Gaveled in 3:18 PM · Albany, New York · 2015–16 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
April 11, 2016
3:18 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KATHLEEN C. HOCHUL, President
FRANCIS W. PATIENCE, Secretary
P R O C E E D I N G STHE PRESIDENT:The Senate will come to order.
I ask everyone present to please rise and repeat with me the Pledge of Allegiance.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
THE PRESIDENT:Rabbi Butman is with us today to give us the invocation. He is from the Lubavitch Youth Organization in Brooklyn, New York.
RABBI BUTMAN:Let us pray.
{In Hebrew} Our heavenly Father, please bestow Your benevolence on the members of the New York State Senate.
Bless them personally, and their families, with all good things, so that they should be able to serve You and people in the State of New York faithfully as they have until now, especially if today or lately the members of the New York State Senate have passed a resolution honoring the Rebbe, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, with 114 days of education, commemorating 114 years since the birth of the Rebbe.
The Rebbe cared for the education of each child regardless of race, religion, color or creed. I heard the Rebbe say many times that he wants each child to know that there is an Eye that sees and there is an Ear that hears, and that the world is not a jungle.
In 1991, before I went to Washington to open the United States Senate -- which is a branch, of course of this Senate -- I went to see the Rebbe. And the Rebbe said to me: "Take with you a tzedakah box, a charity box. And during your prayer you should offer $1 into the charity box. And everybody should see what you are doing, and they should know what money should be used for."
So it is my unique pleasure today, and privilege, to do what the Rebbe told me. And I'm putting in a dollar, on which it says "In God We Trust," into the pushkeh, into the charity box right now. And I would invite each and every one of you, if you want, to participate as well.
But I don't want you to think that this is a fundraising campaign. Because if it were, we would ask you for much more than $1.
(Laughter.)
RABBI BUTMAN:This is a campaign for goodness and kindness. You are chosen, each and every single one of you, you are chosen by Almighty God and by the people of the State of New York to be the custodians of laws, of goodness and kindness and honesty, democracy and decency, for the people of the State of New York.
And because New York is such a great state and has influence on all the states in the Union, you also have influence all over the United States. And by extension, as the United States of America is a superpower, you have influence all over the world.
So all the laws and all the good things that you do in this chamber are not limited only to the people of New York, they are universal, because everyone is looking up to you: What do the people in the State of New York do?
I want you to know that every Shabbos -- every Saturday -- in our shuls, in our synagogues, we say a special prayer for you. We say the {in Hebrew}. I don't want to test your Hebrew, but it means all those who serve the public faithfully, as you do, we offer a special prayer for you that Almighty God should keep His benevolence on you and save you and guard you and keep you and give you all the things that you need, and give you a lot of happiness and success, not only in your public life but in indeed in your personal lives.
And let us say amen.
(Pause.)
THE PRESIDENT:The reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Sunday, April 10th, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Saturday, April 9th, was read and approved. On motion, Senate adjourned.
THE PRESIDENT:Without objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:On page 11, Senator Ritchie moves to discharge, from the Committee on Agriculture, Assembly Bill Number 8082 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 4851A, Third Reading Calendar 176.
On page 21, Senator Venditto moves to discharge, from the Committee on Codes, Assembly Bill Number 6503A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 3822A, Third Reading Calendar 432.
THE PRESIDENT:So ordered.
Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports of state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Madam President, on page 9 I offer the following amendments to Calendar Number 98, Senate Print Number 6469 -- a bill by Senator Amedore -- and ask that the bill retain its place on Third Reading Calendar.
THE PRESIDENT:So ordered.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: On page 11, I offer the following amendments to Calendar Number 194, Senate Print 4926B, by Senator O'Mara, and ask that said bill retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
THE PRESIDENT:So ordered.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: And lastly, on page 27 I offer the following amendments to Calendar 504, Senate Print 6565, by Senator Lanza, and ask that said bill retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
THE PRESIDENT:So ordered.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Would you please recognize Senator Gianaris.
