Tuesday, January 29, 2013

At this time could we please adopt the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of Resolution Numbers 167, 304, 309, and 317.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:All in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of Resolutions 167, 304, 309, and 317, signify by saying aye.

(Response of "Aye.")

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Opposed, nay.

(No response.)

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:The Resolution Calendar is adopted.

Senator Libous.

SENATOR LIBOUS:Thank you, Mr. President.

I believe there's a resolution by Senator Larkin, Number 317, at the desk. Could we please have the title read and move for its adoption.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:The Secretary will read the title.

THE SECRETARY:Legislative Resolution Number 317, by Senator Larkin, commemorating Catholic Schools Week 2013.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Senator Larkin.

SENATOR LARKIN:Mr. President, throughout our great state and throughout across this country, this week we will celebrate Catholic School Week.

Those of us who have had our districts see the diminishing of the number of schools in there, it's been hard and it's been testy. But we as a nation cannot forget that we have an obligation -- whether it's Hebrew, Lutheran, Catholic, public, whatever it is -- we have an obligation for the responsibility to these young people.

And I think we all join in the Catholic faith this week and thank those who help us to provide this education to our young children. I'm very happy for it.

I think that when you start to look at just recently the decisions in New York City, this year 24 new schools in the city will close down. Between '10 and '11, we saw 70. By celebrating this, we're telling everybody that we're proud of those who continue our Catholic education and we want to be there, just like we're going to be there for any other religion.

Thank you very much.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Thank you, Senator Larkin.

Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard on the resolution?

Senator Bonacic.

SENATOR BONACIC:Thank you, Mr. President.

I'd like to join with Senator Larkin in thanking the contribution of the Catholic schools to the leaders of America.

I myself have been a product of the Catholic school system. It teaches the values, the discipline, and the importance of education.

I also want to thank the parents who have to pay high tuition for their children who go to these Catholic schools, in addition to paying their public taxes.

So it's a trend we would like to see reversed. But I know in these tough recessionary times which have gone on for now almost six years, everyone is squeezed, including our public school system.

And so I want to thank Senator Larkin for his remarks, and I want to thank you, Mr. President.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Thank you, Senator Bonacic.

Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard on the resolution?

Senator Savino.

SENATOR SAVINO:Thank you, Mr. President.

I want to thank Senator Larkin for bringing this resolution today, and I want to echo the comments of Senator Bonacic.

You know, I am a Catholic school girl. I never set foot in a public school until the day I took a civil service test -- elementary school, high school, even Catholic university.

The sad fact is our Catholic schools are slowly disappearing in communities. As we speak, the Archdiocese of New York City is considering closing another 24, potentially two more in my district.

Catholic schools have been an important, integral part of our neighborhoods and our communities, and they've been partners with our public schools.

One of the things I have noticed, though, over the eight years I've been in the Senate I represented a community that had a very high level of religious education, and that was the community of Boro Park, where they have a huge number of yeshivas. And the difference between those of us of the Catholic faith is we are not guaranteeing a quality religious education for kids the way they do in communities like Boro Park.

So my challenge to those of us who are Catholics, both active and lapsed, is remember the importance of those schools. Adopt a school, contribute to it, help make those schools viable so they are there for the next generation of legislators who will come forward and talk about the quality of education both public, private, and parochial.

Thank you, Senator Larkin.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Thank you, Senator Savino.

Senator Smith.

SENATOR SMITH:Thank you very much, Mr. President.

Senator Larkin, thank you for bringing this resolution to the floor today.

I am, along with Senator Savino, also a product of Catholic school, but my family more so. My sisters went to St. Pascal Baylon, one of my other sisters went to Christ the King, my son went to Molloy, my daughter went to St. Francis Prep, I went to Christ the King, then on to Jesuit high school. So the product that you see here, like it or not --

(Laughter.)

SENATOR SMITH:-- is a product of Catholic school education.

And I will tell you, as Senator Savino said, it is very important that we recognize the importance of what our educational institutions are supposed to be doing for everybody that goes to those schools.

And while we are under siege, some of our Catholic schools -- who I believe have done a tremendous job -- we've also got to remember the model of education that they produced.

