Monday, July 1, 1996

9005 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ALBANY, NEW YORK 9 July 1, 1996 10 5:00 p.m. 11 12 13 REGULAR SESSION 14 15 16 17 SENATOR JOHN R. KUHL, JR., Acting President 18 STEPHEN F. SLOAN, Secretary 19 20 21 22 23 9006 1 P R O C E E D I N G S 2 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 3 Senate will come to order. Ask the members to 4 find their places, the staff to find their 5 places. I'd ask everybody in the chamber to 6 rise and join me in saying the Pledge of 7 Allegiance. Please remain standing for the 8 invocation. 9 (The assemblage repeated the 10 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.) 11 We're very pleased to be joined 12 by Peter G. Young of the Blessed Sacrament 13 Church of Bolton Landing. 14 Father Young. 15 REVEREND PETER G. YOUNG: Thank 16 you, Senator. 17 Let us pray. As we gather on 18 this beautiful, bright, sunny day in July, may 19 we remember the important people who made our 20 country possible by their work and dedication 21 for freedom. 22 May we remember too the Americans 23 who were killed in Saudi Arabia, and may we pray 9007 1 for ourselves that we might be delivered from 2 all illusion of superiority, from all pretense 3 of righteousness, from all arrogance and 4 hardness of heart and we might know the true 5 meaning of compassion in all of our elected 6 duties. We ask You this now and forever more. 7 Amen. 8 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Reading 9 of the Journal. 10 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, 11 Sunday, June 30th. The - 12 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Senator 13 Bruno. 14 SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President, 15 can we ask for an immediate meeting of the Rules 16 Committee in Room 332. 17 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: There 18 will be an immediate meeting of the Rules 19 Committee. Immediate meeting of the Rules 20 Committee in the Majority Conference Room, Room 21 332. Immediate meeting - 22 SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President. 23 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Yes, 9008 1 Senator Bruno. 2 SENATOR BRUNO: That will be 3 followed immediately by a meeting of the Rules 4 -- of the Finance Committee in same room, 332. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Immediate 6 meeting of the Rules Committee in the Majority 7 Conference Room, Room 332. That will be 8 followed by an immediate meeting of the Senate 9 Finance Committee in the same room. 10 The Secretary will read the 11 Journal. 12 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, 13 Sunday, June 30th. The Senate met pursuant to 14 adjournment, Senator Spano in the Chair upon 15 designation of the Temporary President. The 16 Journal of Saturday, June 29th, was read and 17 approved. On motion, the Senate adjourned. 18 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Hearing 19 no objection, the Journal stands approved as 20 read. 21 Presentation of petitions. 22 Messages from the Assembly. 23 Messages from the Governor. 9009 1 Reports of standing committees. 2 Reports of select committees. 3 Communications and reports from 4 state officers. 5 Motions and resolutions. 6 The Chair recognizes Senator 7 Tully. 8 SENATOR TULLY: Yes, Mr. 9 President. On behalf of Senator Kuhl, I wish to 10 call up his bill, Print Number 906, recalled 11 from the Assembly which is now at the desk. 12 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 13 Secretary will read the title. 14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 15 1241, by Senator Kuhl, Senate Print 906, an act 16 to amend the Tax Law. 17 SENATOR TULLY: Mr. President, I 18 now move to reconsider the vote by which this 19 bill was passed. 20 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 21 Secretary will call the roll on 22 reconsideration. 23 (The Secretary called the roll on 9010 1 reconsideration.) 2 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 35. 3 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Senator 4 Tully. 5 SENATOR TULLY: Yes, Mr. 6 President. I now offer the following 7 amendments. 8 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 9 amendments are received and adopted. 10 Senator Bruno. 11 SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President, 12 can we at this time adopt the Resolution 13 Calendar. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 15 motion is to adopt the Resolution Calendar, a 16 copy of which is on all the members' desks. All 17 those in favor signify by saying aye. 18 (Response of "Aye".) 19 Opposed, nay. 20 (There was no response.) 21 The Resolution Calendar is 22 adopted. 23 The Chair recognizes Senator 9011 1 Larkin. 2 SENATOR LARKIN: Mr. President, 3 Resolution Number 4057, I'd like to open that up 4 for every member. It honors the New York State 5 United Cerebral Palsy, and Senator Libous and I 6 would like to open it up to everybody. 7 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Senator 8 Bruno, would you like us -- it's been offered to 9 be co-sponsored on Senator Larkin's resolution, 10 4057. 