Regular Session - February 12, 2013
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1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
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3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
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9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 February 12, 2013
11 11:16 a.m.
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13
14 REGULAR SESSION
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18 SENATOR JOSEPH A. GRIFFO, Acting President
19 FRANCIS W. PATIENCE, Secretary
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1 P R O C E E D I N G S
2 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
3 Senate will come to order.
4 I ask all present to please rise
5 and join with me as we recite the Pledge of
6 Allegiance to our Flag.
7 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited
8 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Today's
10 invocation will be offered by the Reverend Peter
11 G. Young, of the Mother Teresa Community here in
12 Albany.
13 REVEREND YOUNG: Thank you,
14 Senator.
15 Let us pray.
16 Some special reminders are needed
17 as we daily do our public service as Senators.
18 Today may we reach out to those that provided to
19 you a helping hand for your leadership position
20 in New York State.
21 O God, may we take the time to
22 remember our parents, relatives, and others in
23 the family, and others that helped as friends,
24 that share this love to assist your
25 achievements, our former teachers and others
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1 that made it happen for you to be successful.
2 May they need that attitude of gratitude during
3 this Valentine's Week, that sharing of love.
4 Amen.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Thank
6 you, Father Young.
7 The reading of the Journal.
8 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Monday,
9 February 11th, the Senate met pursuant to
10 adjournment. The Journal of Friday,
11 February 8th, was read and approved. On motion,
12 Senate adjourned.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Without
14 objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
15 Can I have some order in the
16 chamber, please.
17 Presentation of petitions.
18 Messages from the Assembly.
19 Messages from the Governor.
20 Reports of standing committees.
21 Reports of select committees.
22 Communications and reports from
23 state officers.
24 Motions and resolutions.
25 Senator Libous.
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1 SENATOR LIBOUS: Thank you,
2 Mr. President.
3 I believe Senator Valesky has a
4 motion.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
6 Valesky.
7 SENATOR VALESKY: Thank you,
8 Senator Libous. I do.
9 Mr. President, on behalf of Senator
10 Carlucci, I move that the following bill be
11 discharged from its respective committee and be
12 recommitted with instructions to strike the
13 enacting clause: Senate Bill Number 1200.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: So
15 ordered.
16 Senator Libous.
17 SENATOR LIBOUS: Thank you,
18 Mr. President.
19 At this time may we please adopt
20 the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of
21 Resolutions 354, 428, 429, 476, and 481.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: All in
23 favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar as
24 presented, with the exceptions of Resolutions
25 Number 354, 428, 429, 476 and 481, signify by
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1 saying aye.
2 (Response of "Aye.")
3 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Opposed?
4 (No response.)
5 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
6 Resolution Calendar is adopted.
7 Senator Libous.
8 SENATOR LIBOUS: Thank you,
9 Mr. President.
10 I believe there's a resolution by
11 Senator Klein, Number 481, at the desk. May we
12 have the resolution read in its entirety and move
13 for its immediate adoption.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
15 Secretary will read.
16 THE SECRETARY: Legislative
17 Resolution Number 481, by Senator Klein,
18 commemorating the 5th Anniversary of the
19 Declaration of Independence of Kosova on
20 February 17, 2013.
21 "WHEREAS, It is the practice of this
22 Legislative Body to commemorate historical events
23 which exemplify the spirit and struggle of
24 peoples throughout the world to achieve
25 independence and live in peace and freedom; and
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1 "WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is
2 proud to recognize the economic, educational and
3 cultural contributions of the people of Kosova in
4 the fields of business, science, and government
5 which have inspired and encouraged the young
6 people of New York to realize their dreams and
7 ambitions through education and hard work; and
8 "WHEREAS, It is the sense of this
9 Legislative Body to celebrate and applaud the
10 people of Kosova, who have fostered ethnic pride
11 and exemplify the cultural diversity that
12 represents and strengthens the fabric of the
13 communities of the State of New York; and
14 "WHEREAS, The largest concentration
15 of Americans with Kosovar descent in the
16 United States is in the State of New York; and
17 "WHEREAS, The people of the Republic
18 of Kosova acquired independence on the 17th day
19 of February 2008; and
20 "WHEREAS, On the 17th day of
21 February 2013, Kosovar nationals and
22 Kosovar-Americans and Albanian-Americans from
23 throughout Kosova, the United States, and the
24 State of New York will celebrate the independence
25 of Kosova; and
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1 "WHEREAS, In March 1999, the United
2 States, along with members of the North Atlantic
3 Treaty Organization (NATO), commenced military
4 intervention aimed at ending Slobodan Milosevic's
5 brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing against the
6 people of Kosova; and
7 "WHEREAS, That military intervention
8 resulted in the defeat of Milosevic's forces and
9 the creation of the United States mission in
10 Kosova; and
11 "WHEREAS, The men and women of the
12 armed forces of the United States have served
13 bravely in Kosova since 1999, and their presence
14 and participation in the NATO-led Kosova force
15 has been indispensable in protecting the people
16 of Kosova and stabilizing the region; and
17 "WHEREAS, Kosova is now functioning
18 under its own democratic constitution and rule of
19 law, combined with a new flag bearing a map of
20 Kosova topped by six stars, representing the six
21 major ethnic groups in the country; and
22 "WHEREAS, Kosova has earned the
23 recognition of the many United Nations member
24 states and many international organizations; and
25 "WHEREAS, The establishment of
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1 diplomatic relations demonstrates the special
2 ties that have linked the people of the
3 United States and Kosova together; and
4 "WHEREAS, The State of New York has
5 developed medical, community, business, and
6 educational services to assist in integrating
7 the people of Kosova into the community; now,
8 therefore, be it
9 "RESOLVED, That this Legislative
10 Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate
11 the 5th Anniversary of the Declaration of
12 Independence of Kosova on February 17, 2013; and
13 be it further
14 "RESOLVED, That copies of this
15 resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to
16 The Honorable Andrew Cuomo, Governor of the
17 State of New York; The Honorable Bekim Sejdiu,
18 Consul General of Kosova; The Honorable Jetish
19 Jashari, Deputy Chief of Mission; and
20 Akan Ismaili, Ambassador of the Republic of
21 Kosova to the United States."
22 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
23 Klein.
24 SENATOR KLEIN: Thank you,
25 Mr. President.
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1 It's truly an honor to have
2 introduced this resolution commemorating the
3 fifth anniversary of the Declaration of
4 Independence of Kosova.
5 This is something that's very, very
6 important in the annals of our history as a
7 nation. This is a nation that went through
8 tremendous struggles. Everyone unfortunately
9 knows the horrible past of the ethnic cleansing
10 that took place. But through, I think,
11 perseverance and a brave peoples, we stand here
12 today to commemorate the fifth anniversary.
