Regular Session - February 14, 2023
861
1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
2
3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
5
6
7
8
9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 February 14, 2023
11 4:32 p.m.
12
13
14 REGULAR SESSION
15
16
17
18 SENATOR SHELLEY B. MAYER, Acting President
19 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
20
21
22
23
24
25
862
1 P R O C E E D I N G S
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The Senate
3 will come to order.
4 I ask everyone present to please
5 rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
6 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited
7 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: In the
9 absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a
10 moment of silent reflection or prayer.
11 (Whereupon, the assemblage respected
12 a moment of silence.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Reading of
14 the Journal.
15 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Monday,
16 February 13, 2023, the Senate met pursuant to
17 adjournment. The Journal of Friday, February 10,
18 2023, was read and approved. On motion, the
19 Senate adjourned.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Without
21 objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
22 Presentation of petitions.
23 Messages from the Assembly.
24 The Secretary will read.
25 THE SECRETARY: Senator Breslin
863
1 moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules,
2 Assembly Bill Number 1285 and substitute it for
3 the identical Senate Bill 1320, Third Reading
4 Calendar 88.
5 Senator Skoufis moves to discharge,
6 from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill
7 Number 611 and substitute it for the identical
8 Senate Bill 1328, Third Reading Calendar 96.
9 Senator Hoylman-Sigal moves to
10 discharge, from the Committee on Rules,
11 Assembly Bill Number 631 and substitute it for
12 the identical Senate Bill 1335, Third Reading
13 Calendar 103.
14 Senator Parker moves to discharge,
15 from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill
16 Number 978 and substitute it for the identical
17 Senate Bill 2227, Third Reading Calendar 164.
18 Senator Mayer moves to discharge,
19 from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill
20 Number 969 and substitute it for the identical
21 Senate Bill 2235, Third Reading Calendar 288.
22 Senator Krueger moves to discharge,
23 from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill
24 Number 622 and substitute it for the identical
25 Senate Bill 2621, Third Reading Calendar 289.
864
1 Senator Rhoads moves to discharge,
2 from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill
3 Number 1007 and substitute it for the identical
4 Senate Bill 2622, Third Reading Calendar 290.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:
6 Substitutions so ordered.
7 Messages from the Governor.
8 Reports of standing committees.
9 Reports of select committees.
10 Communications and reports from
11 state officers.
12 Motions and resolutions.
13 Senator Gianaris.
14 SENATOR GIANARIS: Madam President,
15 I move to adopt the Resolution Calendar, with the
16 exception of Resolutions 304, 434, and 443.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: All those
18 in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar,
19 with the exception of Resolutions 304, 434, and
20 443, please signify by saying aye.
21 (Response of "Aye.")
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Opposed?
23 (No response.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
25 Resolution Calendar is adopted.
865
1 Senator Gianaris.
2 SENATOR GIANARIS: Madam President,
3 we're going to simultaneously have a
4 Rules Committee meeting while the resolutions are
5 being taken up.
6 So please call an immediate meeting
7 of the Rules Committee in Room 332 and take up --
8 begin by taking up previously adopted
9 Resolution 297, by Senator Sepúlveda, read its
10 title only, and recognize Senator Sepúlveda.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: There will
12 be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in
13 Room 332.
14 The Secretary will read.
15 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
16 297, by Senator Sepúlveda, commending
17 Staff Sergeant Aquilino Gonell in recognition of
18 his prompt and heroic actions in protecting the
19 members of Congress and their staff while the
20 United States Capitol was under attack on
21 January 6, 2021.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
23 Sepúlveda.
24 SENATOR SEPÚLVEDA: Thank you,
25 Madam President, for allowing me to discuss this
866
1 resolution.
2 It's not every day that we bring a
3 truly authentic American hero into this body,
4 into this chamber. And today I present to you
5 one that all of us should be proud of, because he
6 sacrificed his life in the defense of democracy
7 on January 6th.
8 It's my honor to stand before you
9 today and recognize Staff Sergeant Aquilino
10 Gonell. He is a proud American citizen, a proud
11 New Yorker, and a proud Dominican American.
12 When he arrived in the United
13 States, he made New York City his home, where he
14 worked to achieve the American dream.
15 He received a college education and
16 joined the military. Serving in the U.S. Army
17 and the Army Reserve, he served at Operation
18 Iraqi Freedom.
19 Despite the challenges he faced as
20 an immigrant, Sergeant Gonell never wavered in
21 his commitment to his country and fellow
22 Americans. He joined the Capitol Police
23 Department in Washington, D.C., where he once
24 again put himself in harm's way to protect the
25 Constitution of the United States.
867
1 On January 6th, during the attack on
2 the U.S. Capitol, Sergeant Gonell demonstrated
3 remarkable bravery and courage. Despite being
4 subjected to chemical spray, suffering several
5 injuries, being cut and bled, requiring several
6 surgeries, he continued to serve for
7 15 consecutive days after the inauguration of
8 President Biden.
9 I want to tell you that Sergeant
10 Gonell has received -- and I believe is one of
11 the few Americans to ever receive both the
12 Presidential Citizens Medal and the Congressional
13 Gold Medal.
14 As you know, the President's Medal
15 is the second-highest honor you can bestow on a
16 citizen. The Congressional Gold Medal is the
17 highest honor you can bestow by Congress on a
18 citizen of this country.
