Gaveled in 12:19 PM · Albany, New York · 2009–10 session
1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE 2 3 4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD 5 6 7 8 9 ALBANY, NEW YORK 10 November 10, 2009 11 12:19 p.m. 12 13 14 EXTRAORDINARY SESSION 15 16 17 18 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RICHARD RAVITCH, President 19 ANGELO J. APONTE, Secretary 20 21 22 23 24
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(518) 371-8910 1 P R O C E E D I N G S 2 THE PRESIDENT: The Senate will 3 please come to order. 4 I ask that everyone present rise 5 and recite with me the Pledge of Allegiance to 6 our Flag. 7 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited 8 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.) 9 THE PRESIDENT: In the absence of 10 clergy, may all we bow our heads for a moment 11 of silence. 12 (Whereupon, the assemblage 13 respected a moment of silence.) 14 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. 15 Senator Smith. 16 SENATOR SMITH: Thank you, 17 Mr. President. 18 Mr. President, is there a 19 proclamation from the Governor at the desk? 20 THE PRESIDENT: Yes, there is a 21 proclamation here at the desk. 22 The Secretary will read it, please. 23 THE SECRETARY: "Pursuant to the 24 power vested in me by Article 4, Section 3, of
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(518) 371-8910 1 the Constitution, I hereby convene the Senate 2 and Assembly of the State of New York in 3 Extraordinary Session at the Capitol, in the 4 City of Albany, on Tuesday, the tenth day of 5 November, two thousand nine, at twelve o'clock 6 noon, for the purpose of considering 7 legislation I will submit with respect to 8 various subjects, and for the consideration of 9 legislation with respect to such other 10 subjects as I may recommend. 11 "Given under my hand and the Privy 12 Seal of the State in the City of Albany this 13 fifth day of November in the year two thousand 14 nine by the Governor, David A. Paterson." 15 THE PRESIDENT: The proclamation 16 having been read, the Senate is in 17 extraordinary session. 18 The Secretary will call the roll. 19 SENATOR SMITH: Yeah, 20 Mr. President, can we please have a quorum 21 call. 22 THE SECRETARY: Senator Adams. 23 SENATOR ADAMS: Yes. 24 THE SECRETARY: Senator Addabbo.
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(518) 371-8910 1 SENATOR ADDABBO: Here. 2 THE SECRETARY: Senator Alesi. 3 SENATOR ALESI: Here. 4 THE SECRETARY: Senator 5 Aubertine. 6 SENATOR AUBERTINE: Here. 7 THE SECRETARY: Senator Bonacic. 8 SENATOR BONACIC: Here. 9 THE SECRETARY: Senator Breslin. 10 SENATOR BRESLIN: Here. 11 THE SECRETARY: Senator 12 DeFrancisco. 13 SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Here. 14 THE SECRETARY: Senator Diaz. 15 SENATOR DIAZ: Aqui. 16 THE SECRETARY: Senator Dilan. 17 SENATOR DILAN: Here. 18 THE SECRETARY: Senator Duane. 19 SENATOR DUANE: Here. 20 THE SECRETARY: Senator Espada. 21 (No response.) 22 THE SECRETARY: Senator Farley. 23 (No response.) 24 THE SECRETARY: Senator Flanagan.
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(518) 371-8910 1 SENATOR FLANAGAN: Here. 2 THE SECRETARY: Senator Foley. 3 SENATOR FOLEY: Present. 4 THE SECRETARY: Senator 5 Fuschillo. 6 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Present. 7 THE SECRETARY: Senator Golden. 8 SENATOR GOLDEN: Here. 9 THE SECRETARY: Senator Griffo. 10 SENATOR GRIFFO: Here. 11 THE SECRETARY: Senator Hannon. 12 SENATOR HANNON: Here. 13 THE SECRETARY: Senator 14 Hassell-Thompson. 15 SENATOR HASSELL-THOMPSON: Here. 16 THE SECRETARY: Senator Huntley. 17 SENATOR HUNTLEY: Present. 18 THE SECRETARY: Senator C. 19 Johnson. 20 SENATOR CRAIG JOHNSON: Here. 21 THE SECRETARY: Senator O. 22 Johnson, excused. 23 Senator Klein. 24 SENATOR KLEIN: Here.
