutionary as well as a change agent in one
6 lifetime, I was privileged to know him and I
7 was very privileged to know and to work
8 closely with his wife, Dr. Shabazz.
9 The advent of Malcolm X was such
10 that he took you through many changes within
11 his life. He was very much a part of my young
12 years in terms of determining who I was and
13 how I saw the world. And at the very time
14 when Dr. King was talking about nonviolence,
15 Malcolm X was preaching at whatever cost,
16 whatever necessary to get the job done. When
17 you're very impressionable, those are two very
18 highly volatile thought processes to go
19 through.
20 I like to believe that today I am a
21 melding of both of those thought processes.
22 And that as we commemorate the life of this
23 man, that we do so with an understanding that
24 his place in history was very critical and
25 important to the growth of African-Americans
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1 in this society. And that even though those
2 who did not believe in him or believe in his
3 theory still had to take notice that the world
4 was changing and he was very much a part of
5 those changes.
6 So thank you, Mr. President, for
7 the opportunity to present this resolution
8 today. And I would like to open this
9 resolution to any who would like to share with
10 me in this moment.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
12 you, Senator Hassell-Thompson.
13 Senator Perkins, on the resolution.
14 SENATOR PERKINS: Thank you very
15 much.
16 I just want to take a moment to
17 briefly recognize that tomorrow is the 85th
18 birthday of Malcolm X, who was a central
19 figure in obviously African-American and
20 therefore American history -- world history,
21 for that matter.
22 And interestingly, today we had the
23 honor of our invocation being made by a member
24 of the Ghanaian community who happens to be
25 Muslim. And as you know, Malcolm X was a
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1 Muslim. And so it's a wonderful coincidence
2 that he made history today by virtue of being
3 the first of that faith to make an invocation
4 at this place in this chamber.
5 Malcolm X was one of the most
6 outspoken activists on behalf of obviously the
7 civil rights movement, and I am honored to be
8 a cosponsor of this resolution.
9 Just I want to mention a few quick
10 things memorable for me, at least, about
11 Malcolm X. He was well known for his ability
12 to move a audience with his passion and
13 veracity. He would often say, "If you don't
14 stand for something, you'll fall for
15 anything."
16 And another thing I'd like to just
17 quickly point out is that as a society we were
18 taught many lessons from Malcolm X, lessons
19 that will endure long after his words were
20 spoken. One particular message echoes in my
21 mind every time I enter this chamber or I
22 stand ready and willing to defend the rights
23 of my constituents: "Power in defense of
24 freedom is greater than power on behalf of
25 tyranny and oppression, because power, real
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1 power, comes from our conviction, which
2 produces action, uncompromising action."
3 As legislators, as citizens and as
4 human beings, we must never forget Malcolm X
5 and the wonderful words that he shared with
6 us. Thank you.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Thank
8 you, Senator Perkins.
9 The question is on the resolution.
10 All in favor signify by saying aye.
11 (Response of "Aye.")
12 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
13 Opposed, nay.
14 (No response.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
16 resolution is adopted.
17 Per Senator Hassell-Thompson's
18 request, the resolution is open for
19 cosponsorship. Any Senator wishing not to
20 cosponsor the resolution should notify the
21 desk.
22 Senator Klein.
23 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I
24 believe Senator Nozzolio has a resolution at
25 the desk. I ask that the title of the
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1 resolution be read and move for its immediate
2 adoption.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
4 Senator Klein, has this resolution been deemed
5 privileged and submitted by the office of the
6 Temporary President?
7 SENATOR KLEIN: Yes, it has,
8 Mr. President.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
10 Secretary will read.
11 THE SECRETARY: By Senator
12 Nozzolio, legislative resolution commemorating
13 the 60th anniversary of the Ladies Auxiliary
14 of the Newark Volunteer Fire Department, to be
15 celebrated May 22, 2010.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
17 question is on the resolution. All in favor
18 signify by saying aye.
19 (Response of "Aye.")
20 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
21 Opposed, nay.
22 (No response.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
24 resolution is adopted.
25 Senator Klein.
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1 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I
2 believe Senator Nozzolio has another
3 resolution at the desk. I ask that the title
4 of the resolution be read and move for its
5 immediate adoption.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
7 Senator Klein, has this resolution been deemed
8 privileged and submitted by the office of the
9 Temporary President?
10 SENATOR KLEIN: Yes, it has,
11 Mr. President.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
13 Secretary will read.
14 THE SECRETARY: By Senator
15 Nozzolio, legislative resolution
16 congratulating Teresa Caravita upon the
17 occasion of her 100th birthday.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
19 question is on the resolution. All in favor
20 signify by saying aye.