19 Today it's a great honor to have
20 Sergeant Gonell with us, along with members of
21 his family, including his father and mother,
22 Mr. José Gonell and Mrs. Sabina Gonell.
23 The New York State Senate is proud
24 to honor Sergeant Gonell with this resolution,
25 J247, how he proudly testified before Congress on
868
1 July 27, 2022, recounting the events of that day,
2 ensuring that history accurately records the
3 horrible events that occurred and the violence
4 that he and many others were subjected to.
5 Sergeant Gonell will be writing a
6 book called "The American Shield: The Immigrant
7 Sergeant Who Defended Democracy."
8 As Sergeant Gonell continues to heal
9 from physical and mental injuries sustained
10 during the attack, the New York State Senate is
11 honored to pay tribute to his actions. I'm also
12 proud to announce that in early May of this year,
13 Sergeant Gonell will receive a recognition and
14 resolution from the Dominican Republic Senate in
15 the hands of Senator Alexis Victoria Yeb and the
16 Honorable President of the Senate, Eduardo
17 Estrella. This recognition marks the first time
18 that a person has received such a well-deserved
19 honor from both the New York State Senate and the
20 Senate of the Dominican Republic.
21 Let us all take a moment to reflect
22 on the incredible journey of Staff Sergeant
23 Gonell, a proud New Yorker and American
24 citizen -- a proud American citizen, a proud
25 Dominican American.
869
1 And I was touched when he gave me
2 this shield. It's got a shield, and inside it
3 says "First Responders Unit, United States
4 Capitol Police."
5 And allow me to say a few words in
6 Spanish. (In Spanish.)
7 I want you all to join me today in
8 recognizing and honoring this true great American
9 hero who has served this country in many
10 capacities. He deserves this honor and much
11 more.
12 Thank you.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
14 Senator Sepúlveda.
15 Senator Jackson on the resolution.
16 SENATOR JACKSON: Thank you,
17 Madam President.
18 So my colleagues, I rise in order to
19 congratulate our Staff Sergeant Gonell and his
20 family, which I had the opportunity before we
21 began our proceedings to meet his mother, father,
22 his sister, his brother, his niece, his uncle --
23 his whole family is behind him. And as Americans
24 we should all be behind him, congratulating him
25 for basically preserving the integrity of our
870
1 democracy in Washington, D.C.
2 And I -- if you know, I represent
3 part of Manhattan. You've heard me say this
4 before. But my district now goes from
5 Upper Manhattan and into the Bronx, where a
6 majority of the constituents that I represent are
7 of Dominican heritage. And I'm so proud --
8 talking to his uncle, he says he's a driver of a
9 cab and they talk about me all the time up in
10 Northern Manhattan.
11 But I'm so proud to be here today in
12 order to see this recognition to you on behalf of
13 what you stand for, for our country. And so
14 thank you for your service to make us all safe
15 and sound in our Washington, D.C.
16 Thank you.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
18 Senator Jackson.
19 Senator Kennedy on the resolution.
20 SENATOR KENNEDY: Thank you,
21 Madam President.
22 I rise today to recognize Staff
23 Sergeant Aquilino Gonell for swiftly stepping up
24 to protect others when our Capitol was under
25 attack on January 6, 2021. Not only did
871
1 Staff Sergeant Gonell proudly serve our country
2 during Operation Iraqi Freedom and in the
3 Army Reserve, but as we've heard here today, he
4 quite literally helped protect our democracy from
5 crumbling as insurrectionists attempted to wage
6 an ill-informed onslaught on our nation's
7 Capitol. It was an attack on democracy.
8 And Staff Sergeant Gonell stepped
9 up, and he met the challenge head on. As a
10 member of the Capitol Police Department in
11 Washington, D.C., Staff Sergeant Gonell found
12 himself at the center of the violence on
13 January 6th. Yet despite the dangers surrounding
14 him, he stayed true to his mission: Safeguarding
15 the U.S. Capitol and members of Congress inside.
16 He was soaked in chemical spray. He
17 sustained multiple injuries. And yet he stayed
18 the course, because he knew what he was defending
19 was worth protecting. We owe Staff Sergeant
20 Gonell an incredible debt of gratitude -- and
21 those we lost that day, and those that stood with
22 him to defend democracy on that fateful day that
23 will live in our nation in infamy.
24 They are all heroes. As
25 Staff Sergeant Gonell continues to heal, both
872
1 mentally and physically, from that day, we pray
2 for his recovery, we stand with him, and we hope
3 that he is strengthened by those that love and
4 care for him.
5 I'm honored to stand with all of my
6 colleagues here today as we honor this American
7 hero on the Senate floor. And I thank Senator
8 Sepúlveda for bringing this resolution forward.
9 Thank you so much for your service
10 to this state, to this nation, and to the global
11 community for standing up for democracy when
12 others may have wavered. For standing up for
13 what is right in the face of the challenge of
14 thousands of people that wanted to do you and
15 this nation harm. Thank you, Staff Sergeant.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
17 Senator Kennedy.
18 Senator Bailey on the resolution.
19 SENATOR BAILEY: Thank you,
20 Madam President.
21 We often wax poetic about certain
22 phrases. The word "hero" is one of those things
23 that we kind of -- just kind of throw out there,
24 right? We just -- "That's heroic" or "This is
25 heroic," or "You're a hero, you're a true
873
1 patriot."
2 As I watched January 6th unfold from
3 the safety and comfort of my own home, as I
4 watched the worst attack on democracy and on the
5 people of this great country happen from the
6 safety of my own home, Staff Sergeant, you were
7 in the midst of it. You didn't back down. You
8 did not forget what you were sworn to do, which
9 was protect the people -- not just around you,
10 but the people of the entire United States of
11 America.
12 We owe you more than a debt of
13 gratitude. We owe you more than a resolution.