13 I also want to welcome some
14 distinguished guests we have with us in the
15 Senate chamber. We have the Albanian ambassador
16 to the United Nations, His Excellency Ferit
17 Hoxha. We also have with us the consul general
18 from the Embassy of the Republic of Kosova, we
19 have His Excellency Bekim Sejdiu. I welcome you
20 both here today.
21 And this is something important to
22 me personally, because we also have with us our
23 newly elected Assemblymember from the
24 80th Assembly District, the Assembly district
25 that I once represented, Mark Gjonaj.
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1 Mark Gjonaj has the distinction of
2 being the first Albanian-American elected to any
3 legislative chamber in the nation. And I'm
4 taking a little pride for that, because it came
5 from the Bronx.
6 And I think the Bronx, as we all
7 know, is a very special place. While others talk
8 about diversity, we've lived it for many, many
9 years. And that diversity has been made much
10 stronger and better by the influence of the
11 Albanian community.
12 I also have the privilege of
13 probably representing the largest Albanian
14 community anyplace in New York State. As a
15 matter of fact, the neighborhood that I grew up
16 in and still live in, Morris Park, is home to a
17 large Albanian community.
18 And you know, when you watch various
19 ethnic groups throughout our time, throughout our
20 history in New York, how they assimilate is
21 something that's very, very interesting. And one
22 of the things you see in the Albanian community,
23 much like a lot of the other immigrant groups
24 that came here in the past, is sort of an
25 assimilation process.
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1 But I will have to say that watching
2 other groups over the years, I don't think anyone
3 has moved up sort of the economic ladder as
4 quickly as the Albanian community. Whether it's
5 restaurants, building, construction, these are
6 individuals who really adapt to the American way
7 of life, specifically our business system, a lot
8 faster than anyone else. And now there's pillars
9 of the community in Bronx County and really
10 across our state that only arrived from Albania a
11 couple of years ago. It's truly amazing.
12 It's also, I think, what keeps the
13 Albanian community so strong and prosperous, is a
14 love of family, a love of education, and I think
15 the acknowledgement that the way we get ahead is
16 by remembering who you are and where you came
17 from. So that's something that's very, very
18 special.
19 So I want to thank you,
20 Mr. President, for recognizing the fifth
21 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of
22 Kosova, and of course I welcome my friends from
23 the Albanian community here today.
24 Thank you, Mr. President.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Thank
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1 you, Senator Klein.
2 Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson.
3 SENATOR HASSELL-THOMPSON: Thank
4 you, Mr. President.
5 I rise to congratulate my colleague
6 Senator Klein on this resolution and to
7 participate with him in the celebration of our
8 newest elected official. We share the district
9 together, and this is the first time that I've
10 had really the opportunity to get to know the
11 Albanian Kosova community.
12 But to the ambassador, to the
13 consul general, and to all of you who have come
14 to be with us today as we celebrate and
15 acknowledge your country, we thank you. We thank
16 you for the prosperity that you have brought to
17 the Bronx, and we look forward to the
18 representation that your new leader will provide
19 to our people in that district.
20 And I know that I speak for Jeff
21 when I say that it's awesome to have a partner
22 who really understands business as well as the
23 needs and the hearts of the people in that
24 community.
25 Thank you, Mr. President.
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Thank
2 you, Senator Hassell-Thompson.
3 Is there any other Senator wishing
4 to be heard?
5 All in favor of the resolution
6 signify by saying aye.
7 (Response of "Aye.")
8 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Opposed?
9 (No response.)
10 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
11 resolution is adopted.
12 We want to extend the warm greetings
13 of the house, and our best wishes to
14 Mr. Ambassador, to you, Mr. Consul General, and
15 to all of the delegation that are here from
16 Kosova today. Thank you for being here today.
17 (Applause.)
18 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
19 Libous.
20 SENATOR LIBOUS: Mr. President,
21 Leader Klein would like to open up that
22 resolution for cosponsorship.
23 So as the policy of the house goes,
24 all members will be put on the resolution. If
25 for any reason a member wishes not to be on the
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1 resolution, please let the desk know.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: So
3 instructed and so noted.
4 Senator Libous.
5 SENATOR LIBOUS: I believe there's
6 a resolution at the desk by Senator Stavisky,
7 Number 354. May we have the resolution read in
8 its entirety and move for its adoption.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