11 SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President - 12 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Should we 13 put everybody on that except those people who do 14 not wish to be on the resolution? 15 SENATOR BRUNO: Good idea. 16 Please do, Mr. President. 17 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: I'll 18 direct that the Secretary do that. All those 19 members who don't wish to co-sponsor Resolution 20 Number 4050 by Senator Larkin, please indicate 21 to the desk your desires not to be co-sponsors 22 on the resolution. 23 Senator Bruno, that brings us to 9012 1 the calendar. 2 SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President, 3 can we at this time take up the non- -- the 4 controversial calendar -- the non-controversial 5 calendar. 6 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 7 Secretary will read the non-controversial 8 reading of Calendar No. 65. 9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 10 1262, by Senator Cook, Senate Print 7206-B, an 11 act to create the Wallkill Public Library 12 District. 13 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 14 Secretary will read the last section. 15 THE SECRETARY: Section 9. This 16 act shall take effect immediately. 17 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Call the 18 roll. 19 (The Secretary called the roll.) 20 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 35. 21 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The bill 22 is passed. 23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 9013 1 1551, by Senator DeFrancisco, Senate Print 2 6053-B, an act to amend the Public Health Law, 3 in relation to establishing an adoption medical 4 information sub-registry. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 6 Secretary will read the last section. 7 SENATOR DOLLINGER: Mr. 8 President. 9 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Yes, 10 Senator Dollinger. 11 SENATOR DOLLINGER: Is there an 12 amendment? 13 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Would you 14 like to debate the bill, Senator Dollinger? 15 SENATOR DOLLINGER: Yes, Mr. 16 President. Was the bill amended from the prior 17 version? 18 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Senator 19 Dollinger, do you wish to debate the bill? 20 SENATOR DOLLINGER: Just to ask a 21 question of the sponsor. 22 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Lay the 23 bill aside. 9014 1 The Secretary will continue to 2 read. 3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 4 1662, by Senator Kuhl, Senate Print 7294-A, an 5 act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, 6 in relation to wine tastings. 7 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 8 Secretary will read the last section. 9 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This 10 act shall take effect immediately. 11 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Call the 12 roll. 13 (The Secretary called the roll.) 14 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 35. 15 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The bill 16 is passed. 17 Senator Bruno, that completes the 18 reading of the non-controversial calendar. 19 SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President, 20 can we at this time take up the controversial 21 calendar. 22 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 23 Secretary will read the controversial calendar, 9015 1 beginning with Calendar Number 1551, by Senator 2 DeFrancisco. 3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 4 1551, by Senator DeFrancisco, Senate Print 5 6053-B, an act to amend the Public Health Law, 6 in relation to establishing an adoption medical 7 information sub-registry. 8 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Senator 9 Dollinger. 10 SENATOR DOLLINGER: Mr. 11 President, would the sponsor yield to just one 12 question? 13 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Senator 14 DeFrancisco, do you yield to a question from 15 Senator Dollinger? 16 SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Yes. 17 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 18 Senator yields. 19 SENATOR DOLLINGER: I thought 20 this was a good bill, Senator, the first time we 21 did it. I'm going to simply ask what was 22 amended to, I assume, make it a better bill. 23 SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: It's a 9016 1 better bill right now. The Department of Health 2 made a suggestion that -- and the suggestion was 3 to operate -- incorporated in this amendment and 4 that is that there's a fee for the registration 5 into this registry, but the Department of Health 6 agreed to waive the fee of any birth parent who 7 wanted to voluntarily provide information into 8 the registry for the benefit of an -- a child 9 that was placed for adoption. 10 That's the major change that - 11 to allow -- to give an incentive that birth 12 parents might want to provide the information to 13 the registry. We shouldn't have a fee for them 14 to do so, and they're waiving the fee on these 15 amendments. 