Tuesday, March 10, 2015

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:Senator Gianaris.

SENATOR GIANARIS:Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Rivera, I move that the following bill be discharged from its respective committee and be recommitted with instructions to strike the enacting clause: Senate Bill 2220.

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:So ordered.

Senator Hannon.

SENATOR HANNON:Mr. President, I'd like now to move that we adopt the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of Resolution Number 910, by Senator Skelos.

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:All in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of Resolution Number 910, signify by saying aye.

(Response of "Aye.")

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:Opposed, nay.

(No response.)

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:The Resolution Calendar is adopted.

SENATOR HANNON:I'd like to ask you now to take up Resolution 910 and read it in its entirety.

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Legislative Resolution Number 910, by Senators Skelos, Klein and Stewart-Cousins, mourning the death of His Eminence Cardinal Edward M. Egan, Archbishop Emeritus of New York and noted spiritual leader.

"WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow that this Legislative Body, representing the people of the State of New York, is moved this day to pay tribute to a preeminent Catholic leader of indomitable faith and dedication whose purposeful life and accomplishments will forever stand as a paradigm and inspiration for others; and

"WHEREAS, A truly sincere and faithful shepherd of the Roman Catholic Church, His Eminence Cardinal Edward M. Egan died on Thursday, March 5, 2015, in Manhattan, at the age of 82; and

"WHEREAS, Born in Oak Park, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, on April 2, 1932, Edward Michael Egan was the third of four children to Thomas and Genevieve Costello Egan, both devout Catholics; and

"WHEREAS, In 1943, young Edward contracted polio; although he missed two years at St. Giles Catholic School, he still managed to graduate at the top of his class; and

"WHEREAS, In 1951, he graduated from Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago; he continued his education and earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, illinois, before completing four years of theological studies at Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he was ordained on December 15, 1957; and

"WHEREAS, Assigned to Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Edward M. Egan taught convert classes and served as a hospital chaplain; he then became the private secretary to Cardinal Meyer, before being named Assistant Chancellor of the Archdiocese; and

"WHEREAS, Edward M. Egan returned to Rome in 1960, to attend Pontifical Gregorian University; after four years, he earned his Doctorate in Canon Law; and

"WHEREAS, Upon graduating, he went back to Chicago to serve as Cardinal Cody's secretary and later Co-Chancellor of the Archdiocese, working on interfaith relations and social concerns until 1971, when he once again returned to Rome, this time staying until 1985; and

"WHEREAS, While in Rome, he worked as a law professor and later a judge of the Sacred Roman Rota, part of the Vatican's court system, dealing with marriage annulments and other issues; Edward M. Egan was one of just six lawyers who reviewed Pope John Paul's Code of Canon Law, some 1,750 doctrines governing the church, which was promulgated in 1983; and

"WHEREAS, In 1985, Edward M. Egan was named Auxiliary Bishop of New York and Vicar of Education for the Archdiocese under Cardinal O'Connor; three years later, he was named Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, made up of more than 80 parishes, a diverse population of 360,000 Catholics and masses celebrated in 20 languages; and

"WHEREAS, On June 19, 2000, Edward M. Egan was installed as the ninth Archbishop of New York, the esteemed position he held for nine years until his retirement in 2009; and

"WHEREAS, In addition, Archbishop Edward M. Egan was elevated to the Cardinalate by Pope John Paul II at the Consistory of February 21, 2001, becoming the Cardinal-Priest of both Saint John and Saint Paul; and

"WHEREAS, As Archbishop, Cardinal Edward M. Egan was one of America's most familiar Catholic leaders; he lived his life based on principles and values of compassion, integrity, justice and kindness; his empathy will continue to serve as comfort to those seeking to make the world a more loving and just place; and

"WHEREAS, Cardinal Edward M. Egan's legacy will live forever, not only in the many, many lives he touched, but in the good works he has left behind; he reached out to constituents, visiting parishes, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, daycare centers and other institutions; furthermore, he wrote columns for Catholic publications and hosted a weekly satellite radio program on church and religious affairs; and

"WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to celebrate the life of this esteemed religious leader who accepted the responsibilities of moral leadership and who dedicated his life to serving others, and to express its deepest condolences to His Eminence's nieces and nephews; he will truly be missed by all those he befriended and served; now, therefore, be it

"RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of His Eminence Cardinal Edward M. Egan, Archbishop Emeritus of New York and noted spiritual leader, as well as rejoice in his life, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith in his service to God, man and his community; and be it further

"RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of His Eminence Cardinal Edward M. Egan, and the Archdiocese of New York."

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:Senator Skelos.

SENATOR SKELOS:Thank you, Mr. President. And congratulations on presiding for the first time.

Today we join the Archdiocese of New York City and Catholics throughout the world in mourning a remarkable spiritual leader. His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan was a man of great character who provided inspiration to people of all faiths -- and I underline that, people of all faiths.