14 We owe you more than the applause that we should
15 give you after everyone is concluded speaking.
16 We owe you a lifetime of respect. Because
17 leadership and being a hero is easy to do it when
18 it's somebody that you -- it's easy to do it when
19 it's your neighbor or your cousin or somebody.
20 But you were protecting people that you didn't
21 know, had never seen, would never meet again, for
22 the sake of our democracy. That is what a hero,
23 that is what a leader is.
24 And it proves something: That just
25 because you were not born on the soil of the
874
1 United States of America does not mean that you
2 do not have the heart of this country in mind.
3 You have come here from the Dominican Republic to
4 seek a better life for yourself and your family,
5 but in you seeking a better life, you have made
6 our lives better. By your heroism, by your
7 bravery, and quite frankly because of your
8 selflessness. Those of us who are in positions
9 not in law enforcement, we -- when danger comes,
10 we go the other way. You charge toward it. And
11 you charge towards it boldly.
12 I can't imagine what it is that you
13 think about on a daily basis by virtue of that
14 attack. I can't imagine how you process it on a
15 daily basis. But you did it, and you do it. And
16 you do it for people that you don't know.
17 I take my hat off to you, sir. You
18 are a true American hero. Your story should be
19 emblazoned on more than just the great
20 legislative record of this chamber. There should
21 be more people who see what you've done and
22 realize that they can do what you do and what
23 you've done. You're a true hero, sir.
24 I vote aye on the resolution,
25 Madam President.
875
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
2 Senator Bailey.
3 Senator Martinez on the resolution.
4 SENATOR MARTINEZ: Good afternoon,
5 Madam President. Thank you.
6 I rise today to thank Staff Sergeant
7 Aquilino Gonell for his service to our nation and
8 our state. Your selfless actions on January 6th
9 of 2021 showed the love and dedication that you
10 have for this nation during a time when so much
11 hatred was displayed.
12 I am hopeful the injuries you
13 sustained will heal. And I hope that our nation
14 also heals. And again, I want to thank you for
15 your service. {In Spanish: Thank you for being
16 here with us today.)
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
18 Senator Martinez.
19 Senator Cleare on the resolution.
20 SENATOR CLEARE: I rise to thank
21 you, Sergeant Gonell, for your actions on
22 January 6th.
23 I too, like others, sat in my home
24 and watched in utter disbelief at what was going
25 on in our country. You protected our Capitol.
876
1 You protected our representatives. You protected
2 your colleagues. You protected all of us. And
3 more importantly, you protected the core of our
4 country, which is our democracy. And we thank
5 you for that.
6 I proudly represent a significant
7 Dominican American population, maybe not quite as
8 much as Senator Jackson. But even more, I
9 represent a district of citizens who all owe you
10 a debt of gratitude for your service, your
11 bravery, for our state and our country. And we
12 thank you.
13 I proudly vote aye on the
14 resolution.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
16 Senator Cleare.
17 Senator Comrie on the resolution.
18 SENATOR COMRIE: Thank you,
19 Madam President.
20 Staff Sergeant Aquilino Gonell --
21 I'm sorry, I pronounced your name wrong: Gonell.
22 I never thought I'd have the opportunity to
23 personally thank someone that stood in the fray
24 on January 6th. I never thought I'd have an
25 opportunity to meet one of the officers that held
877
1 our country together in the face of hatred and
2 extreme prejudice.
3 I never thought that we'd have that
4 opportunity. I didn't get a chance to meet you,
5 but I'm going to hug you later, because you stood
6 in the path, you created and saved our democracy.
7 I don't know that many of us would
8 stand in the face of hatred when hatred was so
9 imposed upon you. I don't know that many of us
10 would stand there and get sprayed and cussed and
11 beaten when people were determined to do harm. I
12 don't know if many of us would be able to fight
13 off anger when it was so prevalent.
14 I want to thank you. You know, they
15 said you're an American. We all are immigrants
16 to this country, as I've said in this chamber
17 before. Unless you're an American Indian, we're
18 all immigrants to this country. But you
19 understand the pride of this nation, what this
20 country is all about, what democracy truly is,
21 and what is holding the line against hate.
22 I want to thank you for your
23 service. I want to thank you for joining the
24 armed services. I want to thank you for your
25 belief in this country. And I'm getting
878
1 emotional, so I'm going to sit down. I've never
2 had a chance, I never thought I'd have this
3 opportunity to meet someone from that day.
4 Thank you.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
6 Senator Comrie.
7 Senator Martins on the resolution.
8 SENATOR MARTINS: Thank you,
9 Madam President.
10 I too rise to thank Senator
11 Sepúlveda for bringing forth this resolution. I
12 had the opportunity to meet with the staff
13 sergeant and his family before session; we had a
14 few moments before we were able to convene. And
15 I just want to take the opportunity, sir, to
16 congratulate you, to thank you for your service.
17 I want to thank your parents and the
18 pride they have today in being here in the
19 New York State Senate, watching as their son is
20 honored for his bravery and his service to his
21 country, his service to the community.
22 You know, we talk about things like
23 bravery, heroes. We talk about things in this
24 chamber all the time about supporting those who
25 hold the line in law enforcement. And that's
879
1 what I see this resolution really being about.