16 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Is there 17 any other Senator wishing to speak on the bill? 18 (There was no response.) 19 The Secretary will read the last 20 section. 21 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This 22 act shall take effect on the 120th day. 23 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Call the 9017 1 roll. 2 (The Secretary called the roll.) 3 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 40. 4 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The bill 5 is passed. 6 Senator Skelos, that completes 7 the reading of the controversial calendar. 8 What's your pleasure? 9 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 10 as we're waiting for the Rules Committee report, 11 which is coming in right now, just a reminder 12 that there's a Finance Committee meeting in Room 13 332 of the Capitol. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: For the 15 benefit of the members who are not in the 16 chamber but are listening, there is a Finance 17 Committee meeting going on in the Majority 18 Conference Room, Room 332, right now. 19 Senator Skelos, we do have a 20 report of the Rules Committee at the desk, if 21 you'd like to return to the report of - 22 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 23 if we could return to reports of standing 9018 1 committees and have the Rules Committee report 2 read. 3 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: We will 4 return to the order of reports of standing 5 committees. 6 The Secretary will read the Rules 7 report. 8 THE SECRETARY: Senator Bruno, 9 from the Committee on Rules, reports the 10 following bills: 11 Senate Print 210-E, by Senator 12 Sears, an act to amend the Penal Law, in 13 relation to disseminating indecent material; 14 Assembly Print 1894, by member of 15 the Assembly Bragman, an act to amend the 16 Vehicle and Traffic Law, in relation to civil 17 penalties; 18 6132-B, by Senator Wright, an act 19 to authorize the village of Alexandria Bay, 20 county of Jefferson; 21 181-A, by Senator Tully, an act 22 to amend the General Municipal Law, in relation 23 to providing coverage for injuries sustained by 9019 1 Nassau County advanced ambulance medical 2 technicians; 3 3748, by Senator Leibell, an act 4 to amend the Criminal Procedure Law, in relation 5 to designating security officers; 6 And Senate Print 7873, by Senator 7 Larkin, an act to amend a chapter of the Laws of 8 1996 as proposed in legislative Bills Numbers 9 Senate 4254-A and Assembly 7590-A. 10 All bills ordered directly for 11 third reading. 12 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Senator 13 Skelos. 14 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, I 15 move we accept the report of the Rules 16 Committee. 17 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 18 motion is to accept the report of the Rules 19 Committee. All those in favor signify by saying 20 aye. 21 (Response of "Aye".) 22 Opposed, nay. 23 (There was no response.) 9020 1 The Rules report is accepted. 2 Senator Skelos. 3 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 4 if we could take up the non-controversial 5 reading of Supplemental Calendar Number 1. 6 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 7 Secretary will read the non-controversial 8 reading of Supplemental Calendar Number 1 which 9 is on all of the members' desks. 10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 11 26, by Senator Sears, Senate Print 210-E, an act 12 to amend the Penal Law, in relation to 13 disseminating indecent material to minors. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 15 Secretary will read the last section. 16 THE SECRETARY: Section 9. This 17 act shall take effect on the first day of 18 November. 19 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Call the 20 roll. 21 (The Secretary called the roll.) 22 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 43. 23 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The bill 9021 1 is passed. 2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 3 186, by member of the Assembly Bragman, Assembly 4 Print 1894, an act to amend the Vehicle and 5 Traffic Law, in relation to civil penalties 6 imposed. 7 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 8 Secretary will read the last section. 9 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This 10 act shall take effect on the first day of 11 November. 12 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Call the 13 roll. 14 (The Secretary called the roll.) 15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 43. 16 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The bill 17 is passed. 18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 19 1653, by Senator Wright, Senate Print 6132-B, an 20 act to authorize the village of Alexandria Bay, 21 county of Jefferson to discontinue the use of 22 certain lands. 23 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: There is 9022 1 a home rule message at the desk. The Secretary 2 will read the last section. 