Regular Session - March 10, 2015

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 1               NEW YORK STATE SENATE

 2                          

 3                          

 4              THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD

 5                          

 6                          

 7                          

 8                          

 9                  ALBANY, NEW YORK

10                   March 10, 2015

11                     5:11 p.m.

12                          

13                          

14                  REGULAR SESSION

15  

16  

17  

18  SENATOR THOMAS D. CROCI, Acting President

19  FRANCIS W. PATIENCE, Secretary

20  

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 1               P R O C E E D I N G S

 2                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   The 

 3   Senate will come to order.  

 4                I ask everyone present to please 

 5   rise and repeat with me the Pledge of 

 6   Allegiance.

 7                (Whereupon, the assemblage recited 

 8   the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)

 9                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   In the 

10   absence of clergy, may please we bow our heads 

11   in a moment of silence.

12                (Whereupon, the assemblage 

13   respected a moment of silence.)

14                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   The 

15   reading of the Journal.

16                THE SECRETARY:   In Senate, Monday, 

17   March 9th, the Senate met pursuant to 

18   adjournment.  The Journal of Sunday, March 8th, 

19   was read and approved.  On motion, Senate 

20   adjourned.

21                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   Without 

22   objection, the Journal stands approved as read.

23                Presentation of petitions.

24                Messages from the Assembly.

25                Messages from the Governor.


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 1                Reports of standing committees.

 2                Reports of select committees.

 3                Communications and reports from 

 4   state officers.

 5                Motions and resolutions.

 6                Senator Hannon.

 7                SENATOR HANNON:   Mr. President, I 

 8   believe Senator Gianaris has a motion.

 9                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   Senator 

10   Gianaris.  

11                SENATOR GIANARIS:   Mr. President, 

12   on behalf of Senator Rivera, I move that the 

13   following bill be discharged from its respective 

14   committee and be recommitted with instructions 

15   to strike the enacting clause:  Senate Bill 

16   2220.

17                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   So 

18   ordered.

19                Senator Hannon.

20                SENATOR HANNON:   Mr. President, 

21   I'd like now to move that we adopt the 

22   Resolution Calendar, with the exception of 

23   Resolution Number 910, by Senator Skelos.

24                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   All in 

25   favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar, with 


                                                               660

 1   the exception of Resolution Number 910, signify 

 2   by saying aye.

 3                (Response of "Aye.")

 4                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   Opposed, 

 5   nay.

 6                (No response.)

 7                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   The 

 8   Resolution Calendar is adopted.

 9                SENATOR HANNON:   I'd like to ask 

10   you now to take up Resolution 910 and read it in 

11   its entirety.

12                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   The 

13   Secretary will read.

14                THE SECRETARY:   Legislative 

15   Resolution Number 910, by Senators Skelos, Klein 

16   and Stewart-Cousins, mourning the death of His 

17   Eminence Cardinal Edward M. Egan, Archbishop 

18   Emeritus of New York and noted spiritual leader.  

19                "WHEREAS, It is with profound 

20   sorrow that this Legislative Body, representing 

21   the people of the State of New York, is moved 

22   this day to pay tribute to a preeminent Catholic 

23   leader of indomitable faith and dedication whose 

24   purposeful life and accomplishments will forever 

25   stand as a paradigm and inspiration for others; 


                                                               661

 1   and 

 2                "WHEREAS, A truly sincere and 

 3   faithful shepherd of the Roman Catholic Church, 

 4   His Eminence Cardinal Edward M. Egan died on 

 5   Thursday, March 5, 2015, in Manhattan, at the age 

 6   of 82; and 

 7                "WHEREAS, Born in Oak Park, 

 8   Illinois, a Chicago suburb, on April 2, 1932, 

 9   Edward Michael Egan was the third of four 

10   children to Thomas and Genevieve Costello Egan, 

11   both devout Catholics; and 

12                "WHEREAS, In 1943, young Edward 

13   contracted polio; although he missed two years at 

14   St. Giles Catholic School, he still managed to 

15   graduate at the top of his class; and

16                "WHEREAS, In 1951, he graduated from 

17   Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in 

18   Chicago; he continued his education and earned a  

19   bachelor's degree in philosophy at St. Mary of 

20   the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, illinois, before 

21   completing four years of theological studies at 

22   Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he 

23   was ordained on December 15, 1957; and 

24                "WHEREAS, Assigned to Holy Name 

25   Cathedral in Chicago, Edward M. Egan taught 


                                                               662

 1   convert classes and served as a hospital 

 2   chaplain; he then became the private secretary  

 3   to Cardinal Meyer, before being named Assistant 

 4   Chancellor of the Archdiocese; and 

 5                "WHEREAS, Edward M. Egan returned to 

 6   Rome in 1960, to attend Pontifical Gregorian 

 7   University; after four years, he earned his 

 8   Doctorate in Canon Law; and 

 9                "WHEREAS, Upon graduating, he went 

10   back to Chicago to serve as Cardinal Cody's 

11   secretary and later Co-Chancellor of the 

12   Archdiocese, working on interfaith relations and 

13   social concerns until 1971, when he once again 

14   returned to Rome, this time staying until 1985; 