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(518) 371-8910 1 THE SECRETARY: Senator 2 L. Krueger. 3 SENATOR LIZ KRUEGER: Here. 4 THE SECRETARY: Senator C. 5 Kruger. 6 (No response.) 7 THE SECRETARY: Senator Larkin. 8 SENATOR LARKIN: Here. 9 THE SECRETARY: Senator Lanza. 10 SENATOR LANZA: Here. 11 THE SECRETARY: Senator LaValle. 12 SENATOR LaVALLE: Here. 13 THE SECRETARY: Senator Leibell. 14 SENATOR LEIBELL: Here. 15 THE SECRETARY: Senator Libous. 16 SENATOR LIBOUS: Present. 17 THE SECRETARY: Senator Little. 18 SENATOR LITTLE: Present. 19 THE SECRETARY: Senator 20 Marcellino. 21 SENATOR MARCELLINO: Present. 22 THE SECRETARY: Senator Maziarz. 23 SENATOR MAZIARZ: Here. 24 THE SECRETARY: Senator McDonald.
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(518) 371-8910 1 SENATOR McDONALD: Here. 2 THE SECRETARY: Senator 3 Monserrate. 4 SENATOR MONSERRATE: Here. 5 THE SECRETARY: Senator 6 Montgomery. 7 SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Here. 8 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Smith, a 9 quorum is present to proceed with the order of 10 business. 11 SENATOR SMITH: Thank you very 12 much, Mr. President. 13 At this time would you please 14 recognize Conference Leader John Sampson, 15 please. 16 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Sampson. 17 SENATOR SAMPSON: Thank you very 18 much, Mr. President. 19 At this point in time, my 20 colleagues, tomorrow is Veterans Day and a 21 time to appreciate those who are currently 22 serving to keep America safe, and also a time 23 to show those who served in the past how much 24 we appreciate their service and sacrifice in
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(518) 371-8910 1 defense of all the qualities that make this 2 country the greatest in the world. 3 I am proud to say that in this body 4 serves a number of individuals, a number of 5 veterans of the United States Armed Forces on 6 both sides of the aisle. And I would ask them 7 to rise as I call their names to honor them 8 for the work that they have done in the past, 9 the present, and continue to do in the future. 10 At this point in time I would like 11 to honor my colleague Senator John 12 DeFrancisco, United States Armed Forces. 13 Senator Ruben Diaz, United States 14 Army. 15 Senator Hugh Farley, United States 16 Army. 17 Senator O. Johnson, United States 18 Marine Corps. 19 Senator Bill Larkin, United States 20 Army. 21 Senator Vincent Leibell, United 22 States Navy. 23 Senator Roy McDonald, United States 24 Army.
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(518) 371-8910 1 Senator Hiram Monserrate, United 2 States Marine Corps. 3 Senator Mike Nozzolio, United 4 States Navy. 5 Senator George Onorato, United 6 States Army. 7 Senator Frank Padavan, United 8 States Army. 9 Gentlemen, I believe I speak for 10 the entire Senate when I say that I'm honored 11 to serve in this body with you. And I want to 12 thank you, as all Americans thank you, for the 13 military service that you have given to our 14 country. 15 Oh, excuse me, I also forgot 16 Senator Morahan. I apologize, Senator 17 Morahan. 18 SENATOR DIAZ: Did you mention 19 me? 20 SENATOR SAMPSON: I did mention 21 you, Senator Diaz, but you weren't here, 22 Senator Diaz. You can stand up now, Senator 23 Diaz. 24 (Sustained applause for standing
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(518) 371-8910 1 members.) 2 SENATOR SAMPSON: Thank you very 3 much, Mr. President. 4 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Sampson, 5 thank you for that recognition. 6 Senator Smith. 7 SENATOR SMITH: Thank you very 8 much, Senator Sampson. Thank you, 9 Mr. President. 10 I believe there is a privileged 11 resolution at the desk. I ask that the 12 resolution be read in its entirety and move 13 for its immediate adoption. 14 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary 15 will so read. 16 THE SECRETARY: By Senator 17 Sampson, Senate Extraordinary Session 18 Resolution Number 1, providing for the 19 introduction of bills in the Senate during the 20 Extraordinary Session. 21 "RESOLVED, That notwithstanding any 22 provision of the rules to the contrary, all 23 bills introduced when the Senate is in 24 Extraordinary Session shall by the Committee
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(518) 371-8910 1 on Rules or on message from the Assembly, and 2 shall be referred to the Committee on Rules of 3 the Senate, with the exception of any bills 4 making an appropriation, which shall be 5 referred to the Committee on Finance of the 6 Senate pursuant to Legislative Law Section 23. 7 THE PRESIDENT: Are there any 8 other Senators that wish to be heard on this 9 resolution? 10 Senator Diaz. 11 SENATOR DIAZ: Thank you, 12 Mr. President. 13 Today is a very important day, and 14 we are celebrating and honoring some veterans. 15 And I also served in the United States Armed 16 Forces. But we just came from Puerto Rico, 17 Mr. President. We just came from Puerto Rico, 18 where, as the chairman of the Puerto Rican and 19 Latino Caucus in the Senate, we conducted he 20 some public hearings on veterans. 21 And you know the most ironic thing, 22 Mr. President, that we all served -- Senator 23 DeFrancisco, Senator Farley, Senator Owen 24 Johnson, Senator Bill Larkin, Senator Vincent