3 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This 4 act shall take effect immediately. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Call the 6 roll. 7 (The Secretary called the roll.) 8 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 43. 9 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The bill 10 is passed. 11 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 12 1684, by Senator Tully, Senate Print 181-A, an 13 act to amend the General Municipal Law, in 14 relation to providing coverage. 15 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: There's a 16 home rule message at the desk. The Secretary 17 will read the last section. 18 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This 19 act shall take effect January 1, 1999. 20 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Call the 21 roll. 22 (The Secretary called the roll.) 23 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 43. 9023 1 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The bill 2 is passed. 3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 4 1685, by Senator Leibell, Senate Print 3748, an 5 act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law, in 6 relation to designating security officers for 7 the Town Court of the town of Putnam Valley. 8 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 9 Secretary will read the last section. 10 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This 11 act shall take effect immediately. 12 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Call the 13 roll. 14 (The Secretary called the roll.) 15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 43. 16 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The bill 17 is passed. 18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 19 1686, by Senator Larkin, Senate Print 7873, an 20 act to amend a chapter of the Laws of 1996 as 21 proposed in legislative Bills, Numbers Senate 22 4254-A and Assembly 7590-A. 23 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: There is 9024 1 a home rule message at the desk. The Secretary 2 will read the last section. 3 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This 4 act shall take effect on the same date as a 5 chapter of the Laws of 1996. 6 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Call the 7 roll. 8 (The Secretary called the roll.) 9 THE SECRETARY: Ayes 43. 10 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The bill 11 is passed. 12 Senator Skelos, that completes 13 the reading -- the non-controversial reading and 14 the controversial reading. 15 SENATOR SKELOS: If we could just 16 stand at ease pending the report of the Finance 17 Committee. 18 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 19 Senate will stand at ease for a few moments 20 pending the report of the Senate Finance 21 Committee. 22 (Whereupon, the Senate stood at 23 ease from 5:28 p.m. until 5:35 p.m.) 9025 1 The Senate will come to order. 2 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President. 3 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The Chair 4 recognizes Senator Skelos. 5 SENATOR SKELOS: If we could 6 return to reports of standing committees, I 7 believe there's a report of the Finance 8 Committee at the desk. 9 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: We will 10 return to the order of standing committees. The 11 Secretary will read the report of the Senate 12 Finance Committee. 13 THE SECRETARY: Senator Stafford, 14 from the Committee on Finance, reports the 15 following nomination: 16 Member of the Port Authority of 17 New York and New Jersey, Peter S. Kalikow, of 18 New York City. 19 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 20 question is on the nomination. All those in 21 favor signify by saying aye. 22 (Response of "Aye".) 23 Opposed, nay. 9026 1 (There was no response.) 2 Senator Leichter in the 3 negative. 4 The nominee is confirmed. 5 The Secretary will continue to 6 read. 7 THE SECRETARY: Senator Stafford, 8 from the Committee on Finance, reports the 9 following nomination: 10 Member of the Stewart Airport 11 Commission, Louis Heimbach, of Middletown. 12 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 13 question is on the nomination of Louis Heimbach 14 to become a member of the Stewart Airport 15 Commission. All those in favor signify by 16 saying aye. 17 (Response of "Aye".) 18 Opposed, nay. 19 (There was no response.) 20 The nominee is confirmed. 21 The Secretary will continue to 22 read. 23 THE SECRETARY: Senator Stafford, 9027 1 from the Committee on Finance, reports the 2 following nomination: 3 Member of the Public Health 4 Council, Dr. Ernestine S. Pantel, of Ardsley. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 6 question is on the nominee -- nomination, I 7 should say, of Dr. Ernestine Pantel to become a 8 member of the Public Health Council. All those 9 in favor of the nomination signify by saying 10 aye. 11 (Response of "Aye".) 12 Opposed, nay. 13 (There was no response.) 14 The nominee is confirmed. 