21 (Response of "Aye.")
22 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
23 Opposed, nay.
24 (No response.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
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1 resolution is adopted.
2 Senator Klein.
3 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I
4 believe Senator Young has a resolution at the
5 desk. I ask that the title of the resolution
6 be read and move for its immediate adoption.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
8 Senator Klein, has this resolution been deemed
9 privileged and submitted by the office of the
10 Temporary President?
11 SENATOR KLEIN: Yes, it has,
12 Mr. President.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
14 Secretary will read.
15 THE SECRETARY: By Senator Young,
16 legislative resolution commemorating the 125th
17 anniversary of the Woman's Christian
18 Association Hospital.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: All in
20 favor of adopting the resolution signify by
21 saying aye.
22 (Response of "Aye.")
23 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
24 Opposed, nay.
25 (No response.)
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
2 resolution is adopted.
3 Senator Klein.
4 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President,
5 there will be an immediate meeting of the
6 Environmental Conservation Committee, followed
7 by an immediate meeting of the Investigations
8 and Government Operations Committee, in
9 Room 332.
10 Pending the return of the
11 Investigations and Government Operations
12 Committee, may we please stand at ease.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
14 Meetings of the Environmental Conservation
15 Committee followed by the Investigations
16 Committee.
17 The Senate will stand at ease
18 pending the return of these committees.
19 (Whereupon, the Senate stood at
20 ease at 1:53 p.m.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
22 Senate will please come to order.
23 Senator Klein.
24 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President,
25 there will be an immediate meeting of the
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1 Rules Committee in the Majority Conference
2 Room.
3 Pending the return of the Rules
4 Committee, may we please stand at ease.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: There
6 will be an immediate meeting of the Committee
7 on Rules in Room 332 of the Capitol.
8 Pending the return of the Rules
9 Committee, the Senate will continue to stand
10 at ease.
11 (Whereupon, the Senate reconvened
12 at 2:57 p.m.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
14 Senate will come to order.
15 Senator Klein.
16 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, if
17 we could return to the order of reports of
18 standing committees, I believe there's a
19 report of the Rules Committee at the desk. I
20 move we adopt the report at this time.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: There
22 is a report of the Rules Committee at the
23 desk.
24 The Secretary will read.
25 THE SECRETARY: Senator Smith,
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1 from the Committee on Rules, reports the
2 following bills:
3 Senate Print 7835, by Senator C.
4 Johnson, an act to amend Chapter 704 of the
5 Laws of 1991;
6 And Assembly Print Number 11101, by
7 Member of the Assembly Cahill, an act to amend
8 the Economic Development Law.
9 Both bills ordered direct to third
10 reading.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: All in
12 favor of adopting the report of the Rules
13 Committee indicate by saying aye.
14 (Response of "Aye.")
15 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
16 Opposed, nay.
17 (Response of "Nay.")
18 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
19 report of the Rules Committee is adopted.
20 Senator Klein.
21 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, at
22 this time can we please go to a reading of the
23 calendar.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
25 Secretary will proceed with a reading of the
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1 calendar.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 431, by Member of the Assembly Weinstein,
4 Assembly Print Number 2876, an act to amend
5 the Court of Claims Act.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Read
7 the last section.
8 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
9 act shall take effect immediately.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Call
11 the roll.
12 (The Secretary called the roll.)
13 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
15 bill is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 439, by --
18 SENATOR KLEIN: Lay the bill
19 aside for the day, please.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
21 bill is laid aside for the day.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 491, by Senator Foley, Senate Print 7047, an
24 act to amend the Education Law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Read
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1 the last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect one year after it shall
4 have become a law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Call
6 the roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
10 bill is passed.
11 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
12 492, by Senator Klein, Senate Print 1899A, an
13 act to amend the Penal Law.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Read
15 the last section.
16 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
17 act shall take effect on the 90th day.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Call
19 the roll.
20 (The Secretary called the roll.)
21 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
23 bill is passed.
24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
25 500, by Senator Peralta, Senate Print 7296A,
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1 an act to amend the General Business Law.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Read
3 the last section.
4 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
5 act shall take effect on the 180th day.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Call
7 the roll.
8 (The Secretary called the roll.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
10 Announce the results.
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 60. Nays,
12 1. Senator DeFrancisco recorded in the
13 negative.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
15 bill is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 503, by Member of the Assembly Gabryszak,
18 Assembly --
19 SENATOR SALAND: Mr. President.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
21 Senator Saland.
22 SENATOR SALAND: My apologies; a
23 point of order. The last bill that we did,
24 I'm having a difficult time --
25 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
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1 Calendar Number 500.