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(518) 371-8910 1 Leibell, Senator Roy McDonald, Senator Hiram 2 Monserrate, Senator Mike Nozzolio, Senator 3 George Onorato, Senator Frank Padavan, and 4 Senator Morahan -- we all served in the United 5 States Armed Forces, and we are veterans. But 6 you know what, Mr. President? The ironic 7 thing is that any one of these Senators that 8 we are honoring today, if they moved to Puerto 9 Rico, if they moved to Puerto Rico, any one of 10 these people here today, if they moved to 11 Puerto Rico, the medical services that they 12 receive as veterans would be cut 40 percent. 13 It's ridiculous that any veteran 14 that served in the United States Army, the 15 United States Armed Forces, let it be that 16 they live in Puerto Rico, if they're Puerto 17 Rican or not, if they move to Puerto Rico 18 after they serve, their services will be cut 19 40 percent. 20 So now we are honoring veterans. 21 But we should remember the veterans that live 22 in Puerto Rico too. They served our country. 23 And please don't think that they are Puerto 24 Rican. Any veteran, any one of these persons
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(518) 371-8910 1 that we are honoring here today, if we move to 2 Puerto Rico -- I'm going to repeat myself 3 again, Mr. President -- if we move to Puerto 4 Rico, our services as veterans will be cut 5 40 percent. 6 So any veteran that lives in Puerto 7 Rico and moves to the mainland, their services 8 will be increased by 40 percent. 9 So we are working to save -- to 10 work on the budget in this state. At the same 11 time I'm asking all of the Senators here to 12 intervene so Congress should allow the 13 veterans in Puerto Rico to get the same 14 benefits that veterans get here. 15 Because guess what, Mr. President? 16 If those veterans in Puerto Rico decide to 17 move to New York, they're going to be another 18 burden to New York's deficit. So we better 19 keep those veterans in Puerto Rico receiving 20 the medical services that veterans receive in 21 the mainland. Because if they decide, 22 thousands and thousands of veterans decide, 23 oh, the services here, medical services for 24 veterans here are poor, let's go to New York,
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(518) 371-8910 1 and they come here, then our deficit will be 2 worst. 3 So we were in Puerto Rico. And I 4 thank Senator John Sampson, Senator Malcolm 5 Smith that they joined me in this event in 6 Puerto Rico, working to protect the veterans. 7 I'll say it again, the veterans, to protect 8 the veterans, and at the same time to working 9 to keep veterans in Puerto Rico so by that we 10 protect New York and we work for New York 11 State. 12 So to all of you veterans, I'm 13 joining in this resolution. I'm honored to be 14 here. I'm also a veteran. And I'm asking all 15 of you to speak to your Senators in Congress 16 to be sure that the veterans in Puerto Rico 17 get the same benefit that veterans get in the 18 mainland. 19 Thank you, Mr. President. 20 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, 21 Senator Diaz. 22 Senator Adams. 23 SENATOR ADAMS: Thank you, 24 Mr. President.
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(518) 371-8910 1 I too want too rise and acknowledge 2 the great dedication and commitment that our 3 veterans have made over the years. And I'm 4 proud to chair the committee that oversees 5 many of their concerns, with my good friend 6 Senator Leibell. 7 And I want to take my hat off to 8 those men and women who have continued to 9 serve in the State Senate. 10 I think that we should be proud as 11 Americans that our veterans have fought and 12 are continuing to fight to make sure we have 13 equality in this great city, this great state, 14 and this great country. That equality should 15 not only extend to men, but it should extend 16 to women, and it should also extend to the 17 right of people to marry. 18 And as we are dealing with the very 19 important issue of marriage equality, no 20 greater honor we can give to our veterans than 21 to ensure that every American, regardless of 22 their gender, should have a right to marry. 23 And I support that bill just as hard as I 24 support the men and women that have fought to
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(518) 371-8910 1 ensure we have those equal rights. 2 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, 3 Senator Adams. 4 Senator Libous. 5 SENATOR LIBOUS: Thank you, 6 Mr. President. 7 I too want to join my colleagues 8 and Conference Leader Sampson in not only 9 recognizing our colleagues who have served our 10 country on what will be Veterans Day tomorrow, 11 but certainly for the 1.2 million veterans in 12 New York State who fought in World War II and 13 in Korea and who are now deployed in over 14 130 nations and Iraq and Afghanistan and are 15 defending our honor and our freedom. 16 Ninety years ago, on the 11th day 17 of the 11th month of 1919, Armistice Day was 18 first recognized by then President Wilson. 19 And as a great nation we need to -- as a great 20 nation we need to continue to stop and 21 pause -- and unfortunately, we do it only once 22 a year; we should probably do it every day -- 23 and recognizing the men and women who protect 24 our freedom, the men and women who have given
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(518) 371-8910 1 their life in the ultimate sacrifice so that 2 we can come to this great body, this great 3 house, this great chamber, and debate those 4 issues that come before us on a regular basis. 5 Without the men and women who have 6 fought for our freedoms, without the men and 7 women who have lost their lives to give us 8 these freedoms, we would not have the honor of 9 being in this chamber. So we pause and 10 reflect on what they've done for us on this 11 very special day. 12 Thank you, Mr. President. 13 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, 14 Senator Libous. 15 Are there any other Senators who 16 wish to be heard? 17 Senator Smith. 18 SENATOR SMITH: Thank you, 19 Mr. President. 20 I too want to join my colleagues in 21 honoring our veterans. Obviously, as in 9/11, 22 we should never forget what they have done for 23 us, what they have done for our ability to 24 have freedom and stand on this floor.