THE PRESIDENT:Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Thank you, Madam President.
On behalf of Senator Stavisky, on page number 18 I offer the following amendments to Calendar 383, Senate Print 3193, and ask that said bill retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
THE PRESIDENT:So ordered.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Madam President, I would now like to hand up some committee assignments.
THE PRESIDENT:The committee assignments are received.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Thank you.
I'd like to now call an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.
THE PRESIDENT:Immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332 of the Capitol.
The Senate will stand at ease.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: The sooner we get there, the sooner we get back. Thank you.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 3:26 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 3:41 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate will come to order.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Could we return to reports of standing committees for a report of the Rules Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We will return to reports of standing committees.
The Secretary will read the report of the Rules Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Flanagan, from the Committee on Rules, reports the following bills:
Senate Print 3891, by Senator Nozzolio, an act to amend the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law;
Senate 5056C, by Senator Young, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law;
Senate 5670A, by Senator Valesky, an act to amend the State Finance Law;
Senate 6726A, by Senator Serino, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate 6891, by Senator Hoylman, an act to authorize;
Senate 7003, by Senator Flanagan, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate 7013A, by Senator Serino, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law;
Senate 7158A, by Senator LaValle, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate 7235, by Senator O'Mara, an act to amend the Tax Law;
And Senate 7236, by Senator Ritchie, an act to amend the Tax Law.
All bills reported direct to third reading.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I move to accept the report of the Rules Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:All in favor of accepting the Committee on Rules report signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Rules report is accepted and before the house.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Could we now take up the noncontroversial reading of the active list for today.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We will begin with the active-list reading of today's calendar, with Calendar Number 43.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 43, by Senator Hannon, Senate Print 5313A, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect on the 180th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 55. Nays, 2. Senators Felder and Lanza recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 176, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Magee, Assembly Print 8082, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 56. Nays, 1. Senator Espaillat recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 180, by Senator Ritchie, Senate Print 4188C, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 56. Nays, 1. Senator Ranzenhofer recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 208, by Senator Little, Senate Print 4296B, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the first of January.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Little to explain her vote.
SENATOR LITTLE:Thank you, Mr. President.
I would like to thank all who are supporting this piece of legislation. It's a new bill, and what it actually does is require that when you go and have your car inspected on an annual basis, the person inspecting the car checks with the website where you -- it's called safercar.gov, a federal website, and it will indicate whether or not you have an active recall on that car. And then on your inspection report, you will get the message, yes, you have an active recall on your car, and this is the recall.
And the reason for doing this is that very often cars are sold -- and I know I have sold a car, traded it in, and then months later get a recall notice on the car that I already sold, which you throw away.
So this is a way -- and especially if you've bought a car from a relative, a friend, there's no record, a quick record so that you get a recall immediately.
We know that there's one manufacturer who has just sent out more recalls about an airbag that can spit out kind of material, sharp items from it. And many, many more cars are being recalled. In 2015, 51 million vehicles had a recall on them.
So this is one way of having an annual reminder. It's up to the person to go and do something about it, take their car to a manufacturer who will fix the car for free.
And I think it's a good bill, and I appreciate support for it.
Thank you very much.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Little to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 231, by Senator Little, Senate Print 1229A, an act to amend the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 6. This act shall take effect on the 60th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 57. Nays, 1. Senator DeFrancisco recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 421, by Senator Carlucci, Senate Print 6528, an act to amend Lauren's Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Carlucci to explain his vote.
SENATOR RITCHIE:Thank you, Mr. President.
Right now in New York State we have over 10,000 men, women and children currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. And unfortunately, in New York about every 15 hours someone passes away while waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
And what makes matters worse here in New York is we lag behind almost every state in the nation when it comes to the percentage of people that are eligible, that are actually enrolled in the organ donor program. Lauren's Law, this legislation that we're voting on right now to make permanent, is an effort to change that.