10 Secretary will read.
11 THE SECRETARY: Legislative
12 Resolution Number 354, by Senator Stavisky,
13 paying tribute to the distinguished life and
14 career of Emanuel R. Gold, former New York State
15 Senator.
16 "WHEREAS, It is the sense of this
17 Legislative Body that the quality and character
18 of life in this great Empire State is indelibly
19 enriched by the faithful and caring efforts of
20 those who devoted their life to public service;
21 and
22 "WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is
23 moved to commemorate the purposeful life and
24 distinguished career of Emanuel R. Gold, former
25 New York State Senator, and to express its
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1 sincerest sorrow upon the occasion of his death;
2 and
3 "WHEREAS, Emanuel R. Gold, known as
4 'Manny,' died on Thursday, January 24, 2013, at
5 the age of 77; and
6 "WHEREAS, Born on August 25, 1935,
7 in Brooklyn, and raised in Laurelton, Queens,
8 Emanuel R. Gold attended Stuyvesant High School,
9 Cornell University of Arts and Sciences, and
10 Cornell Law School; and
11 "WHEREAS, Emanuel R. Gold began his
12 illustrious career in public service by serving
13 from 1965-1968 as counsel to the Majority Leader
14 of the New York State Assembly. In 1967, he
15 served as counsel to the Majority Leader of the
16 Constitutional Convention; and
17 "WHEREAS, In 1970, Emanuel R. Gold
18 was elected to the Assembly at a special election
19 and served in that chamber until his election to
20 the Senate in a special election the following
21 year; and
22 "WHEREAS, In 1978, Emanuel R. Gold
23 was selected by Governor Carey as the only Senate
24 representative on the New York State Executive
25 Advisory Committee on Sentencing; and
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1 "WHEREAS, In 1994, Senator Gold
2 authored a law which required that New York
3 State's educational curriculum be expanded so
4 that children are taught about human rights
5 violations, including the Holocaust and slavery;
6 and
7 "WHEREAS, In 1996, he became ranking
8 member of the powerful Finance Committee, a post
9 he held until his 1998 retirement; and
10 "WHEREAS, Among the more than
11 80 laws Emanuel R. Gold sponsored was the
12 groundbreaking 'Son of Sam' law, which blocked
13 notorious criminals from making money by peddling
14 their stories; and
15 "WHEREAS, His many other pieces of
16 sponsored legislation included mandating that
17 city hospitals provide emergency room treatment,
18 requiring the labeling of prescription drug
19 tablets and capsules for quick identification in
20 medical emergencies, promoting access to public
21 buildings for the disabled, and setting Banking
22 Department rules for the computerized calculation
23 of interest; and
24 "WHEREAS, Emanuel R. Gold, a partner
25 in the law firm of Jaspan Schlesinger, was the
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1 recipient of numerous awards and accolades for
2 his outstanding civic involvement. He served on
3 the board of the Men's Club of the Jewish Center
4 of Kew Gardens Hills and was a trustee of that
5 temple, as well as of the Kidney Foundation of
6 New York; and
7 "WHEREAS, This remarkable man's
8 diverse interests included photography, golf,
9 music, both playing a variety of instruments and
10 conducting symphony orchestras, and sports,
11 having boxed while in college; and
12 "WHEREAS, Predeceased by his two
13 sons, Jeffrey and Adam Gold, Emanuel R. Gold is
14 survived by his wife, Judith (Silberfein) Gold;
15 and his children, Sue Gold and Steve and Bonnie
16 Gold, as well as his two granddaughters,
17 Emily Borst and Jaclyn (Jackie) Gold; and
18 "WHEREAS, A true gentleman of great
19 compassion and sensitivity, Emanuel R. Gold's
20 legacy extends far beyond his accomplishments as
21 a successful public servant. His sincere concern
22 for others, his integrity, unconditional
23 friendship and selfless motivation to give of
24 himself will long stand as a beacon for those who
25 would aspire to service in their community; now,
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1 therefore, be it
2 "RESOLVED, That this Legislative
3 Body pause in its deliberations to pay tribute to
4 the distinguished life and career of Emanuel R.
5 Gold, former New York State Senator, recognizing
6 the significance of his exemplary record of
7 public service; and be it further
8 "RESOLVED, That a copy of this
9 resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to
10 the family of the late Emanuel R. Gold."
11 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
12 Stavisky.
13 SENATOR STAVISKY: Thank you,
14 Mr. President.
15 While Senator Gold was born in
16 Brooklyn and grew up in Laurelton, he is best
17 known as a resident of Forest Hills and
18 represented the Forest Hills community as I do
19 today.
20 He served for one year in the
21 Assembly, elected in a special election, and then
22 in 1971 he was elected to the Senate, where he
23 served until 1998.
24 I can still see Manny sitting over
25 there where Senator Gianaris is sitting, and
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1 acting as the floor leader, the deputy minority
2 leader. And he would debate bills better than
3 anybody I have seen, I must say, and that
4 includes a lot of excellent debaters from both
5 sides of the aisle. He was an accomplished
6 attorney. And these skills in the courtroom,
7 coupled with his skills, his floor debate style,
8 was just incredible to watch.
9 He did sponsor over 80 laws,
10 something that we don't seem to do today. But as
11 a minority legislator he was able to enact
12 80 laws, particularly the Son of Sam and other
13 bills, one labeling prescription drugs. There
14 were a whole host of it. Making sure that we
15 teach our children in the schools about various
16 causes, especially the Holocaust.
17 In 1996 he became the ranking member
18 on the Finance Committee and again participated
19 actively in all of these debates.
20 Manny Gold was so good at everything
21 that he did. Whatever he did, he did it better
22 than anyone else. I mentioned his skills as a
23 floor debater. He once brought an AK-47 into the
24 chamber. He brought one, showed how easy it was
25 to purchase, and brought one into the chamber to
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1 demonstrate the need for gun legislation.
2 Because, quite frankly, I know people hunt but
3 you don't go hunting, I don't believe, with an
4 AK-47.
5 But he was able to use this flair
6 for the dramatic, whether it be in the courtroom
7 or on the Senate floor.
8 He was a true renaissance man. He
9 was an athlete. He was a boxer in college, he
10 was an avid, active golfer in later life. And I
11 just heard from Senator LaValle that he was a
12 Ping-Pong player. Can you imagine a con -- with
13 Mr. Lewis -- I don't see him in the chamber, but
14 with Mr. Lewis's dad. And I'll let Senator
15 LaValle tell the story about the Ping-Pong
16 matches. But can you imagine the two verbally
17 going against each other in a verbal Ping-Pong
18 match? That was something to see.
19 He was a photographer. You used to
20 go into his office and you would see photographs
21 you knew were from the Capitol, and they were
22 different angles and different cornices and
23 different sculptures from the Capitol building.
24 Which to me represented just pieces of building,
25 but to Manny it was artistic. His photographs
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1 were really professional in style, and he used to
2 sit there with the camera on his desk for many,
3 many years, taking photographs.
4 He was a musician. Not just
5 somebody who played a violin or the piano or
6 whatever, he was the conductor, because he had to
7 be in control. He conducted his legislative
8 business, he conducted his music and was well
9 known in Queens as conducting the old Queens
10 Symphony Orchestra.
11 So we gather today to talk about
12 Manny Gold but also to remember his family. His
13 daughter Sue is here. His son Steve lives in
14 Albany. His wife, Judy, is in Forest Hills. And
15 unfortunately he lost two sons -- Adam, within
16 the last four or five months, and another son.
17 So I think it's important that we
18 remember the contributions of people who have
19 gone before us. This is the way oral history
20 transpires from generation to generation; people
21 talk about legislators, and you hear stories.
22 And certainly people can tell a lot of stories
23 about Manny Gold. But also Manny was a great
24 legislator, and I certainly will miss him.
25 Thank you very much. Oh, and may we
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1 ask that the resolution be opened to everybody.
2 Thank you, Mr. President.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
4 Farley.
5 SENATOR FARLEY: Senator Stavisky,
6 you said it all. But I knew Manny Gold very
7 well, and like you, I can still see him sitting
8 over there.
9 You know, a lot of giants have
10 served in this house. But I'll tell you,
11 Manny Gold was one of a kind. Really a
12 remarkable man. You described him as a
13 renaissance man. Boy, that says it all. He
14 really could do it all. He not only was
15 brilliant and accomplished things, but his
16 debates were really -- they were always
17 well-formed. And he was always a gentleman in
18 his debates, too. He never attacked anybody
19 personally that I knew.