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(518) 371-8910 1 In that regard, Mr. President, I 2 think it's only fitting that we hear from one 3 of our veterans -- an individual who has 4 served this country well, who is known to this 5 body as one of our colleagues but at the same 6 time he served this country, served us well, 7 and then chose to be in public office. I'm 8 speaking of none other than our Senator 9 Larkin. 10 I would ask that you would please 11 recognize Senator Larkin for some comments. 12 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Larkin. 13 SENATOR LARKIN: Thank you, 14 Senator Smith. Thank you, Mr. President. 15 Tomorrow we will celebrate Veterans 16 Day. This year Veterans Day comes at a very 17 trying time. One week ago we saw a massacre 18 at Fort Hood, Texas. Fort Hood, Texas, is the 19 home of the 1st Cav -- the Ivy, the 20 4th Infantry, and two armored divisions in the 21 3rd Corps. I know one other member in this 22 chamber who served with this 1st Cav, my good 23 friend Roy McDonald. 24 The heartbreak there, with 13 -- 12
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(518) 371-8910 1 military and one civilian -- killed and 2 31 wounded, 16 of them still in critical 3 condition, it makes one step back for a moment 4 who served and says, We go to foreign areas to 5 participate in battle; what a disgrace it is 6 when we allow it to happen on our home base. 7 The men in the armed forces today 8 are all volunteers. They are not drafted. 9 Nobody sent a policeman to their home, no one 10 sent them a card: You must show up. They 11 raised their right hand and said "I solemnly 12 swear." And their oath of allegiance is to 13 this country. And if you don't like this 14 country, then get the hell out. 15 I think what we're seeing today, 16 when Sunday, on NFL Football, all the great 17 football players and coaches were there with 18 our armed forces in Afghanistan. And troop 19 morale was asked, and the troop morale was 20 tops. Why? Because these are dedicated 21 Americans, just like those that we had in 22 World War I, World War II, Korea, 'Nam. 23 What we're seeing today is a 24 country that's asking the question, What are
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(518) 371-8910 1 we doing? I don't think we're doing enough 2 for our veterans. I think that this body 3 should know, Mr. President, that there are 4 1.9 million Americans who have either died or 5 were wounded in combat since World War II. 6 The home of that hall of honor is in my Senate 7 district, in New Windsor, New York. 8 But we're talking about an armed 9 forces, men and women. One of the women that 10 was killed in this shot was a lieutenant 11 colonel, Hispanic. Another was a woman who 12 just come back from Iraq, was two months 13 pregnant. National Guard, killed. 14 What in the world is going on? Our 15 veterans deserve protection, they deserve 16 credibility, they deserve to be able to see 17 what is being done, what they fought for. 18 I've talked to veterans in the last 19 month and a half leading up to this, and they 20 said: "What did we fight for? What are you 21 doing to us? We fought to retain this 22 country, to make it something we're all proud 23 of, and now we see you giving it away." 24 Nobody is standing up and defending
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(518) 371-8910 1 this great country that 1.9 million people 2 were wounded or killed in combat. And then we 3 go to our home of the 3rd Corps, two infantry 4 divisions, two armored divisions, and people 5 processing to go out to continue the defense 6 and keep the battle from America, keep it in 7 foreign countries. And then we wind up having 8 31 of them shot: 13 killed, 16, as of this 9 morning, still in critical condition. 10 You know, I'd like to ask all of my 11 colleagues, you know, someone said: "Thank 12 you for your service." And I appreciate that. 13 But how many of us extend ourself? How many 14 of us have been in a veterans hall and seen 15 what they need? How many have been to a 16 veterans hospital to see what the needs of the 17 hospital is, what the need of the personnel 18 there is? 19 There are many that you will find 20 that are going from day to day, as one told me 21 at Castle Point two weeks ago: "I can't wait 22 till God takes me, because I don't think 23 people care." But when he was jumping in 24 Bastogne as a 16-year-old, he said people