15   and 

16                "WHEREAS, While in Rome, he worked 

17   as a law professor and later a judge of the 

18   Sacred Roman Rota, part of the Vatican's court 

19   system, dealing with marriage annulments and 

20   other issues; Edward M. Egan was one of just six 

21   lawyers who reviewed Pope John Paul's Code of 

22   Canon Law, some 1,750 doctrines governing  the  

23   church, which was promulgated in 1983; and 

24                "WHEREAS, In 1985, Edward M. Egan 

25   was named Auxiliary Bishop of New York and Vicar 


                                                               663

 1   of Education for the Archdiocese under Cardinal 

 2   O'Connor; three years later, he was named Bishop 

 3   of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, made 

 4   up of more than 80 parishes, a diverse population 

 5   of 360,000 Catholics and masses celebrated in 20 

 6   languages; and 

 7                "WHEREAS, On June 19, 2000, Edward 

 8   M. Egan was installed as the ninth Archbishop of 

 9   New York, the esteemed position he held for nine 

10   years until his retirement in 2009; and 

11                "WHEREAS, In addition, Archbishop 

12   Edward M. Egan was elevated to the Cardinalate by 

13   Pope John Paul II at the Consistory of 

14   February 21, 2001, becoming the Cardinal-Priest 

15   of both Saint John and Saint Paul; and 

16                "WHEREAS, As Archbishop, Cardinal 

17   Edward M. Egan was one of America's most familiar 

18   Catholic leaders; he lived his life based on 

19   principles and values of compassion, integrity, 

20   justice and kindness; his empathy will continue 

21   to serve as comfort to those seeking to make the 

22   world a more loving and just place; and 

23                "WHEREAS, Cardinal Edward M. Egan's 

24   legacy will live forever, not only in the many, 

25   many lives he touched, but in the good works he 


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 1   has left behind; he reached out to constituents, 

 2   visiting parishes, schools, hospitals, nursing 

 3   homes, daycare centers and other institutions; 

 4   furthermore, he wrote columns for Catholic 

 5   publications and hosted a weekly satellite radio 

 6   program on church and religious affairs; and 

 7                "WHEREAS, It is the sense of this 

 8   Legislative Body to celebrate the life of this 

 9   esteemed religious leader who accepted the 

10   responsibilities of moral leadership and who 

11   dedicated his life to serving others, and to 

12   express its deepest condolences to His Eminence's 

13   nieces and nephews; he will truly be missed by 

14   all those he befriended and served; now, 

15   therefore, be it 

16                "RESOLVED, That this Legislative 

17   Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the 

18   death of His Eminence Cardinal Edward M. Egan, 

19   Archbishop Emeritus of New York and noted 

20   spiritual leader, as well as rejoice in his  

21   life, noting his unremitting and compassionate 

22   faith in his service to God, man and his 

23   community; and be it further 

24                "RESOLVED, That copies of this  

25   resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to 


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 1   the family of His Eminence Cardinal Edward M. 

 2   Egan, and the Archdiocese of New York."

 3                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   Senator 

 4   Skelos.

 5                SENATOR SKELOS:   Thank you, 

 6   Mr. President.  And congratulations on presiding 

 7   for the first time.  

 8                Today we join the Archdiocese of 

 9   New York City and Catholics throughout the world 

10   in mourning a remarkable spiritual leader.  His 

11   Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan was a man of great 

12   character who provided inspiration to people of 

13   all faiths -- and I underline that, people of all 

14   faiths.  

15                While he was a native of Chicago, it 

16   was here in New York we were able to witness 

17   Cardinal Egan's ability to strengthen the 

18   Catholic Church and the communities it serves.  

19   And in particular, when I had the opportunity to 

20   have lunch with him, his biggest concern was 

21   making sure that our kids, especially in New York 

22   City underserved communities, had the quality of 

23   education that they deserve, whether it's in the 

24   public school or in parochial schools.  

25                Our city and state experienced many 


                                                               666

 1   highs and lows during the nine years he served as 

 2   archbishop, but no day had more of an impact than 

 3   the terrorist attacks of September 11th.  

 4                Amidst the catastrophic loss of life 

 5   and the searching to make sense of something that 

 6   had been unthinkable, Cardinal Egan helped 

 7   console a country through prayer -- not just 

 8   New York City, not just New York State, the 

 9   entire country.  He compassionately presided over 

10   funeral after funeral, offered insights to help 

11   us find peace in an uncertain time, and brought 

12   our entire region closer together with faith.  

13                It was through these personal 

14   encounters that people were able to feel the true 

15   warmth and kindness and his unending devotion to 

16   God.  Cardinal Egan was an extraordinary servant 

17   of the Lord here on earth, and we are grateful 

18   for the legacy he has gifted us.

19                While he was be dearly missed, we 

20   should find solace in the newest journey, the 

21   newest journey as he celebrates his exceptional 

22   life with God in heaven.