20 And he was always on target. I'll
21 tell you, if a person or a Senator from this side
22 of the aisle would listen to him carefully, you'd
23 change your vote.
24 But Manny had so many facets to him,
25 and you mentioned so many of them: as an
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1 athlete, as a photographer, as a person that --
2 but you know, most important, that he was a
3 family man. He had a beautiful family. And it's
4 my deepest sympathy that I pass on to them,
5 because Manny offered so much to this house.
6 And, you know, we serve here and so
7 many are so quickly forgotten. He'll never be
8 forgotten because of so many things that he did.
9 He was in the minority his entire career, but he
10 did accomplish an awful lot. He made a huge
11 difference. He was respected by everybody that
12 ever served with him. And I certainly respect
13 him.
14 And I thought the last few days,
15 hearing of his death, I just couldn't believe
16 that he would be gone. But he'll be sorely
17 missed because not many people came through this
18 chamber the like of Manny Gold.
19 I wish he and his family well, and
20 my deepest sympathy to his daughter and his
21 sons. And I certainly can't say enough.
22 And Senator Stavisky, you
23 encapsulated everything that so was so good about
24 Manny Gold, and I applaud you for that.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
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1 Gianaris.
2 SENATOR GIANARIS: Thank you,
3 Mr. President.
4 I only met Senator Gold in the last
5 few months, when he visited me in my district
6 office to talk about an issue of importance to
7 him. Of course, I didn't know at the time that
8 it was among his last months with us.
9 But even though I only knew him a
10 short time, his influence on my career and my
11 life has been very present. First of all, as a
12 Senator, an elected official from Queens, his
13 reputation preceded him in the world of
14 Queens County politics.
15 And as a dear friend to my
16 predecessor, Senator Onorato, I heard many tales
17 of Senator Gold's skill both in this chamber and
18 on the golf course and elsewhere.
19 I should note Senator Onorato is
20 particularly torn up about the loss of
21 Senator Gold and expresses his sympathies as well
22 to his family.
23 And then, of course, as someone who
24 stood at this desk for so many years. And we've
25 heard from colleagues who served with him about
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1 his abilities in this chamber as the deputy
2 leader of the Democratic Conference.
3 Senator Libous in particular has
4 indicated to me that when he was a more junior
5 senator watching Senator Gold perform his trade,
6 that he learned a lot from him, and that when he
7 was also sitting at this desk in 2009 and '10,
8 that a lot of what he learned came from
9 Senator Gold. I'd like to think that he did not
10 learn from him how to move privileged resolutions
11 to the floor during that time, but --
12 (Laughter.)
13 SENATOR GIANARIS: But nonetheless,
14 Senator Gold's legacy is one that deserves the
15 respect we're giving him today.
16 And of course the resolution itself
17 speaks to the number of issues he got
18 accomplished sitting on this side of the aisle,
19 which as everyone knows is no easy task.
20 So to his family, our condolences.
21 And they should know that his influence will live
22 on long beyond his years.
23 Thank you.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
25 LaValle.
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1 SENATOR LaVALLE: Thank you,
2 Mr. President.
3 If we had a Senate Hall of Fame
4 going from the beginning of this body forward,
5 Manny Gold's name would be on that Hall of Fame.
6 I think the first thing you have to
7 say about Manny Gold was he was a mensch. You
8 just had to love the man for so many of his
9 qualities that have been talked about today: His
10 intellect, his charm, his wit, his athleticism.
11 It goes on and on and on.
12 And the most interesting thing --
13 and Senator Stavisky talked about this -- he was
14 in his career I believe the whole time in the
15 minority. Passed 80 chapters, 80 chapters, and
16 very significant pieces of legislation. Very
17 significant.
18 And how did he do that? Well, he
19 understood that the art of making a law deals
20 with people. And you have to interact with
21 people, and you have to treat people in a good
22 and decent way. And he had the intellectual
23 skills of being able to talk to people in the
24 most persuasive way and get what he wanted done.
25 We saw it on the floor. And he sat,
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1 as was pointed out time and time again, in the
2 deputy minority leader's seat. I sat in the back
3 row, and I got to know Manny Gold.
4 Whatever he did, he just really
5 excelled. And what has not been mentioned, as an
6 attorney, he again was one heck of an attorney.
7 And of course he used his attorney skills here in
8 the Legislature in drafting bills and in making
9 arguments in the most persuasive way. We were
10 the jury. He was in this courtroom, we were
11 here, and he made his case.
12 As Senator Stavisky said, he brought
13 in -- we had a rule, a Senate rule that you
14 couldn't really bring things in to make your
15 point, no less an AK-47 that he brought in to
16 make his point. And you know, not a member here
17 got up and said "Point of order, Senator Gold."
18 Not one. Because he did it in a way that was in
19 good taste and acceptable to everyone. So people
20 shrugged and said, "Well, so we have a rule, but
21 he's making a point and he's making it very
22 well."
23 The last thing, I just want to go
24 back, as I had said. There could not be -- and I
25 guess what is important for all of us in the
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1 short time that we occupy space here on this
2 earth is that he showed great humanity to
3 individuals. He was nice to every person,
4 regardless of whether they were members, staff,
5 people lobbying here. Just a genuine warmth.
6 And his daughter Sue is here, and
7 she has -- Susan, you have your father's warmth
8 and humanity. And just clutch that to your
9 heart, and he will always be with you.
10 Thank you, Mr. President.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
12 Maziarz.
13 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Thank you very
14 much, Mr. President.
15 I want to rise to certainly offer my
16 sympathies and join my colleagues in honoring a
17 great person, Senator Gold.
18 When I first came here, Susan, there
19 couldn't have been two people from more diverse
20 backgrounds -- your dad from the City of
21 New York, born and raised there in, you know,
22 liberal democratic politics, and me from upstate
23 New York, a very rural area, very Republican
24 conservative -- and your dad made me feel so
25 welcome here in the mid-1990s.
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1 Now, when I came, he sat in that
2 first chair there. He was the ranking member of
3 the Finance Committee. And your dad would get up
4 and he and Franz Leichter would tag-team us over
5 here all the time, and they would go on forever.
6 But your dad would ask questions,
7 they were always thoughtful, probing,
8 intelligent. Another giant, Senator Ron
9 Stafford, was the chair of the Finance Committee,
10 and Senator Stafford's answers were always
11 thoughtful and provoking and intelligent and
12 humorous, too. But I always had a lot of respect
13 for your dad, a lot of great memories here.