15 Secretary will continue to read. 16 THE SECRETARY: Senator Stafford, 17 from the Committee on Finance, reports the 18 following nomination: 19 Member of the Small Business 20 Advisory Board, Arthur A. Aldrich, of Airmont. 21 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 22 question is on the nomination. All those in 23 favor signify by saying aye. 9028 1 (Response of "Aye".) 2 Opposed, nay. 3 (There was no response.) 4 The nominee is confirmed. 5 The Secretary will continue to 6 read. 7 THE SECRETARY: Senator Stafford, 8 from the Committee on Finance, reports the 9 following nomination: 10 Member of State Council on the 11 Arts, Reba White Williams, of New York City. 12 SENATOR GOODMAN: Mr. President. 13 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The Chair 14 recognizes Senator Goodman, on the nomination. 15 SENATOR GOODMAN: Mr. President, 16 as the chairman of the Senate Special Committee 17 on the Arts and Cultural Affairs, it's my 18 pleasure to speak with respect to the nomination 19 of Reba White Williams for the State Council on 20 the Arts. 21 As you are aware, Mr. President, 22 and my colleagues understand, the state council 23 is charged with the responsibility of taking our 9029 1 precious subsidy dollars and distributing them 2 in what it is hoped would be the most rational 3 and productive way for the stimulation of the 4 arts and culture in the state of New York and 5 it's especially gratifying to see that someone 6 of Reba White Williams' qualifications will now 7 participate in that process. 8 Ms. Williams is a graduate of the 9 Harvard Graduate School of Business Administra 10 tion and Hunter College, from which she got her 11 M.A. in art history, the City University of New 12 York in which she received an M.A. in philosophy 13 and she also has several other course work 14 completions, including studies in art history, 15 American painting and sculpture and American and 16 European prints. 17 She happens to be a very 18 successful investment banker and a manager of a 19 large mutual fund company with her husband and 20 in the process of this at the world headquarters 21 they have one of the finest collections of 22 graphic prints anywhere in the United States. 23 This is a lady of extraordinary 9030 1 taste, culturation and background, and I haven't 2 the slightest question that she will shortly 3 become one of the outstanding members and 4 leaders of this very important council, and so 5 it's a special delight for me to second the 6 nomination that's been presented by the chairman 7 of the Finance Committee. 8 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Is there 9 any other Senator wishing to speak on the 10 nomination? 11 (There was no response.) 12 Hearing none, the question is on 13 the nomination of Reba White Williams, of New 14 York City, to become a member of the State 15 Council on the Arts. All those in favor signify 16 by saying aye. 17 (Response of "Aye".) 18 Opposed, nay. 19 (There was no response.) 20 The nominee is confirmed. 21 The Secretary will continue to 22 read. 23 THE SECRETARY: Senator Stafford, 9031 1 from the Committee on Finance, reports the 2 following nomination: 3 Member of the Board of Trustees 4 of the City University of New York, Satish K. 5 Babbar, of Queens. 6 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The Chair 7 recognizes Senator Leichter, on the nomination. 8 SENATOR LEICHTER: Mr. President, 9 regretfully, I'm going to oppose this nomination 10 and at the same time let my remarks also apply 11 to the nomination of George J. Rios. 12 Mr. Babbar and Mr. Rios are both 13 recommended for a position on the board of 14 trustees by the mayor of the city of New York. 15 Both are presently commissioners of the city 16 administration. They serve at the pleasure of 17 Mayor Giuliani. I just cannot see that they 18 will have the independence in the position as a 19 member of the Board of Trustees of the City 20 University to carry out their fiduciary 21 responsibilities. 22 I may also say, Mr. President, 23 that I think what we're seeing is really sort of 9032 1 a downgrading of the board of trustees. The 2 board of trustees of this institution, as I 3 pointed out last week -- I believe it was last 4 week or the week before when we had a very 5 obvious political appointee, but this board 6 should be composed of people of great prestige, 7 of integrity, of independence, people who bring 8 a background in education and public affairs. 9 The City University system is a 10 system that is in real trouble, as is the State 11 University system. I think any of us who have 12 served here for a number of years can certainly 13 not take pride at what has happened to these two 14 great universities. 15 This Legislature has been in 16 complicity with governors, Governor Cuomo, 17 Governor Pataki which has cut off the funding to 18 these universities. We have seen that they have 19 declined in many of the standards by which 20 educational institutions are judged. 21 Therefore, it is all the more 22 important to have people who can be sufficiently 23 independent and bring to that board the sort of 9033 1 background and also the sort of public prestige 2 which will allow that university system to get 3 the public support that it needs. 