And so as we stand this day, Senator Larkin, on the floor commemorating this day for Catholic high schools, I say thank you. And I think it's important that we continue to recognize the work that they've done. And if we can emulate that in the public school system, the charter school systems as well, I think the state and the country will be all the better, as we are in this war in terms of intellectual competition around the world.

Thank you.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Thank you, Senator Smith.

Senator Espaillat.

SENATOR ESPAILLAT:Thank you, Mr. President.

I am also a product of a Catholic high school. And, you know, the education, the quality education received there is matched by none. In fact, the discipline displayed there, I remember very distinctly the sign behind the desk of the dean of discipline of that school that said: "Be reasonable. Do it my way."

(Laughter.)

SENATOR ESPAILLAT:And so, you know, Catholic schools provide the discipline and the tradition. It becomes a family, really. I went to Bishop Dubois High School, which is now closed. Many other high schools have now closed. Power Memorial closed. You know, many other high schools in the city have shut down.

And so this is a tragedy, because there is this perception, this myth out there that the families that send their children to parochial schools and Catholic high schools are rich families. And that is not the case.

In fact, very often parents have to work a second job, they have to drive a cab at night or hold a second job to be able to afford the tuition at these schools, which seems to be escalating more and more.

I represent the district that has the high school that my son went to, St. Agnes, which is on the list to close, and Mother Cabrini High School, which is an all-girls school in northern Manhattan with a fine tradition as well.

So we must all find a way to bring some help to these schools. There is no difference, really, between many of the families that send their children to parochial schools and those that send their children to public schools. I went to both public and parochial schools.

So I join the resolution by Senator Larkin, and I hope that we can do better for these schools.

Thank you.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Thank you, Senator Espaillat.

Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard on the resolution?

Seeing none, those in favor signify by saying aye.

(Response of "Aye.")

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Opposed, nay.

(No response.)

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:The resolution carries.

Senator Libous.

SENATOR LIBOUS:Thank you, Mr. President.

I believe Senator Larkin would like to open that up to all members. And as the policy goes here in the chamber, if for some reason you wish not to be a sponsor of the resolution, please let the desk know. Otherwise, your name will be noted as a sponsor.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:The resolution is open for cosponsorship. If you do not wish to be a cosponsor, please notify the desk.

Senator Libous.

SENATOR LIBOUS:I believe there's a resolution at the desk by Senator Smith, Number 167. I would ask that it be read in its entirety and move for its adoption.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Will the Secretary please read the entirety of the resolution.

THE SECRETARY:Legislative Resolution Number 167, by Senator Smith, mourning the death of Juanita E. Watkins, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community.

"WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of New York; and

"WHEREAS, Juanita E. Watkins of Queens, New York, died on January 20, 2013, at the age of 78; and

"WHEREAS, A former councilwoman, Juanita E. Watkins took her seat in the New York City Council in 1982. The 31st Council District has the largest land mass of all the council districts in New York City, covering the community of Arverne, Bayswater, Edgemere, Far Rockaway, JFK Airport, Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, and parts of Cambria Heights and South Ozone Park; and

"WHEREAS, Councilwoman Juanita E. Watkins was a strong advocate for her community on a number of fronts. She fought for constituents' rights in the battles over megastores, homeless shelters, and commuter van services; and

"WHEREAS, The new JFK Sheraton Hotel is the result of her five-year fight to close the former Kennedy Inn, a hotel converted into a homeless shelter, located in the middle of a residential community of single family homes; and

"WHEREAS, As a Councilwoman, Juanita E. Watkins made advocacy for senior citizens one of her top priorities, sponsoring Senior Empowerment Conferences for seniors within her district; and

"WHEREAS, Juanita E. Watkins played a major role in having New York City declared a disaster area eligible for federal funding after the severe flooding that took place in 1999; and

"WHEREAS, Juanita E. Watkins distinguished herself in her profession and by her sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of her community; and

"WHEREAS, Juanita E. Watkins' commitment to excellence, and her spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charitable and civic endeavors; and

"WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Juanita E. Watkins leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

"RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Juanita E. Watkins, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community; and be it further

"RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Juanita E. Watkins."

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Senator Smith on the resolution.

SENATOR SMITH:Thank you very much, Mr. President.

And thank you, colleagues, for allowing this moment during our legislative session to deliberate and to pause to honor certain individuals.