It's named after a young girl named Lauren Shields who, when she was 9 years old, she spent 15 days on life support waiting for a lifesaving heart transplant. And she's one of the lucky ones. She received that lifesaving heart transplant in the nick of time. And since then, she has spoken to anyone that she can about her ordeal, her experience. And she'd be here today, but she's studying for exams in school. But she wanted to be here.
But what we're trying to do is make it permanent. When we originally passed this bill, it took effect October 3, 2013. And what it does is very simple. We found that over 97 percent of the people that enroll in the organ donor program do it through the Department of Motor Vehicles. So hey, we don't have to recreate the wheel, let's just do what other states already do and incorporate that in New York State.
So now when you go to the DMV, you're asked a question: Would you like to be an organ donor? Yes, or skip the question.
And since October 3rd of 2013 when this bill took effect -- and thanks to Senator Hannon, with some tweaks and amendments -- we've seen the numbers increase. We've actually seen a 60 percent increase in the percentage of people that actually enroll.
And we believe that just in the next four years, by keeping Lauren's Law going, we're going to enroll another half a million people. Those are the numbers that we predict.
Now, what this bill would do is make Lauren's Law permanent, so it doesn't have to come before us every few years, but makes sure that that's a permanent change so we can move forward in saving people's lives.
So I want to thank Senator Flanagan, Majority Leader Flanagan for really pushing these issues; Senator Serino and Senator Hannon, who have bills on the floor today, because I think this is a bright day. This is a day really where we're making a pivot turn and we're saying in New York we can do better, we will do better. By passing this law, making Lauren's Law permanent, we will save lives.
So I want to thank all the Senators for voting yes on this legislation. I want to thank the advocates that are here, thank you for your hard work and dedication to making sure that this bill and other bills like it become a reality in New York and we save people's lives.
I'll be voting in the affirmative.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Carlucci in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 422, by Senator Perkins, Senate Print 6887, an act to amend Chapter 192 of the Laws of 2011.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 423, by Senator Hannon, Senate Print 6952A, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the first of January.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 424, by Senator Little, Senate Print 819A, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the first of November.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 425, by Senator Klein, Senate Print 1524, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the first of November.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 431, by Senator Nozzolio, Senate Print 3806, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the first of November.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 431, those recorded in the negative are Senators Hassell-Thompson, Krueger, Montgomery and Perkins.
Ayes, 54. Nays, 4.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 432, substituted earlier by Member of the Assembly Cusick, Assembly Print 6503A, an act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the first of November.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 57. Nays, 1. Senator Montgomery recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 439, by Senator Savino, Senate Print 3667, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 450, by Senator Díaz, Senate Print 113, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect on the first of November.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 452, by Senator Gallivan, Senate Print 395, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 457, by Senator Boyle, Senate Print 610, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 180th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Krueger to explain her vote.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you, Mr. President.
You know, you read the title of the bill and you think, how can you vote against this? Obviously revenge pornography is a very disturbing concept. But when you read the bill, you understand that it can literally be teenagers sexting to each other, which is happening in every high school in our state.
It's disturbing. Teenagers don't necessarily understand the ramifications of sharing photos of each other and then distributing them widely.
New York State already has a law on cyberbullying and sexting by teenagers involving mandatory counseling and community service. I actually think that's the right way to approach this, including broader education of our teenagers about what is and is not appropriate behavior.
I'm disturbed at the idea of moving this into the felony column and ending up in a situation where teenagers could find themselves with jail time because they were stupid teenagers with cameras on their phones.
I vote no. Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Krueger to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 457, those recorded in the negative are Senators Hamilton, Hassell-Thompson, Krueger, Montgomery, and Rivera.
Ayes, 53. Nays, 5.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 465, by Senator Kennedy, Senate Print 1499, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 90th day.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 57. Nays, 1. Senator Perkins recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 467, by Senator Carlucci, Senate Print 1740, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 12. This act shall take effect on the first of November.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 57. Nays, 1. Senator Montgomery recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 477, by Senator Young, Senate Print 2993, an act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 57. Nays, 1. Senator Perkins recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 491, by Senator Serino, Senate Print 3694A, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 491, those recorded in the negative are Senators Hassell-Thompson, Montgomery and Perkins.