4 So very regretfully, I'm going to 5 oppose Mr. Babbar. I have nothing against him 6 as such. I see he's an architect. He seems to 7 be a fine gentleman. Mr. Rios does have a lot 8 of experience in education, but there are issues 9 even now before the board of trustees which 10 these people will not be able to exercise 11 independent judgment. 12 One of them is a conflict between 13 the City University and the mayor as to whether 14 people who are on welfare should do or must do 15 their work service outside or -- of the confines 16 of the campus that they could be required to do 17 anywhere in the city of New York and, frankly, 18 that rule has already driven a number of people 19 out of the City University system. 20 This is just one example of where 21 you need trustees of independence. Obviously 22 serving at the pleasure of the mayor as his 23 commissioner, neither Mr. Babbar nor Mr. Rios 9034 1 can exercise that independence, and I will vote 2 against them. 3 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Is there 4 any other Senator wishing to speak on the 5 nomination of Satish K. Babbar to become a 6 member of the board of trustees of the city of 7 New York? 8 (There was no response.) 9 Hearing none, the question is on 10 the nomination. All those in favor signify by 11 saying aye. 12 (Response of "Aye".) 13 Opposed, nay. 14 Senator Leichter in the 15 negative. 16 The nominee is confirmed. 17 We're very pleased to have Mr. 18 Babbar in the chamber with us who is seated in 19 the gallery above to your left. Congratulations 20 and good luck, sir. 21 (Applause) 22 The Secretary will continue to 23 read. 9035 1 THE SECRETARY: Senator Stafford, 2 from the Committee on Finance, reports the 3 following nomination: 4 Member of the Board of Trustees 5 of the City University of New York, Ronald 6 Marino, of Brooklyn. 7 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 8 question is on the nomination of Ronald Marino 9 to become a member of the Board of Trustees of 10 the City University of New York. All those in 11 favor signify by saying aye. 12 (Response of "Aye".) 13 Opposed, nay. 14 (There was no response.) 15 The nominee is unanimously 16 confirmed. 17 The Secretary will continue to 18 read. 19 THE SECRETARY: Senator Stafford, 20 from the Committee on Finance, reports the 21 following nomination: 22 Member of the Board of Trustees 23 of the City University of New York, George J. 9036 1 Rios, of the Bronx. 2 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The Chair 3 recognizes Senator Velella, on the nomination. 4 SENATOR VELELLA: Mr. President, 5 it's my pleasure to rise and second the 6 nomination and move the nomination of Mr. Rios. 7 He's been an outstanding member 8 of the Bronx community. He's been appointed by 9 three presidents of the United States to various 10 positions within their administration. He has 11 excellent credentials in the educational 12 background, having received a Master's in public 13 administration. He has served as a secretary 14 for the regional representative of the U.S. 15 Department of Education. He has also served in 16 the corporate world as an officer of The 17 Equitable Corporation and as the deputy director 18 of the Civilian Complaint Review Board within 19 the city of New York. 20 It's unfortunate that Senator 21 Leichter chose to take up his name and question 22 the credentials of that candidate and his 23 ability to serve. He has an unblemished record 9037 1 of public service which has never been 2 questioned, and I certainly know that he will be 3 able to perform the duties of trustee of the 4 City University while he also performs his 5 duties within the Giuliani administration. 6 I want to just point out that in 7 the past, Senator Leichter has risen to question 8 the nominees to the CUNY Board of Trustees and 9 talked about the people of stature that we need, 10 the great people that were appointed by Mario 11 Cuomo, but yet he talks about also the fact that 12 City University is having serious troubles. 13 We've tried it your way, with 14 your governor, with your mayor's appointments. 15 Let's try it with ours. I guarantee you it'll 16 be one heck of a lot better. 17 I move the nomination. 18 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Is there 19 any other Senator wishing to speak on the 20 nomination? 21 (There was no response.) 22 Hearing none, the question is on 23 the nomination of George J. Rios to become a 9038 1 member of the Board of Trustees of the City 2 University of New York. All those in favor 3 signify by saying aye. 4 (Response of "Aye".) 5 Opposed, nay. 6 Senator Leichter in the negative. 7 The nominee is confirmed. 8 We're very, very pleased to have 9 George Rios in the chamber with us seated in the 10 gallery to your left. Congratulations, sir, and 11 good luck. 12 (Applause) 13 The Secretary will read. 14 THE SECRETARY: Senator Stafford, 15 from the Committee on Finance, reports the 16 following nomination: 17 Member of the Board of Trustees 18 of the City University of New York, Richard 19 Stone, of Manhattan. 