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(518) 371-8910 1 wrote when they found out what he did, he was 2 a hero, he was great. When he come home, he 3 was great. But as he grew older, nobody had 4 any room for him. 5 You know they had no room at the 6 inn, the manger for some young man that we all 7 knew was born. 8 But I ask you, don't enjoy the day 9 off. Make sure you participate. But make 10 sure you remember. Because the military is 11 not going to forget what happened last 12 Thursday. And if this nation does, shame on 13 them. There should be a thorough 14 investigation to find out who didn't do what 15 they should have done so that these people 16 wouldn't have been killed and wounded and how 17 bad they are. 18 Mr. President, I'm very proud to 19 have served my country for 23 years. Along 20 with a lot of others in here, we served in 21 combat. The hardest part of 23 years of 22 active duty for me was on August 4th of 1950, 23 with my first killed in action in Korea, and I 24 had to write a letter to a mother and tell her
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(518) 371-8910 1 her 19-year-old son was killed. I hope and 2 pray to God that Bobby Maples' death was not 3 in vain. 4 Thank you. 5 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, 6 Senator Larkin. 7 Senator Leibell. 8 SENATOR LEIBELL: Thank you, 9 Mr. President. 10 Every week I get delivered a 11 newspaper that's called the Navy Times. I 12 know Senator Larkin gets the Army Times. And 13 these are publications that are put out to the 14 military, to retired people. And every week 15 in this newspaper there are pictures of the 16 dead from the previous week. If you were to 17 look at this week's, it spans almost two 18 pages. 19 And when you look at those pictures 20 the thing that has to take your breath away 21 is, in the vast majority of cases, the very 22 young age. Underneath the picture, they give 23 a rank, they give a name, they give a 24 hometown, they give a unit name and usually a
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(518) 371-8910 1 very brief description of the cause of death. 2 In Iraq and Afghanistan, these two wars, in 3 most cases they list IEDs as the cause of 4 death. 5 But when you look at those 6 pictures, certainly from my end of the 7 calendar, they look like baby faces to me: 8 19, 18, 20, 21 years of age. Occasionally 9 you'll see somebody in their fifties. 10 Usually -- that's almost always a National 11 Guard or Reservist killed in action. 12 But as we go and speak, as we all 13 will, this week to our veterans groups and to 14 our community groups, to think of those 15 pictures, especially of those young faces that 16 really never had a chance to savor life, their 17 sacrifice is awesome beyond words and 18 something for which we should all be so 19 grateful. 20 So I hope as we return to our 21 districts that we will keep this in mind and 22 be able to convey this to our fellow 23 New Yorkers. 24 Thank you, Mr. President.
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(518) 371-8910 1 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, 2 Senator Leibell. 3 Senator Farley. 4 SENATOR FARLEY: Yes, I rise to 5 bring to your attention a ceremony that I had 6 a couple of years ago honoring what they call 7 our Greatest Generation, the World War II 8 veterans. 9 And it was very, very moving to me 10 to see these men -- mostly men, at that 11 time -- as they're leaving us, thousands a 12 day. I think everybody in this room knew a 13 WW II veteran, probably a member of your 14 family. But they are leaving us at a rate 15 that is absolutely sad. 16 You know, as a Korean veteran -- 17 actually, that's the forgotten veteran these 18 days, the war that so many that we were 19 unprepared for. So many of them froze to 20 death and lost limbs and feet because of lack 21 of equipment. And also in Korea and in 22 Vietnam, a war that when I was at the 23 university teaching, that the veterans that 24 came home were spat upon and unaccepted.