One of the most promising moments that I've had on this floor is doing resolution work. I know there are those that will argue doing budgets are significant and when we pass budgets there are so many lives that we are affecting and we are helping. It's probably the pinnacle of their moment being involved in this legislative body.

For me, while that is somewhat true, most important to me and what I find to be most exciting is being able to take a moment during our deliberation and honor individuals who have had such an impact on our state, on our city and our communities.

Juanita Watkins was sort of the Shirley Chisholm of Queens. And I'm sure that Senator Stavisky, Senator Gianaris, Senator Sanders, Senator Addabbo, Senator Avella all remember Juanita Watkins.

And you know when she gave you the finger -- and I mean her pointer -- you knew that you were in trouble. She had this distinguished tone in her voice that clearly made you understand that the intellectual level that she was approaching was one that you better be prepared to respond to or you would quickly lose the argument.

She was also someone who distinguished herself by being the first African-American woman to chair the county committee in the Borough of Queens.

And those of you that traveled through Kennedy Airport, when you went to the JFK Sheraton Hotel and you rested yourself there, you have no idea the fight that she put up to have that particular place turned into a hotel.

So when you are resting there and enjoying your moment, just remember Juanita Watkins, who made such a tremendous commitment to making sure that seniors and individual communities in Queens were treated fairly. She traveled to Washington, she traveled to conventions. There are some people that you don't know who are unsung heroes; she's one of them.

And that's why today, while there are many things that we are excited about -- we are clearly going to be excited about Tony Avella's resolution as it relates to the comfort women. We also know what we did today about Catholic dedication.

But I will tell you, for me, doing what we are doing here for Juanita Watkins is very special. It's special for her family, for her mother, who she was close to, it's special for many people who I know in Queens who will recognize when we bring this resolution forward in another meaningful way.

So I thank you, Mr. President, for this time, and I thank my colleagues for allowing me to have this moment to share something that was not only heartfelt but was very important to the people of Queens.

Thank you, Mr. President.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Thank you, Senator Smith.

Senator Sanders on the resolution.

SENATOR SANDERS:Thank you, Mr. President. I also pause to draw attention to Juanita Watkins.

Councilmember Watkins was my predecessor at the City Council. I found her to be hardworking, a giant, a person who really loved getting things done. And she set the goal, the bar, if you wish, that I try to live up to.

She fought hard for her constituents. She made her name, or one of the things that drew attention to her was she fought in 1999 to get federal support during the floods that ravaged our district. And yet here we are again, I guess drawing tribute to her. I will lean on her strength to figure out how to get some federal support now for our district.

She loved her family, she loved her church, she loved her constituents, she loved her political party. That was Juanita Watkins. And I'm sure that my other colleagues will bring their memories to task, so I will stop there.

Thank you very much.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Thank you, Senator Sanders.

Senator Stavisky on the resolution.

SENATOR STAVISKY:Yes, very briefly, Mr. President.

I too remember Juanita Watkins with great affection because she was an affectionate woman. She was a warm, compassionate leader in her community who fought for the things that she thought were worth fighting for. She was a part of a culture of Queens.

And it's very difficult to explain to somebody who doesn't live in Queens what a large family we are. We may look different, but we are friends. We work together and we care about each other. And I cared very much about Juanita Watkins. I remember her mother with great fondness also, and Senator Sanders is nodding his head. She was also a remarkable woman who died only a few years ago.

But when we get together in the future, we're going to talk about people such as Juanita Watkins and the tremendous impact she had on the lives of the people not just in Jamaica but in the county and in fact the city and state.

Thank you, Mr. President.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Thank you, Senator Stavisky.

Are there other Senators wishing to be heard on the resolution?

Seeing none, those in favor of the resolution signify by saying aye.

(Response of "Aye.")

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Opposed, nay.

(No response.)

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:The resolution is adopted.

Senator Libous.

SENATOR LIBOUS:Mr. President, could we please have a moment of silence for this remarkable individual.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:If we would please rise and pause for a moment of silence in memory of Juanita Watkins.

(Whereupon, the assemblage respected a moment of silence.)

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Thank you.

Senator Libous.

SENATOR LIBOUS:Also I believe, Mr. President, that Senator Smith would like to open this up to all members.