14 And what Senator LaValle and
15 Senator Farley and Senator Stavisky said, that
16 even though we were on opposite sides of the
17 aisle here, your dad was always respectful and
18 just a true giant in this room. And I thought it
19 was a very good analogy that Senator LaValle
20 used. If there ever was a Hall of Fame for this
21 place, your dad would be in it.
22 Thank you, Mr. President.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
24 Breslin.
25 SENATOR BRESLIN: Thank you,
537
1 Mr. President.
2 I just rise to affirm everything
3 that's been said and to affirm some of the
4 descriptive words of a renaissance man, a
5 collegial man, a Hall of Famer whose picture
6 still sits in our lunchroom as a member of the
7 softball team, along with some of the other
8 greats, including Senator Libous I see, and other
9 greats. I think Teddy Roosevelt was on that
10 team.
11 (Laughter.)
12 SENATOR BRESLIN: But Manny had a
13 way of just -- when I first got here, he invited
14 me to lunch. And he focused on me. He wanted to
15 know about where I was from, my background.
16 And he just had a grace and a
17 gentleness about him. And you never knew he was
18 as good in each of the areas until you saw it
19 firsthand. I played golf with him and found out
20 quickly he was a better golfer, and I didn't
21 expect him to be.
22 And I watched him on this floor as
23 he debated time and time again. But always in a
24 nonpersonal way, always with a smile.
25 And I would take some exceptions to
538
1 Senator Farley. I'm not so sure he convinced the
2 other side to change their votes. I didn't see
3 that. But he made them think about it. And he
4 did it with a style and grace that I don't think
5 we'll ever see again.
6 So for all of us here who saw him --
7 and now two of his children, Sue and Steve, live
8 in my district. And he raised wonderful,
9 wonderful children. So on behalf of this Senate,
10 we couldn't have a better Hall of Famer than
11 Manny Gold.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
13 Libous.
14 SENATOR LIBOUS: Thank you,
15 Mr. President.
16 I too rise with my colleagues to pay
17 tribute to this great man.
18 You know, I'm starting my 25th year
19 in the Senate, and I am very blessed. And I
20 think all the members that have come through I
21 can honestly say that I've liked and enjoyed
22 serving with. Some of you I've liked better than
23 others --
24 (Laughter.)
25 SENATOR LIBOUS: -- but I've liked
539
1 all of you.
2 Senator Gold I loved. He was, as my
3 colleagues have said, just a remarkable guy. I
4 sat on the end of that aisle, and I sat next to
5 another great Senator, the late Norman Levy. And
6 I remember I would watch Senator Gold very
7 artfully and tastefully not only debate but tie
8 us in knots over here, and we weren't even sure
9 that we were being tied in knots. And he would
10 do it with a smile, he'd do it gracefully.
11 And I remember one day -- and again,
12 I'm a young 33-year-old kid. I'm only 34 now,
13 but --
14 (Laughter.)
15 SENATOR LIBOUS: -- a young
16 33-year-old kid sitting at the end of the aisle,
17 and Senator Gold gets up where Senator Gianaris
18 is, and Senator Leichter is sitting three or four
19 seats down the row. And Senator Gold decides
20 he's going to debate Senator Leichter on a bill.
21 And that was the first time I saw a
22 real filibuster. I really didn't know what was
23 going on. And I turned to Senator Levy, and I
24 said, "What is he doing?"
25 He says: "He's making us suffer."
540
1 (Laughter.)
2 SENATOR LIBOUS: And I said, "Well,
3 why would he do that?"
4 He said, "Well, because there's
5 something going on between the two leaders that
6 they're not happy with, so Senator Gold's role is
7 to take some time up on the floor and to stall
8 things out."
9 And I said, "Well, why is he asking
10 Senator Leichter? It's not even his bill."
11 He said: "Just sit and relax.
12 You'll learn a lot." And I did.
13 I learned a lot about running the
14 floor and procedure, and I like to think that I
15 learned a few things from Senator Gold. As
16 Senator Gianaris said, after that day in 2009, I
17 did get a call from him. And he said to me, "I
18 guess, Tommy, I taught you a little too much."
19 (Laughter.)
20 SENATOR LIBOUS: And we always had
21 a great relationship. He was a special guy, a
22 special colleague.
23 And I would say, Sue, that -- I
24 mean, he was your dad, and I'm sure there's some
25 great stories in your heart that you'll always
541
1 remember and cherish. But for those of who saw
2 him professionally and who worked him, it was
3 more than a professional relationship. It was a
4 personal relationship. And that's -- as
5 everybody's said on this floor, that's the kind
6 of guy he was. As Senator Breslin said,
7 Senator Farley, Senator LaValle, he took time to
8 find out about you.
9 And when you were with him on the
10 floor, he was a Democrat, believe me. And he was
11 the loyal opposition on the other side of the
12 aisle. But when we were playing softball or we
13 were playing Ping Pong or whatever you were doing
14 with Manny Gold -- and by the way, he probably
15 beat you -- he wasn't a Democrat and you weren't
16 a Republican, you were human beings and somebody
17 that he respected and certainly somebody that we
18 had the utmost respect for.
19 I just want to say, as my colleagues
20 did, Mr. President, and to you, Sue, that I am a
21 better person and I'm very blessed to have known
22 your dad, and I know that everyone in this room
23 feels that same way.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Thank
25 you, Senator Libous.
542
1 Senator Fuschillo.
2 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Thank you,
3 Mr. President.
4 When I first got elected in March of
5 1998 and came to this chambers, I was asking some
6 of my colleagues about a week or two later,
7 "Could you tell me about all the members here?"
8 And I remember Franz Leichter was
9 over there, and they were telling me how
10 brilliant he was. And then it got to Manny Gold,
11 and they said, "You never want to debate against
12 Manny Gold."
13 Well, a week after I got here,
14 something happened on the floor and he was really
15 upset at the procedures. And the next bill that
16 was coming up was mine, and he said "Lay it
17 aside."
18 And I said, "Oh, my God. I'm only
19 here five days, what is this guy gonna do to me?"
20 (Laughter.)
21 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: And, Sue,
22 everybody is so kind about your father. He was a
23 fierce debater.
24 And I walked into the lunch room,
25 and I said to him: "Are you okay today?" He
543
1 goes, "No, I'm really upset about what's going on
2 on the floor." I said, "Well, why are you taking
3 it out on me? Why are you taking it out on me?"
4 He says, "Who are you?"
5 (Laughter.)
6 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: And I thought
7 that was a good sign.
8 (Laughter.)
9 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: He ended up
10 letting it go. And I was so happy about that.