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(518) 371-8910 1 Today we're facing a real threat. 2 And so many of our volunteers that Senator 3 Larkin spoke about -- they're all volunteers 4 that are defending everything that we stand 5 for. I think it becomes every one of us today 6 when we see a veteran, no matter what war they 7 fought in or defended, to thank them for their 8 service. 9 I rise to thank them for their 10 service. And Veterans Day is a very, very 11 moving day for everybody in this house and for 12 every citizen of the United States to thank 13 those people that lay their lives on the line 14 for us. 15 Thank you, Mr. President. 16 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, 17 Senator Farley. 18 Are there any other Senators who 19 wish to be heard on this resolution? 20 Senator McDonald. 21 SENATOR McDONALD: Thank you, 22 sir. 23 I too, as a Vietnam veteran of the 24 Army, would like to thank the veterans. But I
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(518) 371-8910 1 would especially like to thank the New York 2 State Senate, the New York State Assembly, the 3 Governor, current and past. 4 There are some things in this 5 country we do right and some things we do 6 wrong. But in the most recent years what 7 we've been doing right is putting aside 8 differences for the men and women who serve in 9 our military today. 10 During World War II the benefit 11 package for these people was outstanding. 12 After World War II, it went down. It went 13 very down. Recently, it's coming up, the 14 educational programs and the benefits. 15 I've seen in my lifetime an 16 evolution of thought and affection for the 17 American military, and I'm grateful for it. 18 Too often everybody is bitter, too often 19 everybody is negative. 20 The one thing I enjoy when I look 21 at my television at night -- and it's tough to 22 watch men and women of our country in another 23 country fighting for their life. But it gives 24 my great gratification to look at the American
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(518) 371-8910 1 military and to see these men and women, 2 different colors, different ethnic groups, 3 different religions, different parts of the 4 country. It doesn't matter. They're all 5 there for one reason, and that reason is us. 6 They actually care about what we 7 stand for. They're not fighting for some 8 macro reason over in Afghanistan and Iraq, 9 they're fighting because they believe they're 10 protecting our democracy and our freedom and 11 trying to keep the world safe from terrorism. 12 These are good men. These are good women. 13 They're ours. 14 I had the privilege of serving in 15 Vietnam with a commanding officer that 16 immediately took me under his wing and cared 17 about me. He was an African-American from 18 Michigan. The number-two officer was a 19 captain from Puerto Rico. We were a family. 20 We were a fighting unit, but more than 21 anything else we were friends and a family. 22 I will always remember those 23 people, and I see them every night on 24 television. And I know what's going through
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(518) 371-8910 1 their minds. They don't care about the petty 2 nuances that we get into arguments about. 3 They just care about us as a people. 4 So I want to thank everybody who is 5 grateful, and I especially want to thank the 6 American public for recognizing, whether it's 7 a good war or a bad war, they're good 8 soldiers. They're our soldiers. 9 God bless you. Thank you. 10 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, 11 Senator McDonald. 12 Senator Morahan. 13 SENATOR MORAHAN: Thank you, 14 Mr. President. 15 Each year in the spring of the year 16 we reflect upon our honored dead that served 17 this country and paid the supreme price for 18 their service to their country in protecting 19 their fellow Americans. Each and every day 20 ought to be a day where we recall our honored 21 dead who fell in swamps, who fell in the 22 jungles, who fell in deserts, face in the 23 sand, maybe the last word out of their mouth 24 was "mother" or "mama."
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(518) 371-8910 1 But today and this week we honor 2 those who returned home, the veteran, who left 3 their homes, many volunteered, hung up their 4 aprons from the hardware store, answered the 5 call of their nation, put themselves in great 6 peril, fought, survived, and came home in 7 various shapes and forms. Some severely 8 maimed, some paralyzed for life, some with 9 other, less traumatic wounds. 10 We're learning today how many came 11 back from World War II and from Vietnam and 12 some from Korea with posttraumatic stress 13 disorder. We recognize that in this Senate, 14 and we passed a bill this spring to add that 15 disease to Timothy's Law. It goes beyond our 16 veterans; it's for our general public. 17 But we also have to recall the 18 sacrifice of the families who waited in 19 fearful tremors, not knowing where their loved 20 one was on the planet, what they were facing, 21 if they were dead or alive at the moment they 22 were thinking of them. 23 I think it's a mark of a nation 24 that we recall the service of our veterans who
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(518) 371-8910 1 are now aged, as I am, but now are infirmed 2 and need the benefits that our federal 3 government provides and must always provide. 4 And I echo Senator McDonald's comments 5 regarding the contributions of this Senate, 6 Assembly, Governor and State of New York in 7 what we have done for the National Guard and 8 for those who may not be in the federal 9 military but we have provided benefits for 10 them regarding education and health benefits 11 as well. 12 So I stand to salute my fellow 13 veterans with all the dedication and honesty 14 in my body, because I know what they went 15 through. They did it for me. I was just a 16 kid in World War II, but they were there. I 17 lost a first cousin on the beaches of 18 Normandy. And I see his son, now a grown man 19 with his family, but his son never remembered 20 his father. He was only three months old when 21 his father was killed. 22 So I congratulate this Senate and 23 my colleagues for taking time to honor our 24 veterans, to say "Well done, veterans, thank