2 SENATOR SALAND: We just
3 completed Calendar 500?
4 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: That
5 was just passed. We're now on Calendar 503.
6 SENATOR SALAND: Thank you.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
8 Secretary will read.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
10 503, by Member of the Assembly Gabryszak,
11 Assembly Print Number 9810, an act to amend
12 the Public Authorities Law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Read
14 the last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
16 act shall take effect immediately.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Call
18 the roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
22 bill is passed.
23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
24 520, by Senator Thompson, Senate Print 5640A,
25 an act to amend the Labor Law.
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Read
2 the last section.
3 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
4 act shall take effect immediately.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Call
6 the roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
9 Announce the results.
10 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
11 Calendar Number 520, those Senators recorded
12 in the negative are Senators Bonacic,
13 Flanagan, Golden, Griffo, O. Johnson, Lanza,
14 Larkin, Little, Saland, Seward, Skelos and
15 Volker. Also Senator Nozzolio.
16 Ayes, 48. Nays, 13.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
18 bill is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 522, by Senator L. Krueger, Senate Print
21 5843B, an act to amend the Public Authorities
22 Law.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Read
24 the last section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
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1 act shall take effect immediately.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Call
3 the roll.
4 (The Secretary called the roll.)
5 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
7 bill is passed.
8 Senator Klein, that completes the
9 reading of the calendar.
10 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President,
11 before we proceed, there's a bit of a
12 milestone today. The bill that was passed,
13 Senate Bill Number 7296A, was Senator
14 Peralta's first bill to pass in the Senate.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
16 Congratulations, Senator Peralta.
17 (Applause.)
18 SENATOR KLEIN: We wish you many
19 more.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
21 Senator Klein.
22 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, at
23 this time can we please go to a reading of the
24 supplemental calendar.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
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1 Secretary will proceed with the reading of
2 Senate Supplemental Calendar 49A.
3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4 556, by Senator C. Johnson, Senate Print 7835,
5 an act to amend Chapter 704 of the Laws of
6 1991, amending the Arts and Cultural Affairs
7 Law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Read
9 the last section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
11 act shall take effect immediately.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Call
13 the roll.
14 (The Secretary called the roll.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
16 Senator Craig Johnson, to explain his vote.
17 SENATOR CRAIG JOHNSON: Thank you
18 very much, Mr. President.
19 This is a 30-day extender of the
20 ticket bill that will hopefully give the
21 parties time to figure out a global
22 resolution.
23 During that period of time, the
24 committee which I chair, the Senate
25 Investigations and Government Operations
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1 Committee, is going to hold a hearing on the
2 very issue underlying the tickets and resale
3 of tickets. The hearing is going to be held
4 on June 2nd. The tentative schedule time is
5 going to be 12:30 here in Albany.
6 So for all members of the Senate
7 body, not only those who serve on the
8 committee but also other Senators who are
9 interested, you're invited to attend the
10 hearing.
11 Thank you very much. I'll be
12 voting yes.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
14 Senator Craig Johnson to be recorded in the
15 affirmative.
16 Announce the results.
17 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61. Nays,
18 0.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
20 bill is passed.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 557, by Member of the Assembly Cahill,
23 Assembly Print Number 11101, an act to amend
24 the Economic Development Law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Read
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1 the last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect immediately.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Call
5 the roll.
6 (The Secretary called the roll.)
7 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
9 bill is passed.
10 Senator Klein, that completes the
11 reading of Senate Supplemental Calendar 49A.
12 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, is
13 there any further business at the desk?
14 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The
15 desk is clear.
16 SENATOR KLEIN: Before we
17 adjourn, Mr. President, I just want to
18 announce following session the following
19 committees will be meeting in Room 332.
20 First, Commerce and Economic Development.
21 Second, Local Government Committee. Third,
22 Civil Service and Pension. And finally, the
23 Education committee.
24 Again, those committees will be
25 meeting in Room 332 immediately after session.
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1 SENATOR VOLKER: Mr. President.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
3 Senator Volker.
4 SENATOR VOLKER: Excuse me.
5 There will be an immediate Republican
6 conference in the conference room for the
7 minority.
8 Thank you, Senator Klein.
9 SENATOR KLEIN: Thank you.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
11 Republican conference in the Minority
12 Conference Room.
13 Senator Klein.
14 SENATOR KLEIN: There being no
15 further business, Mr. President, I move that
16 we adjourn at the call of the Temporary
17 President, intervening days to be legislative
18 days.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: On
20 motion, the Senate stands adjourned at the
21 call of the Temporary President, intervening
22 days being legislative days.
23 (Whereupon, at 3:06 p.m., the
24 Senate adjourned.)
25
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