2 It's our recognizing how important it is -- and
3 should be to every one of us, and every one of
4 our constituents throughout New York State -- to
5 stand with law enforcement. To stand with those
6 who stand up against those who would do harm to
7 others.
8 For you, sir, it was at the
9 United States Capitol. For so many here in
10 New York State, in our own communities, in our
11 counties and our villages, in the city,
12 throughout this great state, we have people who
13 serve this state honorably each and every day.
14 Heroes in our communities who stand up and
15 enforce the laws that we in this chamber have had
16 the privilege of passing over the years.
17 So Staff Sergeant, to you, to your
18 family, thank you.
19 And to my dear friend Senator
20 Sepúlveda, thank you so much for reminding us all
21 that it is our responsibility, when we have the
22 opportunity, to recognize heroism, to recognize
23 courage, and to stand up for those who stand up
24 for us and our families each and every day in
25 protecting us in our communities.
880
1 Madam President, I vote aye.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
3 Senator Martins.
4 Senator Ashby on the resolution.
5 SENATOR ASHBY: Thank you,
6 Madam President.
7 Staff Sergeant Gonell, thank you for
8 being the best of what the United States has to
9 offer. Thank you for your family, for being here
10 today and reminding us of what it is to be an
11 American hero. Not only volunteering to serve at
12 a time when many did not, when it was
13 unpopular -- coming home and choosing to serve
14 again. It's a remarkable decision. It's a
15 remarkable life. And it's an example for all of
16 us here to follow and carry on that tradition.
17 Thank you. I proudly vote aye.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
19 Gounardes on the resolution.
20 SENATOR GOUNARDES: Thank you,
21 Madam President.
22 I think a lot of my colleagues have
23 said what I think so many of us are thinking in
24 thanking Staff Sergeant Gonell for his service
25 and his selflessness.
881
1 But I want to call attention to,
2 one, the important symbolism of your heroic
3 deeds. Because on the day that you responded at
4 the Capitol, that was the first and only time in
5 our nation's history when a Confederate flag made
6 it into our Capitol building. There was a Civil
7 War 160-something years ago, and even then the
8 enemies of this country, those who did not
9 believe in the American way of life, could not
10 succeed in bringing a Confederate flag that stood
11 for everything we stand against, into that
12 building. But it did on January 6th.
13 And the symbolism of you, with where
14 you've come from and where you came and why you
15 came here, to be part of the effort, to be part
16 of the push, to be part of the fight to repel
17 that flag out of that Capitol building, cannot be
18 understated.
19 You who answered Lady Liberty's call
20 to come to this country in search of the American
21 life, the American way for you and your family
22 and your loved ones, to have, dare I say, the
23 honor to be the one to repel that flag out of
24 that Capitol building and protect our
25 democracy -- that symbolism is so rich. And it
882
1 is so important.
2 And while the courage which you
3 demonstrated and which your fellow officers
4 demonstrated in answer to that call is of course
5 significant, the fact that it was you, and the
6 fact that you were there, and where you came
7 from, and the fact that the flag flew in that
8 building, speaks volumes and is a testament to
9 the character and service that we honor here
10 today.
11 So I want to thank you. I join my
12 colleagues in thanking you for your service and
13 for what your story means to the rest of us and
14 how it inspires the rest of us.
15 And I proudly vote aye. Thank you.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
17 Senator Gounardes.
18 Staff Sergeant Gonell, thank you so
19 much for all you have done. Thank you for what
20 you have done. Thank you for joining us here
21 today. It is our honor to honor you.
22 We welcome and your family to our
23 chamber, and we hold you in the highest regard.
24 Thank you very much from all of our hearts.
25 (Extended standing ovation.)
883
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
2 resolution was previously adopted on
3 January 31st.
4 Senator Gianaris.
5 SENATOR GIANARIS: Thank you,
6 Madam President.
7 Let me also add my thanks to
8 Staff Sergeant Gonell and to Senator Sepúlveda
9 for giving us the opportunity to acknowledge him
10 today.
11 Next, we are moving on to
12 Resolution 304, by Senator Kennedy. Here he
13 comes. Please read the title of that resolution
14 and recognize Senator Kennedy.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
16 Secretary will read.
17 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
18 304, by Senator Kennedy, memorializing
19 Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 14,
20 2023, as Canada Day in the State of New York.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
22 Kennedy on the resolution.
23 SENATOR KENNEDY: Thank you,
24 Madam President.
25 I rise today to honor the
884
1 long-standing relationship between the
2 United States and Canada and to welcome our
3 guests who have joined us from the Canadian
4 Consulate in New York.
5 I'd ask them to stand and be
6 recognized. The acting consul general, Andre
7 Frenette. The Province of Quebec's delegate
8 general in New York, Martine Hebert. As well as
9 the director of the Province of Alberta's office
10 in Washington, D.C., Julia Barema.
11 I also want to recognize a former
12 staff member of mine, former chief of staff as
13 well as my former legislative director,
14 Rachel Homewood, who is the senior diplomatic
15 advisor to the Canadian Consulate.
16 New York's neighbor to the north
17 shares so much with us -- history, culture, and
18 the largest bilateral tourism industry in the
19 entire United States. More than 5.5 million
20 Canadians visit New York every single year -- and
21 yet our relationship is so much bigger than the
22 temporary visits.
23 Our proximity and partnership has
24 led to more than 700 Canadian-owned companies
25 putting down roots and creating more than 680,000
885
1 jobs throughout the state, demonstrating
2 collaboration and a commitment to opportunity.