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(518) 371-8910 1 you for your service." And hopefully we will 2 stay true to our commitment to make sure that 3 we bind up your wounds and that we stay true 4 and dedicated to those sacrifices you made on 5 behalf of all Americans. 6 Thank you, Mr. President. 7 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, 8 Senator Morahan. 9 Are there any other Senators who 10 wish to be heard on this resolution? 11 (No response.) 12 THE PRESIDENT: Let me say it's a 13 particular privilege to preside at this 14 moment, because I served in the United States 15 Army twice. And I deeply appreciate the 16 recognition that you have given to the 17 veterans of our armed services. 18 The question is on the resolution. 19 All those in favor please signify by saying 20 aye. 21 (Response of "Aye.") 22 THE PRESIDENT: All opposed? 23 (No response.) 24 THE PRESIDENT: Hearing none, the
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(518) 371-8910 1 resolution is adopted. 2 Senator Smith. 3 SENATOR SMITH: Thank you very 4 much, Mr. President. And thank all my 5 colleagues for honoring our vets. 6 At this time, while we are waiting 7 for bills to be printed by the Governor, we'd 8 like to stand at ease. And when we return 9 from standing at ease, we will then move to 10 the Rules Committee meeting. 11 THE PRESIDENT: The Senate will 12 stand at ease. 13 (Whereupon, the Senate stood at 14 ease at 12:53 p.m.) 15 ACTING PRESIDENT KRUEGER: 16 Senator Foley, why do you rise? 17 SENATOR FOLEY: Thank you, Madam 18 President. 19 I rise on behalf of Senator 20 Hassell-Thompson to announce that at 2:30 21 there will be a Majority conference in the 22 Majority Conference Room at that particular 23 hour. I just want to make that known to the 24 President.
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(518) 371-8910 1 And the Senate will continue at 2 ease. 3 ACTING PRESIDENT KRUEGER: Thank 4 you, Senator Foley. 5 The Senate will continue to be at 6 ease. 7 The Senate Majority Conference 8 shall be conferencing at 2:30 this afternoon 9 in Room 332. 10 Thank you. 11 SENATOR FOLEY: Thank you for 12 your assistance, Madam President. 13 ACTING PRESIDENT KRUEGER: Thank 14 you, Senator Foley. 15 (Whereupon, the Senate reconvened 16 at 5:10 p.m.) 17 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The 18 Senate will return to order. 19 Senator Smith. 20 SENATOR SMITH: Yes, thank you, 21 Mr. President. 22 At this time there will be an 23 immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in 24 the Majority Conference Room, Room 332.
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(518) 371-8910 1 Pending the return of the Rules 2 Committee, could we please stand at ease. 3 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: There 4 will be an immediate meeting of the Senate 5 Committee on Rules in Room 332. 6 The Senate will stand at ease 7 pending the report of the Rules Committee. 8 (Whereupon, the Senate stood at 9 ease at 5:11 p.m.) 10 (Whereupon, the Senate reconvened 11 at 5:43 p.m.) 12 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The 13 Senate will return to order. 14 Senator Klein. 15 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, 16 can you please recognize Senator Flanagan. He 17 wants to recognize someone in the gallery. 18 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: 19 Senator Flanagan. 20 SENATOR FLANAGAN: Thank you, 21 Mr. President. 22 I just -- I'm the lucky one. Any 23 one of us could get up and do this. 24 Today, after 37 years of
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(518) 371-8910 1 distinguished service, having served the 2 people of the State of New York for as long as 3 Senator Volker -- but I reminded Senator 4 Volker that she looks a lot better than he 5 does -- we are joined in the gallery by 6 someone that we all know and love and commonly 7 refer to as Sandy, Sandy Raus, who after 37 8 years is finally calling it quits. 9 So all of you like me who have 10 relied on her for all the valuable information 11 in the Capitol, you're going to have to find 12 new sources. 13 Sandy, congratulations. Best of 14 luck to you. 15 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: 16 Congratulations, Sandy. 17 (Extended standing ovation.) 18 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: 19 Senator Klein. 20 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I 21 believe there is a report of the Rules 22 Committee at the desk. 23 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: There 24 is a report of the Rules Committee here at the
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(518) 371-8910 1 desk, Senator Klein. 2 And the Secretary will read. 3 THE SECRETARY: Senator Smith, 4 from the Committee on Rules, reports the 5 following bills: 6 Extraordinary Session Senate Print 7 Number 2, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, an act 8 to amend the Insurance Law; 9 And Extraordinary Session Senate 10 Print Number 5, by Senator Valesky, an act to 11 amend the Penal Law and the Executive Law. 12 Both bills ordered direct to third 13 reading. 14 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: 15 Senator Klein. 16 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, I 17 move to accept the report of the Rules 18 Committee at this time. 19 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: All in 20 favor of adopting the report of the Rules 21 Committee signify by saying aye. 22 (Response of "Aye.") 23 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: 24 Opposed, nay.
