Gaveled in 5:30 PM · Albany, New York · 2013–14 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
March 12, 2014
5:30 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
SENATOR DAVID J. VALESKY, Acting President
FRANCIS W. PATIENCE, Secretary
P R O C E E D I N G SACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:The Senate will come to order.
I ask everyone present to please rise and recite with me the Pledge of Allegiance.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:In the absence of clergy, may we bow our heads in a moment of silence.
(Whereupon, the assemblage respected a moment of silence.)
ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:The reading of the Journal.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Tuesday, March 11th, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Monday, March 10th, was read and approved. On motion, Senate adjourned.
ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:Without objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports from state officers.
Motions and regulations.
Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS:Thank you, Mr. President.
At this time I would ask you to call on the Democratic Leader, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:Senator Stewart-Cousins.
SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS:Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise today to just pay tribute to a special guest who's visiting us: Donna Zaccaro.
Donna, if you would rise.
This is Women's History Month. And obviously we have an opportunity to pay tribute to many great women throughout history, and certainly women in New York State. Donna Zaccaro is the daughter of a woman that most of us have had the opportunity to know of and even meet in our lifetime. She's the daughter of Geraldine Ferraro.
And as we know, Geraldine Ferraro played a significant political role for women as the daughter of immigrant parents who rose to be the very first woman to be on a national ticket as vice president in 1984.
I often tell the story of how when I was a journalism student on election night in 1984, they sent me to cover Geraldine Ferraro and Walter Mondale's election night. And how thrilled I was, as were all of the reporters that night, to be at this moment, regardless of the results, with this historic, iconic figure who not only worked with such great poise throughout the campaign but certainly showed the attributes of a true winner even on that devastating evening for her.
Donna Zaccaro is going to be presenting her film, which is a feature-length documentary. I don't suppose any of us will get to see it because it will be this evening at 6:30 in --
SENATOR LIBOUS:Now, Senator, you never know.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS:We might be, okay. There you go. Hope springs eternal. Senator Libous says that we might be able to get there.
So should we get there, we will get an opportunity to see footage about Geraldine Ferraro that we've never seen. And it is a powerful documentary -- which will be on Showtime, I believe it is, later in the month and for a whole month -- that will not only I believe inform us, but inspire us, and certainly inspire so many women who have yet to blaze new trails but can be educated and informed by the life of our great Geraldine Ferraro.
So I just wanted to welcome Donna Zaccaro, wish you the very, very best of luck in introducing your mother to generations of women who did not have the privilege, and reminding us who did the privilege how great she was.
Thank you very much.
(Standing ovation.)
ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:Thank you, Senator Stewart-Cousins.
Certainly a special welcome to Ms. Zaccaro. Welcome to the New York State Senate chamber, and hope you're enjoying your day here in Albany. Thank you.
Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS:Thank you, Mr. President.
And like I always try to do, is grant wishes for Senator Stewart-Cousins --
(Laughter.)
SENATOR LIBOUS:-- I would ask if there's any further business at the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:The desk is clear, Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS:There being no further business, I move that the Senate adjourn until Thursday, March 13th, at 11:00 a.m.
ACTING PRESIDENT VALESKY:On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Thursday, March 13th, at 11:00 a.m.
(Whereupon, at 5:35 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)