3 Canada also serves as New York's
4 primary export market to the tune of
5 $13.8 billion in annual exports. And that list
6 is only expected to grow in the years to come.
7 In Western New York our ties to
8 Canada are part of our daily culture. Our AAA
9 baseball team, the Buffalo Bisons, is the proud
10 affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays -- sorry to my
11 Yankees and Mets fans. And when the border
12 controls prevented the Blue Jays from playing at
13 home, we in Buffalo adopted them, hosting two
14 memorable summers of Major League Baseball in
15 downtown Buffalo.
16 And on a night when the Buffalo
17 Sabres are taking on the Leafs, the Canadians or
18 the Senators at Key Bank Center, the seats are
19 full of fans from both sides of the border.
20 Healthy competition never hurt anyone.
21 As a matter of fact, we don't have
22 to wait to play these Canadian counterparts; the
23 Canadian fans flow over the border to support our
24 Buffalo Sabres quite often. When the COVID-19
25 pandemic hit, its magnitude felt enormous,
886
1 especially for border communities that have long
2 seen the other side not just as neighbors, but
3 family. Thankfully we stand here today on the
4 other side of that pandemic heartbreak.
5 As both of our nations continue to
6 rebuild, we recognize that we are so much more
7 than our shared border. In the light and the
8 dark, we are one together.
9 Today, the New York State Senate
10 joins together to recognize our friends to the
11 north, the existing partnership we share, and the
12 bright future ahead.
13 Madam President, please extend all
14 of the virtues of the house to our friends from
15 Canada. Thank you so much for making the trip
16 here once again. We appreciate all that you do
17 and our great partnership between our nations,
18 our State of New York, and Canada. Thank you.
19 Thank you, Madam President.
20 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator
21 Kennedy.
22 To our guests -- Acting Consul
23 General Frenette, Delegate General Martine
24 Hebert, Rachel Homewood, Taylor Reak and
25 Julia Barema -- thank you so much for joining us
887
1 today. We welcome you on behalf of the Senate.
2 We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of
3 the house. We look forward to recognizing you
4 and continuing to have you join us.
5 Thank you.
6 (Standing ovation.)
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
8 Gianaris.
9 SENATOR GIANARIS: Thank you,
10 Madam President.
11 Next, will you take up
12 Resolution 434, by Senator Ashby, read that
13 resolution's title, and recognize Senator Ashby,
14 please.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
16 Gianaris, the question is on the previous
17 resolution. All in favor signify by saying aye.
18 (Response of "Aye.")
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Opposed?
20 (No response.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
22 resolution is adopted.
23 The Secretary will read.
24 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
25 434, by Senator Ashby, memorializing Governor
888
1 Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 12, 2023, as
2 Operation Homecoming Recognition Day in the State
3 of New York.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
5 Ashby on the resolution.
6 SENATOR ASHBY: Thank you,
7 Madam President.
8 Operation Homecoming marks the
9 return of 591 prisoners of war from North Vietnam
10 following the Paris Peace Accords in 1973. It's
11 50 years as of February 12th.
12 All of them were brave. I want To
13 tell you about 11 of them today. The Alcatraz
14 Gang were the leaders of the POW resistance in
15 Vietnam. They were steadfast and unrelenting,
16 unwilling to share intelligence or be used as
17 props and enemy propaganda. And they paid for
18 it. They were held in solitary confinement for
19 years at a time. At night, they were forced into
20 tiny concrete rooms with bright lights, starved
21 and sleep-deprived. Their legs were shackled.
22 They were brutally beaten until they lost
23 consciousness, and they endured unspeakable
24 physical torture.
25 It's hard to understand, to really
889
1 understand that level of sacrifice, let alone
2 fully appreciate it. But we have to try. It's
3 our obligation. It's what we owe them.
4 I want to read to you their names:
5 George Thomas Coker. Jeremiah Denton. Harry
6 Jenkins. Sam Johnson. George McKnight. James
7 Mulligan. Howard Rutledge. Robert Shumaker.
8 James Stockdale. Nels Tanner. And from
9 New York, Ronald Storz, who never made it home,
10 dying in captivity.
11 For the survivors, their homecoming
12 wasn't a fairy tale. They encountered a
13 war-weary public who didn't understand that these
14 men didn't choose war, war chose them. A public
15 that failed to make a distinction between a
16 president who saw a war as an intractable
17 political problem and the young men who were sent
18 to fight for their lives.
19 Today and every day, this year and
20 every year, we have an opportunity to do better
21 by the men and women who put their lives on the
22 line for their very country. To show that "thank
23 you for your service" isn't a platitude, but a
24 mission statement.
25 Few soldiers will ever endure what
890
1 the Alcatraz Gang did, but every soldier endures
2 enough. This year's budget must invest in
3 life-saving peer-to-peer counseling programming.
4 It must invest in veteran housing. And we have
5 to provide more assistance to the compassionate
6 servants who are on the front lines of mental
7 health addiction services and PTSD treatment.
8 And I look forward to working with every single
9 person in this chamber to make that happen.
10 Thank you, and I proudly vote aye.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
12 Senator Ashby.
13 The question is on the resolution.
14 All in favor signify by saying aye.
15 (Response of "Aye.")
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Opposed?
17 (No response.)
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
19 resolution is adopted.