While he was a native of Chicago, it was here in New York we were able to witness Cardinal Egan's ability to strengthen the Catholic Church and the communities it serves. And in particular, when I had the opportunity to have lunch with him, his biggest concern was making sure that our kids, especially in New York City underserved communities, had the quality of education that they deserve, whether it's in the public school or in parochial schools.

Our city and state experienced many highs and lows during the nine years he served as archbishop, but no day had more of an impact than the terrorist attacks of September 11th.

Amidst the catastrophic loss of life and the searching to make sense of something that had been unthinkable, Cardinal Egan helped console a country through prayer -- not just New York City, not just New York State, the entire country. He compassionately presided over funeral after funeral, offered insights to help us find peace in an uncertain time, and brought our entire region closer together with faith.

It was through these personal encounters that people were able to feel the true warmth and kindness and his unending devotion to God. Cardinal Egan was an extraordinary servant of the Lord here on earth, and we are grateful for the legacy he has gifted us.

While he was be dearly missed, we should find solace in the newest journey, the newest journey as he celebrates his exceptional life with God in heaven.

Thank you, Mr. President.

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:Senator Valesky.

SENATOR VALESKY:Yes, thank you, Mr. President.

I'm pleased to join Senator Skelos today in offering some thoughts in regard to the passing of Edward Cardinal Egan. And I offer these comments on behalf of Senator Klein and the other members of the Senate Independent Democratic Conference.

First, my deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family of Edward Cardinal Egan, those serving the Archdiocese of New York, as well as the greater New York Catholic community.

For many during this time of mourning, recurring thoughts and fond memories come up, and rightfully so. Cardinal Egan served New York with distinction, with honor and with grace, and it is only fitting that we take this time to recognize his leadership. He was not only a man of noble, steadfast faith, but a true spiritual leader whom we remember today with respect and admiration.

There perhaps is no greater example in recent years of an individual in such an esteemed position of faith who was, by all accounts, a living example of the teachings that he shared. Cardinal Egan was known for his grace, his kindness and his integrity. He lived the teachings of his church and at every turn in his life joyfully shared those teachings with others.

His legacy and works as the Cardinal Archbishop of New York are many and well-known. He was a fighting advocate for the benefits of Catholic education and was no stranger here in Albany, where he made his case for a fair share of funding for the schools he represented.

And as Senator Skelos indicated, in the days and months after September 11th he served as a true shepherd to his devastated flock, and he guided and tended to those suffering with the greatest level of compassion.

And he worked throughout his tenure to ensure that the archdiocese continued to grow and to flourish. There is perhaps no greater gift a man of his stature can leave those he served than the lessons and legacy of his work. And as we mourn the passing of Cardinal Egan, those lessons and the legacy of that work will no doubt live on through the Catholic Church in New York and its flock.

Thank you.

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:Senator Latimer.

SENATOR LATIMER:Thank you, Mr. President.

I rise for a word about His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan.

As a parishioner myself in the archdiocese of New York, I had the opportunity not only to meet Cardinal Egan but to see his work over his tenure as cardinal for that archdiocese.

And we all saw, those of us in the Catholic community, his strong will, his toughness, his smartness, and in his tenure, which was a difficult economic time for the archdiocese, for churches and schools, his ability to make tough decisions as a businessman would, but at the same time to do it a loving way as a clergyman would.

On Ash Wednesday, every Catholic receives ashes and the priest, when he puts the ashes on your forehead, says "Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return." So it is to the dust that he has returned, except that it is also written that he will be welcomed into the company of the Lord in heaven. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:Senator Hannon.

SENATOR HANNON:Is there any further business at the desk?

Oh, excuse me, we have to adopt the resolution.

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:The question is on the resolution. All in favor signify by saying aye.

(Response of "Aye.")

SENATOR HANNON:Could we stand and show our sign of adoption of the resolution?

(Whereupon, the assemblage rose.)

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:On the reason, all in favor signify by saying aye.

(Response of "Aye.")

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:Opposed, nay.

(No response.)

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:The resolution is adopted.

Senator Hannon.

SENATOR HANNON:Is there any further business at the desk, Mr. President?

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:There is none.

SENATOR HANNON:How about if we ask everybody if they'd like to cosponsor the resolution.

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:Senator Hannon, the resolution will remain open for anyone wishing to cosponsor.

SENATOR HANNON:I would actually suggest that we presume that everybody will be on the resolution unless they so object.

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:Anyone wishing not to be on the resolution will make note to the Secretary.

SENATOR HANNON:All right, now we can check for business. Anything further?

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:No. There being no further business --

SENATOR HANNON:-- I move we adjourn until tomorrow, Wednesday, March 11th, at 3:00 p.m.

ACTING PRESIDENT CROCI:On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 11th, at 3:00 p.m.

(Whereupon, at 5:26 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)