And again, as the policy goes, if you wish not to be on the resolution, please advise the desk.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:The resolution is open for cosponsorship. If you do not wish to be a cosponsor, please notify the desk.

Senator Libous.

SENATOR LIBOUS:Mr. President, I believe there's a resolution at the desk by Senator Avella, Number 304. I would ask that you read it in its entirety, and then I would ask for its immediate adoption, after you call on Senator Avella.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:The Secretary will please read the resolution.

THE SECRETARY:Legislative Resolution Number 304, by Senator Avella, memorializing a Memorial Monument in the State of New York that pays tribute to those who have become known to the world as "Comfort Women."

"WHEREAS, During the Japanese colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands from the 1930s through the duration of World War II, approximately 200,000 young women were coerced into the Comfort Women system of forced military prostitution; and

"WHEREAS, On June 16, 2012, the Comfort Women Memorial Monument was established in the Veterans Memorial at Eisenhower Park in Westbury, New York, to honor and commemorate the victims of the Comfort Women system; and

"WHEREAS, The Memorial Monument, being the second memorial of its kind in the United States, symbolizes suffering endured by 'Comfort Women' and serves as a reminder of the crime against humanity committed through the Comfort Women system; and

"WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize historical monuments within the State of New York that are established to increase awareness of serious events that have taken place in history; and

"WHEREAS, The United Nations reports that 2.4 million people across the globe are victims of human trafficking at any one time, and 80 percent of them are being exploited as sexual slaves; now, therefore, be it

"RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize a Memorial Monument in the State of New York that pays tribute to those who have become known to the world as 'Comfort Women'; and be it further

"RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Korean American Public Affairs Committee, the Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and Korean American Civic Empowerment."

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Senator Avella on the resolution.

SENATOR AVELLA:Thank you, Mr. President.

On December 31, 2012, President Obama proclaimed January as the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, rededicating America's commitment to ending any form of human trafficking.

In recognition of the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, I am honored to introduce Senate Resolution 304, which will also be introduced in the Assembly by Assemblyman Lavine, which memorializes the victims of the "comfort women" system, also known as one of the largest case of human trafficking in the 20th century.

While most of us are familiar with the heinous war crimes committed through the Holocaust, the issue of comfort women has yet to gain a level of recognition. Approximately 200,000 young women from Korea, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia and the Netherlands were coerced into the comfort women system of forced military prostitution.

In order to memorialize the suffering endured by comfort women, the Comfort Women Memorial Monument was established in the Veterans Memorial at Eisenhower Park in Westbury, New York, in June 2012.

It's always been said if we do not learn from past mistakes, we are bound to repeat them. For this reason I strongly believe it is important for New Yorkers to learn about the crime against humanity and violence against women committed through the comfort women system.

I want to thank Senator Skelos, Senator Klein, and Senator Stewart-Cousins for allowing this resolution to come before this body, and I also want to thank the Korean community members who are here today who dedicated their time and efforts to honor and support comfort women in their fight for proper acknowledgment and apology by the Japanese government.

Especially I would like to recognize, from the Korean American Public Affairs Committee, Mr. David Lee, the president; Mr. In Bong Kang; Dr. Sonny Lee; Dr. Ilsuk Kim; Dr. Hodal Kim. From the Korean American Association of Albany, Mr. Hyun Jae Kang, president; Ms. Myung Steenburgh; Mr. Wook Jin Hwang. And from the Senior Citizen Voters Federation of New York, Mr. Hyung Bin Im, the president, and Mr. Il Yoon Kim.

Thank you, gentlemen, for your help in putting this together for your recognition.

And I want to encourage all my colleagues to vote for the resolution, and I thank you again for bringing this to the forefront.

Thank you, Mr. President.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Thank you, Senator Avella.

Senator Stavisky on the resolution.

SENATOR STAVISKY:Yes, thank you, Senator Avella, for introducing this resolution, which highlights some really significant issues.

But first to my Korean friends, may I say "Ayn yong haseyo," which is the way we say "hello."

May I also wish our Korean American friends a Happy Lunar New Year: "Saehae bok mahni badeuseyo."

I think this highlights the multiculturalism that is the State of New York.