20 Senator Gianaris.
21 SENATOR GIANARIS: And now,
22 Madam President, Resolution 443, by
23 Senator Weber. Read that resolution's title and
24 recognize Senator Weber, please.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
891
1 Secretary will read.
2 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
3 443, by Senator Weber, honoring heart transplant
4 recipient Roxanne Watson for her ceaseless
5 dedication as a champion and advocate for organ
6 donation upon the milestone of personally adding
7 over 13,000 names to the National Organ Donor
8 Registry by herself.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
10 Weber on the resolution.
11 SENATOR WEBER: Madam President, I
12 rise today to recognize a remarkable individual
13 who has made immeasurable impact on our
14 community, Ms. Roxanne Watson.
15 Roxanne's story is one of
16 determination, hope, and selflessness. She is a
17 heart transplant recipient who spent over two
18 long years on a transplant list before receiving
19 a heart from her donor, Michael Bovill. This new
20 lease on life not only transformed Roxanne's
21 health but also sparked a passion within her to
22 help others in need. And so she set out on a
23 mission to raise awareness about the importance
24 of organ donation, and to encourage others to
25 sign up for the National Organ Donor Registry.
892
1 Today we recognize and celebrate
2 Roxanne's monumental achievement of personally
3 signing up 13,000 people to the National Organ
4 Donor Registry. This is a testament to her
5 tireless efforts and her unwavering commitment to
6 make a difference in the lives of others.
7 Her story has inspired countless
8 individuals, and her impact will be felt for
9 generations to come. Through her advocacy, she
10 has helped bring attention to the critical need
11 for organ donors, especially in the minority
12 populations who statistically need the most
13 organs.
14 If you live in Rockland County, you
15 will no doubt recognize her from the Donate Life
16 registration table at the mall, sporting events,
17 high schools, naturalization ceremonies, and
18 pretty much anywhere else a large crowd gathers.
19 If you do not live in Rockland
20 County, you may recognize her as a spokeswoman on
21 national television advertising campaigns.
22 Roxanne's connection to her donor,
23 Michael, clearly demonstrates the profound impact
24 one person's generosity can have on so many lives
25 around this country. The fact that Michael's
893
1 selfless act of donation saved not only Roxanne's
2 life, but also the lives of four others, is truly
3 remarkable.
4 By carrying a picture of Michael
5 with her wherever she goes, Roxanne keeps his
6 memory and his gift alive. And she continues to
7 inspire others to follow in his footsteps. Her
8 weekly radio show, "Michael's Gift," serves a
9 platform for her to spread awareness and to share
10 her story.
11 This bond is so powerful it's the
12 subject of a book called "Michael's Legacy:
13 Transcending Life and Death."
14 Roxanne's selflessness serves as a
15 reminder of the power of one individual and the
16 impact that one person can make on the world.
17 She has shown us that even in the face of
18 adversity, it is possible to persevere and to use
19 our experiences to help others. Her efforts have
20 brought hope to families waiting for life-saving
21 transplants and have saved numerous lives.
22 It's truly fitting that we honor
23 Roxanne on this special day, Valentine's Day.
24 Women's Heart Day is acknowledged on February
25 3rd, February 14th is Donor Remembrance Day, and
894
1 February is American Heart Month. All of these
2 days are important in their own right and
3 deserving of our recognition. But Valentine's
4 Day represents love and generosity, two qualities
5 that Roxanne embodies.
6 On behalf of the New York State
7 Senate and the people of New York, I have the
8 tremendous honor to present Roxanne Watson with
9 my first resolution. Roxanne is here with us
10 today in the gallery. So it is my privilege to
11 say directly to her: Thank you for your
12 unwavering commitment and your dedication to save
13 lives. You are a shining example of the power of
14 determination, compassion, and the human spirit.
15 You are a true hero and an inspiration to us all.
16 Your legacy will continue to inspire others, and
17 your remarkable contributions to this community
18 will be felt for years to come.
19 You know, I always tell my kids that
20 superheroes don't always wear capes. But
21 Roxanne, you're our superhero among us.
22 Madam President, please recognize
23 Roxanne Watson and extend her the privileges and
24 courtesies of the house.
25 Thank you.
895
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
2 Senator Weber.
3 To our guest, Roxanne Watson, with
4 her wonderful picture there, thank you. We
5 extend to you all the courtesies of this house.
6 We welcome you. We so appreciate all your work.
7 Please stand and be recognized by
8 the body.
9 (Standing ovation.)
10 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
11 question is on the resolution. All in favor
12 signify by saying aye.
13 (Response of "Aye.")
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Opposed?
15 (No response.)
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
17 resolution is adopted.
18 Senator Gianaris.
19 SENATOR GIANARIS: Madam President,
20 at the request of the various sponsors, the
21 resolutions we took up today are open for
22 cosponsorship.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
24 resolutions are open for cosponsorship. Should
25 you choose not to be a cosponsor of the
896
1 resolutions, please notify the desk.
2 Senator Gianaris.
3 SENATOR GIANARIS: I believe
4 there's a report of the Rules Committee at the
5 desk. Can we take that up, please.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
7 Secretary will read.
8 THE SECRETARY: Senator
9 Stewart-Cousins, from the Committee on Rules,
10 reports the following bills:
11 Senate Resolution 444, by
12 Senator Stewart-Cousins, amending Section 1 of
13 Rule VII of the Senate Rules;
14 Senate Print 3125, by
15 Senator Hinchey, an act to amend the
16 State Finance Law;
17 Senate Print 4134, by
18 Senator Parker, an act to amend the
19 Public Authorities Law;
20 Senate Print 4270, by
21 Senator Parker, an act to amend the
22 Agriculture and Markets Law.
23 All bills reported direct to third
24 reading.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
897
1 Gianaris.
2 SENATOR GIANARIS: I move to accept
3 the report of the Rules Committee.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: All those
5 in favor of accepting the report of the
6 Rules Committee, signify by saying aye.
7 (Response of "Aye.")