11 But he retired from the Senate that
12 year, and I got to know him personally. He
13 invited me up to your house, with George Onorato
14 and then-Senator Mike Balboni. We played our
15 first round of golf together.
16 When we got back to your house we
17 had lunch, and he says, "You'll never be invited
18 again. You really stink when it comes to playing
19 golf."
20 (Laughter.)
21 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: So I appreciated
22 his honesty.
23 But I got to know your father very
24 well over the years, and he never lost his
25 passion for this legislative body. And about
544
1 four or five months ago, maybe a little bit less
2 than that, he called me. And he said, "You know,
3 all the stuff that's going on in the City of
4 New York with the lack of respect and regard for
5 police officers and how they're getting shot and
6 killed, you need to do something about this."
7 And we spent two hours on the phone.
8 And I said to him, "You're
9 incredible. You never lost this thing." He
10 said, "It's in my blood. I'll have it till the
11 day I die."
12 Well, when I received the call that
13 your dad passed away, I was shocked and I was
14 deeply saddened. And, Senator Stavisky, I'm so
15 honored that you brought this resolution to the
16 floor, because it's critically important that we
17 remember those that really made a difference in
18 this body.
19 I support this resolution, and I
20 offer my condolences to you and your family.
21 Thank you, Mr. President.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
23 question is on the resolution. All in favor
24 signify by saying aye.
25 (Response of "Aye.")
545
1 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Opposed?
2 (No response.)
3 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
4 resolution is adopted.
5 Senator Libous.
6 SENATOR LIBOUS: Mr. President, can
7 we open the resolution up to all members.
8 And as our policy goes, if for some
9 reason somebody doesn't want to be on the
10 resolution, let the desk know.
11 And could I ask my colleagues to
12 stand and join us for a moment of silence to
13 honor a great colleague.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: I would
15 ask the chamber to please rise in moment of
16 silent reflection and commemoration of
17 Senator Gold.
18 (Whereupon, the assemblage rose and
19 respected a moment of silence.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
21 Libous.
22 SENATOR LIBOUS: Thank you,
23 Mr. President.
24 I believe there's a resolution at
25 the desk by Senator Peralta, Number 428. May we
546
1 have the resolution read in its entirety, and
2 could we move for its immediate adoption.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
4 Secretary will read.
5 THE SECRETARY: Legislative
6 Resolution Number 428, by Senator Peralta,
7 commemorating the 169th Anniversary of the
8 Dominican Republic Independence to be celebrated
9 on February 27, 2013.
10 "WHEREAS, It is the practice of this
11 Legislative Body to commemorate historical events
12 which exemplify the spirit and struggle of
13 peoples throughout the world to achieve
14 independence and live in peace and freedom; and
15 "WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern,
16 and in full accord with its long-standing
17 traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud
18 to commemorate the 169th Anniversary of the
19 Dominican Republic Independence to be celebrated
20 on February 27, 2013; and
21 "WHEREAS, The people of the
22 Dominican Republic acquired their independence
23 from Haiti on February 27, 1844; and
24 "WHEREAS, Each year, this auspicious
25 occasion is celebrated and provides an
547
1 opportunity for all people to reflect upon the
2 rich history of the Dominican Republic and the
3 many contributions of Latin Americans to our
4 country as well as the world; and
5 "WHEREAS, February 27th has been
6 designated as Dominican Independence Day in the
7 State of New York; and
8 "WHEREAS, It is the sense of this
9 Legislative Body to recognize the great
10 contributions which Dominicans have brought to
11 our state and nation; and
12 "WHEREAS, It is the custom of this
13 Legislative Body that those who enhance the
14 well-being and vitality of their community and
15 have shown a long and sustained commitment to
16 excellence certainly have earned the recognition
17 and applause of all the citizens of this great
18 Empire State; now, therefore, be it
19 "RESOLVED, That this Legislative
20 Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate
21 the 169th Anniversary of the Dominican Republic
22 Independence to be celebrated on February 27,
23 2013; and be it further
24 "RESOLVED, That copies of this
25 resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to
548
1 various Dominican organizations in New York
2 State."
3 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
4 Peralta.
5 SENATOR PERALTA: Thank you,
6 Mr. President.
7 This year marks the 169th
8 anniversary of the Dominican Republic. Just as
9 American independence is closely identified with
10 the tireless, fearless leadership of George
11 Washington, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and
12 John Adams, in a celebration of Dominican
13 independence we would be remiss not to recognize
14 La Trinitaria.
15 In 1838, Juan Pablo Duarte formed
16 La Trinitaria, a secret society founded to win
17 independence from Haiti. Duarte was joined by
18 Ramon Matias Mella and Rosario Sanchez. The
19 revolution they set in motion resulted in the
20 Trinitarios declaring independence from Haiti on
21 February 27, 1844. Later that year the Dominican
22 Republic's first constitution was adopted.
23 Pico Duarte in the Dominican
24 Republic, the highest mountain in the Caribbean,
25 Duarte Square in New York, and other noteworthy
549
1 landmarks named in his honor are testaments to
2 Duarte's historic significance.
3 Today we celebrate the 169th
4 anniversary of the Dominican Republic's
5 independence and the contributions made by
6 Dominicans and Dominican Americans. From
7 politics and the economy to arts and culture,
8 Dominicans have enriched our lives and our
9 country. Dominicans and Dominican Americans have
10 strengthened our neighborhoods and our economy
11 through their valuable contributions and
12 customs.
13 By way of this resolution,
14 Mr. President, we extend our best wishes to our
15 Dominican American friends throughout New York
16 City and across this state in advance of this
17 important and joyful day.
18 Thank you very much, Mr. President.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Thank
20 you, Senator Peralta.
21 Senator Espaillat.
22 SENATOR ESPAILLAT: Thank you,
23 Mr. President.
24 What a great state, the State of
25 New York. Yesterday we nominated Jenny Rivera to
550
1 the Court of Appeals, this morning we had a
2 distinguished delegation of Albanian-Americans
3 visit the chambers, and now we have three members
4 of Congress in the Dominican Republic visit our
5 chambers. This is truly a testament to the
6 greatness of our country and our state and the
7 diversity across these United States and
8 particularly the Empire State.