And this issue of comfort women is an important one because it highlights the need to focus on human trafficking no matter where it occurs, whether it occurred during the Second World War in Nanjing -- women in China were subjected to the same kinds of indignities and disgraceful behavior on the part of the aggressive nations -- whether they be part of the various massacres that have occurred. These are issues of crimes against women because they are women.

And I commend, as I said, Senator Avella for the resolution.

Let me also urge my colleagues, if they happen to be in Queens County at any time, that they come visit the holocaust museum, the Kupferberg Center at Queensborough Community College, which is an interactive museum of sorts, but it's a living museum, and there's a section deeming with the Korean comfort women.

And it highlights the needs of society to recognize that human trafficking, which exists even as we meet here today, that that attitude, that pervasive attack on women because they are women, that has to end.

So again, I welcome our friends to Albany and urge the adoption of this resolution.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Thank you, Senator Stavisky.

Senator Smith on the resolution.

SENATOR SMITH:Thank you very much, Mr. President.

And also let me thank Senator Avella for bringing this resolution forward.

As one who has ancestors who understands what human trafficking and slavery is all about, one who knows how that can be so deleterious to one's state of mind, colleagues, I believe we have and we owe it to every person, in particular the comfort women who want to bring this to the forefront, to recognize -- just as Senator Avella said the President has recognized this month -- that we will not allow that, we will not tolerate it.

Unfortunately, it goes on right now, in Brooklyn. Senator Savino knows that as well. As we stand here in 2013, human trafficking is happening right now. And it absolutely is appalling. It makes no sense when here we are in a time when we are texting and emailing and talking about moving people to Mars and the moon, and yet we still have human trafficking going on in this world.

I believe that today we need to make it our oath of office as we have taken that we will not tolerate this, that we will do all that is necessary, through within our power, through our committees and through our ability to communicate with law enforcement and others, that we will eradicate human trafficking as it exists today, that we will forever honor our women, who for some reason are still in a place where they are not treated as equal.

And I do applaud the Governor for his initiative that will be coming to this floor sometime soon this year.

But to my colleagues and to my friends who are here, know that on this day you can be assured that the State Senate of New York is with you and we will no longer allow this to go on, and that you have friends that understand the plight and will be moving forward from this day to reassure that the comfort women recognize and we recognize how important this issue is.

I thank you very much. And Senator Avella, seriously, I thank you for bringing this forward. Many people don't recognize the significance of this, nor have they taken the time to figure out what is going on. And I really thank you for what you've done today.

Thank you, Mr. President.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Thank you, Senator Smith.

Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard on the resolution?

Seeing none, those in favor of the resolution say aye.

(Response of "Aye.")

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Those opposed, nay.

(No response.)

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:The resolution is adopted.

Senator Libous.

SENATOR LIBOUS:Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President, I believe Senator Avella would like to open the resolution up for sponsorship.

So if there's any members wishing not to go on the resolution, please let the desk know.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:The resolution is open for cosponsorship. If you do not wish to be a cosponsor, please notify the desk.

Senator Libous.

SENATOR LIBOUS:Mr. President, in consultation with Senator Stewart-Cousins, Senator Klein, Senator Skelos, the Democratic Conference will hand up the following membership lists to be filed in the Journal.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:So ordered.

Senator Libous.

SENATOR LIBOUS:Mr. President, at this point the Senate will stand at ease.

But members who have very important things to do in the district or meetings in the Capitol may need to do so and will not need to return to the chamber. We will handle those affairs with my colleagues the Deputy Democratic Leader and the Deputy IDC Leader.

So the Senate will stand at ease.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:The Senate will stand at ease.

(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 11:39 a.m.)

(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 12:21 p.m.)

SENATOR LIBOUS:Mr. President.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:Senator Libous.

SENATOR LIBOUS:At this time, Mr. President, I would like to hand up, on behalf of Senator Skelos and Senator Klein, the following Majority Coalition committee assignment.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:So ordered.

Senator Libous.

SENATOR LIBOUS:Mr. President, is there any further business at the desk?

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:There is no business at the desk.

SENATOR LIBOUS:There being no further business, I move that we adjourn until Monday, February 4th, the day after the Super Bowl, at 3:00 p.m., intervening days being legislative days.

ACTING PRESIDENT CARLUCCI:On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Monday, February 4th, at 3:00 p.m., intervening days being legislative days.

(Whereupon, at 12:22 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)