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Opposed,
9 nay.
10 (No response.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The report
12 is accepted.
13 Senator Gianaris.
14 SENATOR GIANARIS: At this point
15 let's return to motions and resolutions for a
16 moment and take up Senate Resolution 444, and
17 call on Senator Fernandez to be heard on that
18 resolution.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
20 Secretary will read.
21 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
22 444, by Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, amending
23 Section 1 of Rule VII of the Senate Rules, in
24 relation to the name of the Standing Committee on
25 Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
898
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
2 Fernandez on the resolution.
3 SENATOR FERNANDEZ: Thank you,
4 Madam President.
5 As the chair of Alcoholism and
6 Substance Abuse Committee, I can say confidently
7 that its members and our staff are committed to
8 fighting the stigma attached to addiction through
9 all policy and budgetary avenues available.
10 In the midst of the crisis, we can
11 sometimes be so focused on taking action that we
12 overlook the language and the power of our words
13 when spoken into the world. Words matter deeply.
14 And the more we learn, the more sophisticated our
15 language becomes.
16 This has been the case in my journey
17 becoming immersed in the recovery community.
18 That is why, on behalf of the recovery movement,
19 I am supporting this resolution by our fearless
20 leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, to rename the
21 Committee of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse to
22 Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders.
23 Why? The word "abuse" implies a
24 conscious decision to engage in a negative
25 behavior. But those with a substance use
899
1 disorder have a disease. The goal is to embrace
2 treatment over a punitive approach to these
3 individuals.
4 In fact, the DSM-5 no longer defines
5 the condition as "substance abuse" or "substance
6 dependence," but as substance use disorders.
7 "Abuse" is an ugly word. Child
8 abuse. Domestic abuse. Sexual abuse. In each
9 of these instances, there is a perpetrator
10 harming a victim. If we are going to truly
11 accept that addiction is a disease, we need to
12 stop using language that stigmatizes their
13 condition. This stigma is real, and research has
14 shown that it discourages people from seeking
15 treatment. So avoiding this language will
16 actually save lives.
17 As recovery counselor Don Coyhis
18 once said: "Words matter. If you want to care
19 for something, you call it a flower. If you want
20 to kill something, you call it a weed."
21 And in that spirit, I would like to
22 show some love to those struggling with addiction
23 this Valentine's Day by changing officially our
24 committee name to Alcoholism and Substance Use
25 Disorders.
900
1 Thank you.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
3 Senator Fernandez.
4 The question is on the resolution.
5 All those in favor signify by saying aye.
6 (Response of "Aye.")
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Opposed?
8 (No response.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
10 resolution is adopted.
11 Senator Gianaris.
12 SENATOR GIANARIS: Let's take up
13 the reading of the calendar, please.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
15 Secretary will read.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 88,
17 Assembly Print Number 1285, by Assemblymember
18 Fahy, an act to amend the General Business Law.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
20 last section.
21 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
22 act shall take effect immediately.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
24 roll.
25 (The Secretary called the roll.)
901
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
2 the results.
3 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
4 Calendar Number 88, voting in the negative:
5 Senator Brisport.
6 Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
8 is passed.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 96,
10 Assembly Print 611, by Assemblymember Paulin, an
11 act to amend the Executive Law.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
13 last section.
14 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
15 act shall take effect immediately.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
17 roll.
18 (The Secretary called the roll.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
20 the results.
21 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
23 is passed.
24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
25 103, Assembly Print 631, by Assemblymember
902
1 Carroll, an act to amend the Real Property Law.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
3 last section.
4 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
5 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
6 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2022.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
8 roll.
9 (The Secretary called the roll.)
10 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
11 Rhoads to explain his vote.
12 SENATOR RHOADS: Thank you,
13 Madam President.
14 I rise in support of the
15 legislation. I have had a conversation with the
16 sponsor. My district across the South Shore of
17 Long Island, as well as the North Shore of
18 Long Island, were impacted heavily by
19 Superstorm Sandy 12 years ago. As a result -- or
20 11 years ago. As a result of Superstorm Sandy,
21 many participated in the mandatory and optional
22 elevation programs through the Governor's Office
23 of Storm Recovery.
24 I have spoken with the sponsor to
25 raise my concerns about the applicability of this
903
1 bill to their circumstance, and he has been
2 generous enough to indicate that we'll work on
3 something together to provide an exception for
4 those families.
5 So thank you, Senator, for bringing
6 this bill to the floor and for working together
7 to address my concerns. I appreciate it, and I
8 vote in the affirmative.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
10 Rhoads to be recorded in the affirmative.
11 Announce the results.
12 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
13 Calendar Number 103, those Senators voting in the
14 negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello,
15 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Felder, Lanza, Martins,
16 Murray, O'Mara, Ortt, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weber.
17 Ayes, 49. Nays, 12.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
19 is passed.
20 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
21 164, Assembly Print Number 978, by Assemblymember
22 Paulin, an act to amend the Public Service Law.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
24 last section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
904
1 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
2 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2022.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
4 roll.
5 (The Secretary called the roll.)
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
7 the results.
8 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
9 Calendar Number 164, those Senators voting in the
10 negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello,
11 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming,
12 Lanza, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo,
13 Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber
14 and Weik.