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(518) 371-8910 1 (No response.) 2 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The 3 report of the Rules Committee is adopted. 4 Senator Klein. 5 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, at 6 this time can we please move to a reading of 7 the calendar. 8 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The 9 Secretary will proceed with the reading of 10 Extraordinary Session Calendar Number 1. 11 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 12 1, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, Extraordinary 13 Session Senate Print Number 2, an act to amend 14 the Insurance Law. 15 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: 16 Senator Klein. 17 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, is 18 there a message of necessity at the desk? 19 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: 20 Senator Klein, a message of necessity has been 21 received from the Governor and it is here at 22 the desk. 23 SENATOR KLEIN: I move to accept 24 the message of necessity.
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(518) 371-8910 1 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: All 2 those in favor of accepting the message of 3 necessity from the Governor signify by saying 4 aye. 5 (Response of "Aye.") 6 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: 7 Opposed, nay. 8 (No response.) 9 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The 10 message of necessity is accepted. 11 The Secretary will read the last 12 section. 13 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This 14 act shall take effect immediately. 15 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Call 16 the roll. 17 (The Secretary called the roll.) 18 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 59. Nays, 19 2. Senators Hannon and Skelos recorded in the 20 negative. 21 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The 22 bill is passed. 23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 24 2, by Senator Valesky, Extraordinary Session
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(518) 371-8910 1 Senate Print Number 5, an act to amend the 2 Penal Law and the Executive Law. 3 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: 4 Senator Klein. 5 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, is 6 there a message of necessity at the desk? 7 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Yes, a 8 message of necessity has been received from 9 the Governor. It is here at the desk. 10 SENATOR KLEIN: I move we accept 11 the message of necessity. 12 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: All in 13 favor of adopting the message of necessity 14 from the Governor please signify by saying 15 aye. 16 (Response of "Aye.") 17 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: 18 Opposed, nay. 19 (No response.) 20 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The 21 message of necessity is accepted. 22 The Secretary will read the last 23 section. 24 THE SECRETARY: Section 6. This
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(518) 371-8910 1 act shall take effect immediately. 2 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Call 3 the roll. 4 (The Secretary called the roll.) 5 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61. Nays, 6 0. 7 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The 8 bill is passed. 9 Senator Klein, that completes the 10 noncontroversial reading of Extraordinary 11 Session Calendar Number 1. 12 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, at 13 this time can we please stand at ease very 14 briefly. 15 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The 16 Senate will stand at ease briefly. 17 (Whereupon, the Senate stood at 18 ease at 5:48 p.m.) 19 (Whereupon, the Senate reconvened 20 at 5:50 p.m.) 21 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: 22 Senator Klein. 23 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, 24 can you please recognize Senator Libous for an
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(518) 371-8910 1 announcement. 2 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: 3 Senator Libous. 4 SENATOR LIBOUS: Mr. President, 5 do you recognize me? 6 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: I 7 certainly do. 8 SENATOR LIBOUS: Thank you. 9 Right after session there will be a 10 brief but immediate conference of the 11 Republican conference in our conference room. 12 Thank you. 13 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: Brief 14 Republican conference immediately following 15 session thank you. 16 Senator Klein. 17 SENATOR KLEIN: Can we continue 18 to stand at ease. 19 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The 20 Senate will continue to stand at ease. 21 (Whereupon, the Senate stood at 22 ease at 5:51 p.m.) 23 SENATOR LIBOUS: Mr. President. 24 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:
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(518) 371-8910 1 Senator Libous. 2 SENATOR LIBOUS: Since the 3 leadership has gone off to have a meeting, the 4 Republicans will have their conference now. 5 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: 6 Immediate Senate Republican conference. 7 SENATOR LIBOUS: Thank you. 8 (Whereupon, the Senate reconvened 9 at 7:04 p.m.) 10 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: The 11 Senate will return to order. 12 Senator Klein. 13 SENATOR KLEIN: Mr. President, is 14 there any further business at the desk? 15 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: There 16 is no further business at the desk. 17 SENATOR KLEIN: There being none, 18 I move that we adjourn this Extraordinary 19 Session, subject to the call of the Temporary 20 President. 21 ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY: On 22 motion by Senator Klein, the Extraordinary 23 Session is adjourned, subject to the call of 24 the Temporary President, intervening days
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(518) 371-8910 1 being legislative days. 2 (Whereupon, at 7:05 p.m., the 3 Senate adjourned.) 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
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Highest impact first.