23                Thank you, Mr. President.

24                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   Senator 

25   Valesky.


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 1                SENATOR VALESKY:   Yes, thank you, 

 2   Mr. President.  

 3                I'm pleased to join Senator Skelos 

 4   today in offering some thoughts in regard to the 

 5   passing of Edward Cardinal Egan.  And I offer 

 6   these comments on behalf of Senator Klein and the 

 7   other members of the Senate Independent 

 8   Democratic Conference.  

 9                First, my deepest sympathies and 

10   condolences go out to the family of Edward 

11   Cardinal Egan, those serving the Archdiocese of 

12   New York, as well as the greater New York 

13   Catholic community.  

14                For many during this time of 

15   mourning, recurring thoughts and fond memories 

16   come up, and rightfully so.  Cardinal Egan served 

17   New York with distinction, with honor and with 

18   grace, and it is only fitting that we take this 

19   time to recognize his leadership.  He was not 

20   only a man of noble, steadfast faith, but a true 

21   spiritual leader whom we remember today with 

22   respect and admiration.  

23                There perhaps is no greater example 

24   in recent years of an individual in such an 

25   esteemed position of faith who was, by all 


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 1   accounts, a living example of the teachings that 

 2   he shared.  Cardinal Egan was known for his 

 3   grace, his kindness and his integrity.  He lived 

 4   the teachings of his church and at every turn in 

 5   his life joyfully shared those teachings with 

 6   others.  

 7                His legacy and works as the Cardinal 

 8   Archbishop of New York are many and well-known.  

 9   He was a fighting advocate for the benefits of 

10   Catholic education and was no stranger here in 

11   Albany, where he made his case for a fair share 

12   of funding for the schools he represented.

13                And as Senator Skelos indicated, in 

14   the days and months after September 11th he 

15   served as a true shepherd to his devastated 

16   flock, and he guided and tended to those 

17   suffering with the greatest level of compassion.  

18                And he worked throughout his tenure 

19   to ensure that the archdiocese continued to grow 

20   and to flourish.  There is perhaps no greater 

21   gift a man of his stature can leave those he 

22   served than the lessons and legacy of his work.  

23   And as we mourn the passing of Cardinal Egan, 

24   those lessons and the legacy of that work will no 

25   doubt live on through the Catholic Church in 


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 1   New York and its flock.  

 2                Thank you.

 3                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   Senator 

 4   Latimer.

 5                SENATOR LATIMER:   Thank you, 

 6   Mr. President.  

 7                I rise for a word about His Eminence 

 8   Edward Cardinal Egan.  

 9                As a parishioner myself in the 

10   archdiocese of New York, I had the opportunity 

11   not only to meet Cardinal Egan but to see his 

12   work over his tenure as cardinal for that 

13   archdiocese.  

14                And we all saw, those of us in the 

15   Catholic community, his strong will, his 

16   toughness, his smartness, and in his tenure, 

17   which was a difficult economic time for the 

18   archdiocese, for churches and schools, his 

19   ability to make tough decisions as a businessman 

20   would, but at the same time to do it a loving way 

21   as a clergyman would.

22                On Ash Wednesday, every Catholic 

23   receives ashes and the priest, when he puts the 

24   ashes on your forehead, says "Remember, man, that 

25   thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return."  


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 1   So it is to the dust that he has returned, except 

 2   that it is also written that he will be welcomed 

 3   into the company of the Lord in heaven.  "Well 

 4   done, thou good and faithful servant."

 5                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   Senator 

 6   Hannon.

 7                SENATOR HANNON:   Is there any 

 8   further business at the desk?

 9                Oh, excuse me, we have to adopt the 

10   resolution.

11                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   The 

12   question is on the resolution.  All in favor 

13   signify by saying aye.

14                (Response of "Aye.")

15                SENATOR HANNON:   Could we stand and 

16   show our sign of adoption of the resolution?  

17                (Whereupon, the assemblage rose.)

18                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   On the 

19   reason, all in favor signify by saying aye.

20                (Response of "Aye.")

21                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   Opposed, 

22   nay.

23                (No response.)

24                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   The 

25   resolution is adopted.


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 1                Senator Hannon.

 2                SENATOR HANNON:   Is there any 

 3   further business at the desk, Mr. President?  

 4                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   There is 

 5   none.

 6                SENATOR HANNON:   How about if we 

 7   ask everybody if they'd like to cosponsor the 

 8   resolution.

 9                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   Senator 

10   Hannon, the resolution will remain open for 

11   anyone wishing to cosponsor.

12                SENATOR HANNON:   I would actually 

13   suggest that we presume that everybody will be on 

14   the resolution unless they so object.

15                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   Anyone 

16   wishing not to be on the resolution will make 

17   note to the Secretary.

18                SENATOR HANNON:   All right, now we 

19   can check for business.  Anything further?  

20                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   No.  There 

21   being no further business --

22                SENATOR HANNON:   -- I move we 

23   adjourn until tomorrow, Wednesday, March 11th, at 

24   3:00 p.m.

25                ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:   On motion, 


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 1   the Senate stands adjourned until Wednesday, 

 2   March 11th, at 3:00 p.m.

 3                (Whereupon, at 5:26 p.m., the Senate 

 4   adjourned.)

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