20 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 21 question is on the nomination of Richard Stone, 22 of Manhattan, to become a member of the board of 23 trustees of the City University of New York. 9039 1 All those in favor signify by saying aye. 2 (Response of "Aye".) 3 Opposed, nay. 4 (There was no response.) 5 The nominee is confirmed. 6 The Secretary will continue to 7 read. 8 THE SECRETARY: Senator Stafford, 9 from the Committee on Finance, reports the 10 following nomination: 11 Member of the Board of Visitors 12 of the Brooklyn Development Center, Virginia 13 Casey, of Brooklyn. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The 15 question is on the nomination. All those in 16 favor signify by saying aye. 17 (Response of "Aye".) 18 Opposed, nay. 19 (There was no response.) 20 The nominee is confirmed. 21 The Secretary will read. 22 THE SECRETARY: Senator Stafford, 23 from the Committee on Finance, reports the 9040 1 following nomination: 2 Member of the Board of Visitors 3 of the Buffalo Psychiatric Center, Connie Brown, 4 of Niagara Falls. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Senator 6 Maziarz, on the nomination. 7 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Thank you, Mr. 8 President. 9 Mr. President, I want to rise in 10 support of the nomination of Connie Brown, of 11 Niagara Falls, for a term on the Board of 12 Visitors of the Buffalo Psychiatric Center. 13 I've known Connie Brown for a 14 number of years. Connie has been involved in a 15 volunteer way with many organizations helping 16 people out in western New York, particularly her 17 volunteer work with the United Way of Niagara 18 and all of the agencies that fall under that 19 large United Way umbrella, but more importantly 20 Connie's paid service as an employee of 21 Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara has given her 22 a wealth of experience working with children, 23 adolescents and adults with mental and physical 9041 1 disabilities, and I can think, quite frankly, 2 Mr. President, of not a better person that I'd 3 like to see in -- in all of Niagara County 4 appointed to the Board of Visitors of the 5 Buffalo Psychiatric Center. 6 With all of the changes that are 7 going to be going on in the psychiatric center 8 and psychiatric facilities throughout New York 9 State, I think that we need good, competent, 10 qualified, capable people, and I know that 11 Connie Brown is that type of individual. 12 I second the nomination, Mr. 13 President. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Is there 15 any other Senator wishing to speak on the 16 nomination? 17 (There was no response.) 18 Hearing none, the question is on 19 the nomination of Connie Brown, of Niagara 20 Falls, to become a member of the Board of 21 Visitors of the Buffalo Psychiatric Center. 22 All those in favor of the 23 nomination signify by saying aye. 9042 1 (Response of "Aye".) 2 Opposed, nay. 3 (There was no response.) 4 The nominee is confirmed. 5 The Secretary will continue to 6 read. 7 THE SECRETARY: Senator Stafford, 8 from the Committee on Finance, reports the 9 following nomination: 10 Member of the Board of Visitors 11 of the Sagamore Children's Psychiatric Center, 12 Grace E. Clench, of Brentwood. 13 SENATOR JOHNSON: Mr. President. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: The Chair 15 recognizes Senator Johnson, on the nomination. 16 SENATOR JOHNSON: Mr. President, 17 I'm acquainted with Ms. Clench for many years. 18 She's been -- she's a reappointment. She's been 19 a leading member of the Board of Visitors of 20 Sagamore for many years and she's certainly 21 helped to point out problems and correct 22 deficiencies there that the children might be 23 better served. 9043 1 She's a fine lady, should be 2 reappointed, and I'd like to move her nomination 3 at this time. 4 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Is there 5 any other Senator wishing to speak on the 6 nomination? 7 (There was no response.) 8 Hearing none, the question is on 9 the nomination of Grace E. Clench, of Brentwood, 10 New York, to become a member of the Board of 11 Visitors of the Sagamore Children's Psychiatric 12 Hospital. All those in favor of the nomination 13 signify by saying aye. 14 (Response of "Aye".) 15 Opposed, nay. 16 (There was no response.) 17 The nominee is confirmed. 18 Senator Skelos. 19 SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, 20 is there any housekeeping at the desk? 21 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: There is 22 no housekeeping at the desk, Senator Skelos. 23 SENATOR SKELOS: A reminder that 9044 1 there will be a conference of the Majority at 2 4:30, and there being no further business, I 3 move that the Senate stands adjourned until July 4 2nd at 5:00 p.m. sharp. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT KUHL: Without 6 objection, the Senate stands adjourned until 7 tomorrow, Tuesday, July 2nd at 5:00 p.m. 8 (Whereupon, at 5:54 p.m., the 9 Senate adjourned.) 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23