15 Ayes, 42. Nays, 19.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
17 is passed.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
19 224, Senate Print 2301, by Senator Mayer, an act
20 to amend the Penal Law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
22 last section.
23 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
24 act shall take effect immediately.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
905
1 roll.
2 (The Secretary called the roll.)
3 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
4 the results.
5 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
6 Calendar Number 224, voting in the negative:
7 Senator Brisport.
8 Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
10 is passed.
11 THE SECRETARY: Excuse me. Also
12 Senator Salazar.
13 Ayes, 59. Nays, 2.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
15 is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 250, Senate Print 509, by Senator Thomas, an act
18 to amend the Administrative Code of the City of
19 New York.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
21 last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
23 act shall take effect on the 120th day after it
24 shall have become a law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
906
1 roll.
2 (The Secretary called the roll.)
3 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
4 the results.
5 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
6 Calendar Number 250, those Senators voting in the
7 negative are Senators Felder, Gounardes, Lanza,
8 Oberacker and O'Mara.
9 Ayes, 56. Nays, 5.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
11 is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 257, Senate Print 1974, by Senator Ramos, an act
14 to amend the Workers' Compensation Law.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
16 last section.
17 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
18 act shall take effect on the 30th day after it
19 shall have become a law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
21 roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
24 the results.
25 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
907
1 Calendar Number 257, those Senators voting in the
2 negative are Senators Lanza and Walczyk.
3 Ayes, 59. Nays, 2.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
5 is passed.
6 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
7 275, Senate Print 1290, by Senator Hinchey, an
8 act to amend the State Law.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
10 last section.
11 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
12 act shall take effect immediately.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
14 roll.
15 (The Secretary called the roll.)
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
17 the results.
18 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
20 is passed.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 288, Assembly Print 969, by Assemblymember
23 Burdick, an act to amend the Civil Rights Law.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
25 last section.
908
1 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
2 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
3 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2022.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
5 roll.
6 (The Secretary called the roll.)
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
8 the results.
9 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
10 Calendar 288, those Senators voting in the
11 negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello,
12 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Felder, Gallivan, Griffo,
13 Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker,
14 O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec,
15 Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
16 Ayes, 40. Nays, 21.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
18 is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 289, Assembly Print 622, by Assemblymember
21 O'Donnell, an act to amend the State Finance Law.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
23 last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
25 act shall take effect immediately.
909
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
2 roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
5 the results.
6 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
8 is passed.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
10 290, Assembly Print Number 1007, by
11 Assemblymember McDonald, an act to amend a
12 chapter of the Laws of 2022.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
16 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
17 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2022.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
19 roll.
20 (The Secretary called the roll.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
22 the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
24 Calendar Number 290, voting in the negative:
25 Senator O'Mara.
910
1 Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
3 is passed.
4 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
5 301 --
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: Madam President,
7 please recognize Senator Lanza.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
9 Lanza.
10 SENATOR LANZA: Madam President,
11 Senator Gianaris, can we pause to congratulate
12 Senator Rhoads on the passage of his first bill.
13 (Standing ovation.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
15 Secretary will read.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 301, Senate Print 1176, by Senator Harckham, an
18 act to amend Chapter 606 of the Laws of 2006.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
20 last section.
21 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
22 act shall take effect immediately.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
24 roll.
25 (The Secretary called the roll.)
911
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
2 Rhoads to explain his vote.
3 SENATOR RHOADS: Thank you. Thank
4 you so much, Madam President.
5 I just want to rise and thank my
6 colleague Senator Harckham for introducing this
7 legislation.
8 I know that Senator Oberacker, who
9 is attending a hearing today, has been a
10 volunteer firefighter for I believe the last
11 36 years. I myself have been proud to serve as a
12 volunteer firefighter for 30 years with my local
13 Wantagh Volunteer Fire Department, having spent
14 nine of those years as a line officer.
15 And from that vantage point -- and I
16 know we've taken the time to recognize some
17 heroes today -- from that vantage point I've had
18 the opportunity to witness incredible acts of
19 compassion, some incredible acts of heroism and
20 courage, by members of the volunteer fire service
21 all across this state, in virtually every one of
22 our districts, with the exception of the City of
23 New York.
24 In virtually every one of our
25 districts we have volunteer firefighters who are
912
1 answering the call, leaving their homes, leaving
2 their families, leaving their dinner tables to
3 put themselves in harm's way, to try and protect
4 the lives and property of people whom they've
5 never met, seeking nothing in return other than
6 the satisfaction of a job well done and the
7 knowledge that they were there to help their
8 neighbor in a time of need.
9 And so I wanted to thank
10 Senator Harckham -- and I was proud to be a
11 cosponsor on this bill -- thank him for
12 recognizing that service, recognizing that
13 sacrifice, and recognizing the dangers that
14 volunteer firefighters face every single day
15 because of their exposure to the unique dangers
16 of their firefighting activities.
17 So I proudly support the bill and
18 vote in the affirmative. So thank you,
19 Madam President.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
21 Rhoads to be recorded in the affirmative.
22 Announce the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
25 is passed.
913
1 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
2 reading of today's calendar.
3 SENATOR GIANARIS: Is there any
4 further business at the desk?
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: There is
6 no further business at the desk.
7 SENATOR GIANARIS: Move to adjourn
8 until tomorrow, Wednesday, February 15th, at
9 11:00 a.m.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: On motion,
11 the Senate stands adjourned until Wednesday,
12 February 15th, at 11:00 a.m.
13 (Whereupon, at 5:26 p.m., the Senate
14 adjourned.)
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25