9 So I am very pleased to join the
10 resolution sponsored by my colleague
11 José Peralta. Senator Peralta, I want to
12 congratulate you and thank you for that
13 resolution commemorating the independence of the
14 Dominican Republic.
15 Many may not know that long before
16 there was a Harvard University or a Yale
17 University or a Columbia University, there was
18 the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, the
19 first university in the New World. And many,
20 many years before there was a St. Patrick's
21 Cathedral, a St. John the Divine Cathedral or
22 even a Riverside Church, there was the Cathedral
23 Santo Domingo, the first cathedral of the
24 New World.
25 So in essence Santo Domingo, the
551
1 capital of the Dominican Republic and the island,
2 was a cradle of the new hemisphere, of the
3 New World.
4 And in the country you will find a
5 rich history of collaboration with the United
6 States. So many may not know that
7 Frederick Douglass was commissioned by
8 President Lincoln to be an ambassador to the
9 Dominican Republic. The great brother of a
10 Dominican general, Gregorio Luperón, served in
11 the Union Army to help win that great battle. So
12 there is a very precise and strong relationship
13 between both nations.
14 And I'm happy to have the members of
15 Congress, if they can stand up, the four members
16 of Congress that are here today: José Altagracia
17 González Sánchez; Graciela Fermín Nuesi; Ramón
18 Ricardo Sánchez de la Rosa; and Noris Medina.
19 They are part of the House of Representatives of
20 the Dominican Republic.
21 And we have every year a
22 celebration. You're welcome to come by the
23 celebration and taste some of our food.
24 I see Senator Libous shaking his
25 head. Perhaps you will try some rice and beans
552
1 today, Senator Libous. And maybe it will
2 influence your decision-making.
3 (Laughter.)
4 SENATOR ESPAILLAT: But we hope
5 that you enjoy the festivities that we have
6 today, and we're very happy to have them with us
7 today. This has become a tradition.
8 Thank you for so much for allowing
9 them to come into the chambers and extending the
10 courtesies of this house.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Thank
12 you, Senator Espaillat.
13 And today is President Lincoln's
14 actual birthday, so that was a good point of
15 history that you made. And we can all celebrate
16 the Mardi Gras down there today with some great
17 Dominican food.
18 Senator Rivera.
19 SENATOR RIVERA: Thank you,
20 Mr. President.
21 First of all, bienvenidos. I bid
22 welcome to the chamber to these distinguished
23 guests from the Dominican Republic.
24 As my colleague Adriano Espaillat
25 calls me sometimes, he says I am "el Boricua
553
1 aplatanao," which means kind of the plantained
2 Puerto Rican, if you will, since I have so many
3 Dominicans that live in my district.
4 I have the great honor of
5 representing what I believe is the largest
6 population of Dominicans living outside of
7 Santo Domingo. They live in New York, they live
8 in the Bronx, and they live in my district. As a
9 matter of fact, I have four or five staffers that
10 are Dominican in the group of people that make up
11 my team.
12 So I am blessed to be their
13 representative. I am blessed to be in the Bronx
14 where there's such a vibrant Dominican
15 community. And I'm blessed to be here in the
16 Senate to welcome them and celebrate the
17 169th birthday of their country.
18 And I will continue to be not only
19 their representative but continue to hopefully be
20 a Puerto Rican that is still welcome amongst
21 Dominicans. And hopefully that what's what
22 happens.
23 So I join my colleagues today in
24 celebrating this with them and probably will be
25 joining our good friend Senator Libous on getting
554
1 some nice rice and beans, maybe some pork, some
2 mofongo, some -- you know, we'll figure it out.
3 But we'll certainly do that together.
4 Thank you so much, Mr. President.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
6 question is on the resolution. All in favor
7 signify by saying aye.
8 (Response of "Aye.")
9 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Opposed?
10 (No response.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
12 resolution is adopted.
13 We want to welcome our visitors, the
14 members of Congress from the Dominican Republic.
15 We extend the courtesies of the house.
16 (Applause.)
17 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
18 Libous.
19 SENATOR LIBOUS: Thank you,
20 Mr. President.
21 I too want to welcome our guests
22 from the Dominican Republic.
23 I think on this resolution we would
24 like to open it up for all members. And if a
25 member, as our policy goes, wishes not to be the
555
1 resolution, let the front desk know.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: So
3 instructed, so noted.
4 SENATOR LIBOUS: I believe there's
5 a resolution at the desk by Senator Rivera,
6 Resolution 429. May we have the resolution read
7 in its entirety, and we'll move for its immediate
8 adoption.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
10 Secretary will read.
11 THE SECRETARY: Legislative
12 Resolution Number 429, by Senator Rivera,
13 honoring the Bronx School for Law, Government and
14 Justice upon the occasion of its designation as
15 recipient of the 2012 National Arts and
16 Humanities Youth Program Award for debate.
17 "WHEREAS, A great state is only as
18 great as those individuals who perform exemplary
19 service on behalf of their community, whether
20 through unique achievement in professional or
21 other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of
22 good citizenship; and
23 "WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern,
24 and in full accord with its long-standing
25 traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud
556
1 to honor the Bronx School for Law, Government and
2 Justice upon the occasion of its designation as
3 recipient of the 2012 National Arts and
4 Humanities Youth Program Award for debate; and
5 "WHEREAS, The Bronx School for Law,
6 Government and Justice received this auspicious
7 award for their after-school debate team. In
8 addition to the award, First Lady Michelle Obama
9 made a special visit to the school and met with
10 the four members of the debate team, which was
11 started by history teacher Eric Fogel, who, along
12 with other volunteer teachers and staff, started
13 the New York City Urban Debate League, which is
14 comprised of 400 students and 40 schools; and
15 "WHEREAS, Starr Arroyo, Yaira
16 Brito, Ashley Meija, and Stephanie Nyame are the
17 members of the Bronx School for Law, Government
18 and Justice debate team, and Sophomore Starr
19 Arroyo was selected to speak in front of the
20 First Lady; and
21 "WHEREAS, It is the practice of this
22 Legislative Body that when individuals of such
23 noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
24 attention, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim
25 and commend those individuals for the edification
557
1 and emulation of others; and
2 "WHEREAS, Such service, which is
3 truly the lifeblood of the community and the
4 state, so often goes unrecognized and unheralded;
5 now, therefore, be it
6 "RESOLVED, That this Legislative
7 Body pause in its deliberations to honor the
8 Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice upon
9 the occasion of its designation as recipient of
10 the 2012 National Arts and Humanities Youth
11 Program Award for debate; and be it further
12 "RESOLVED, That a copy of this
13 resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to
14 the Bronx School for Law, Government and
15 Justice."
16 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
17 Rivera.
18 SENATOR RIVERA: Thank you,
19 Mr. President.
20 As we do often in this chamber, we
21 not only do legislation in this chamber, we take
22 a second to recognize folks that have served the
23 state, much like we did with Senator Gold. We
24 recognize the diversity of the state, much like
25 when we did when we're talking either about our
558
1 Albanian visitors or our Dominican visitors. But
2 we also take some time to talk about the folks
3 that might be joining us down here on this floor
4 potentially in the future.
5 We have four of these students with
6 us today. I must take a second to say that the
7 school, the Bronx School for Law, Government and
8 Justice, is not in my district, it is in
9 Senator Serrano's district, and that he -- well,
10 it is your district. Don't shake your head, it
11 is.
12 And that we have a couple of
13 constituents here that are my constituents, and I
14 wanted to take a second to honor them.
15 Now, they are again the Bronx School
16 for Law, government and Justice, and it was
17 founded in 1997. And the group of folks that are
18 here today, what they did is that they won the
19 2012 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program
20 Award. And it's not a small thing. Not only
21 does it give them -- they were only one of
22 12 teams to receive this award nationally.
23 They also got the chance to speak in
24 front of the First Lady. And I'm going to ask
25 them about that, since I've only had the chance
559
1 to meet her once and I just spoke to her for like
2 five seconds. So it's probably that most of you
3 spoke to her more than I did.
4 We wanted to make sure that we take
5 a second to say these are the folks that we want
6 to make sure we honor, we talk about what their
7 successes are, and hopefully, again, you might be
8 joining us one day down here.
9 And I'll say it again, we have four
10 folks -- well, five folks joining us today. The
11 students, Starr Arroyo -- Starr, if you could
12 stand. That lady right there had the chance to
13 speak to the First Lady. I'm going to ask her
14 how that went. We also have Yaira Brito --
15 Yaira, please stand -- Ashley Meija, and
16 Stephanie Nyame.
17 These four students, along with
18 their chaperone, Kimberly Felder, are part of the
19 Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice, and
20 they were the recipients of this award.
21 So today I say to you
22 congratulations on your success so far. And
23 again, I hope that the debating skills that you
24 practiced by receiving this prize help you a
25 little bit. Because let me tell you, some of the
560
1 folks down here, myself included, could certainly
2 use some pointers sometimes on how to debate our
3 colleagues. So thank you so much for joining us
4 today.
5 And I would ask my colleagues if
6 you'd take a second to honor them and just give
7 them a hand, if we could.
8 (Applause.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: We welcome
10 you to the chamber. Congratulations and best
11 wishes.
12 The question is on the resolution.
13 All in favor signify by saying aye.
14 (Response of "Aye.")
15 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Opposed?
16 (No response.)
17 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
18 resolution is adopted.
19 Senator Libous.
20 SENATOR LIBOUS: Mr. President, I
21 believe there's a resolution at the desk by
22 Senator Serrano, Number 476. May we have the
23 title read and move for its immediate adoption.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
25 Secretary will read.
561
1 THE SECRETARY: Legislative
2 Resolution Number 476, by Senator Serrano,
3 mourning the death of Dolores Prida,
4 distinguished citizen and devoted member of her
5 community.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator
7 Serrano.
8 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
9 Mr. President.
10 Today I rise to honor the life of
11 Dolores Prida, a journalist, playwright, activist
12 and resident of East Harlem.
13 Dolores passed away unexpectedly on
14 January 20th at just 69 years of age. Dolores
15 will be missed by those who knew her personally,
16 and all of those who knew her work. Although
17 she's not with us today, her legacy and impact
18 will always live on.
19 Dolores was born and raised in Cuba,
20 and eventually fled to the U.S. following the
21 revolution. Once in the U.S., Dolores quickly
22 established herself as a world-class journalist,
23 as a writer for publications like El Tiempo, and
24 eventually moving on to a monthly English column
25 in the Daily News for seven years, as well as a
562
1 weekly column for El Diario.
2 Dolores is also known for her
3 abilities as a playwright, where she wrote over a
4 dozen plays, including the critically acclaimed
5 "Beautiful Senoritas."
6 Although for all of her wonderful
7 work, Dolores is perhaps best known for her
8 weekly column which she penned in Latina magazine
9 for the last dozen years, "Dolores Dice," or in
10 English, "Dolores Says." It was this column
11 which earned her the nickname "the Latina
12 Dear Abby."
13 Throughout her writing, Dolores's
14 wisdom and guidance was used for everything from
15 romantic advice, settling family disputes, and
16 giving commentary on our daily lives. But
17 Dolores was also unafraid to tackle bigger
18 issues. In her column and in her opinion
19 editorials, Dolores would take on some of the
20 pressing issues facing the nation, like gun
21 control and immigration. This type of advocacy
22 will be surely missed.
23 Dolores was truly one of a kind.
24 The East Harlem community, the Latino community,
25 and the state as a whole mourns her death.
563
1 Thank you, Mr. President.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Thank
3 you, Senator Serrano.
4 The question is on the resolution.
5 All in favor signify by saying aye.
6 (Response of "Aye.")
7 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Opposed?
8 (No response.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The
10 resolution is adopted.
11 Senator Libous.
12 SENATOR LIBOUS: Is there any
13 further business at the desk?
14 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: There is
15 no further business before the desk.
16 SENATOR LIBOUS: Mr. President,
17 Senator Skelos hands up the following Republican
18 conference assignments.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: So
20 received.
21 Senator Libous.
22 SENATOR LIBOUS: Mr. President,
23 Senator Klein hands up the following IDC
24 conference assignments.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Received.
564
1 Senator Libous.
2 SENATOR LIBOUS: Mr. President, in
3 consultation with Senator Stewart-Cousins,
4 Senator Klein and Senator Skelos hand up the
5 following Democratic conference assignments.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: So
7 received and so ordered.
8 Senator Libous.
9 SENATOR LIBOUS: Before we adjourn,
10 I have a committee announcement that I'd like to
11 make.
12 Senator Gallivan says that the
13 Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee
14 will meet immediately following session in
15 Room 123. So let me repeat that: Crime Victims,
16 Crime and Corrections to meet in Room 123
17 immediately following session.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: So
19 noted. The Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections
20 Committee will meet immediately following session
21 in Room 123.
22 SENATOR LIBOUS: All right. Now
23 for the good news, Mr. President. There being no
24 further business, I move we adjourn until
25 Wednesday, February 27th, at 3:00 p.m.,
565
1 intervening days being legislative days.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: On motion
3 of Senator Libous, the Senate stands adjourned
4 until Wednesday, February 27th, at 3:00 p.m.,
5 with intervening days being legislative days.
6 The Senate stands adjourned.
7 (Whereupon, at 12:16 p.m., the
8 Senate adjourned.)
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