Ayes, 55. Nays, 3.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 498, by Senator Venditto, Senate Print 4777, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 57. Nays, 1. Senator Montgomery recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 500, by Senator Croci, Senate Print 5201, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 56. Nays, 2. Senators Montgomery and Perkins recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 511, by Senator Parker, Senate Print 3549A, an act to amend the Not-For-Profit Corporation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect November 11, 2017.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
Senator DeFrancisco, that completes the noncontroversial reading of today's active-list calendar.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Thank you.
I know at the desk there's a Senate supplemental calendar, Number 33A. Can we take up the noncontroversial reading of that calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We will take up the noncontroversial reading of Senate Supplemental Calendar 33A.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 537, by Senator Nozzolio, Senate Print 3891, an act to amend the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 538, by Senator Young, Senate Print 5056C, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 9. This act shall take effect July 1, 2016.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 539, by Senator Valesky, Senate Print 5670A, an act to amend the State Finance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 57. Nays, 1. Senator Griffo recorded in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 540, by Senator Serino, Senate Print 6726A, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the first of June.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Serino to explain her vote.
SENATOR SAVINO:Savino.
(Laughter.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Savino to explain her vote.
SENATOR SAVINO:Thank you, Mr. President.
I want to thank Senator Serino for introducing this bill.
You may have read in the newspapers there's a movement across this state and across the country to finally add feminine hygiene supplies to the list of untaxed items. It is a -- I guess a way of providing some tax relief to women everywhere, young girls in particular.
But on behalf of women of a certain age everywhere, I would love to offer a friendly amendment and ask for a rebate program, Senator Serino --
(Laughter.)
SENATOR SAVINO:-- but I know it would probably bankrupt the state.
But I vote in favor of this bill.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Savino to be recorded in the affirmative on Senator Serino's bill.
And the Secretary will announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Hoylman moves to discharge, from the Committee on Cities, Assembly Bill Number 9454 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6891, Third Reading Calendar 541.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The substitution is so ordered.
There is a home-rule message present at the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 541, by Member of the Assembly Glick, Assembly Print 9454, an act to authorize.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 542, by Senator Flanagan, Senate Print 7003, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Montgomery to explain her vote.
SENATOR MONTGOMERY:Yes, thank you, Mr. President.
I see that Senator Flanagan, our Leader Flanagan, has introduced legislation which would address an issue related to the health of young people. He would like there to be instructions and information relating to blood, bone marrow, and organ and tissue donations. And certainly, who could be against young people learning about this?
However, last week or a week before, I think it was Senator Klein had a similar bill around health information for young people in their schools. His would talk about sex education, I believe -- at least it was getting close to sex education.
But none of these bills address who is going to actually present that information. And why is it not part of a comprehensive school-based health clinic professional staff that we provide for young people to receive this information as well as so much other information that we know they need and we know that is important in terms of our health system, including young people in our state.
So while I am going to vote yes, it is a protest vote. Because for years I have talked about school-based health in our schools that would provide comprehensive health and social and mental health services information and education, including sex education and every other aspect of the needs of young people's health.
So to Senator Flanagan, I ask that you consider school-based health clinics a priority, not just to continue to do this piecemeal, piece by piece, and in fact it never becomes part of what we do for young people in our state.
So I vote yes, but it's a protest yes. Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Montgomery to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 543, by Senator Serino, Senate Print 7013A, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Can I have some order in the house, please.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Serino to explain her vote.
SENATOR SERINO:Thank you, Mr. President.
People spend years waiting for organs that could save their lives. When those organs finally become available, we need to ensure that organ delivery vehicles can get from Point A to Point B as quickly and safely as possible, and designating them as an emergency vehicle will empower them to do so.
This bill would make more options available for emergency transportation of organ and human tissue delivery so that transport would not need to rely so heavily on ambulance and ambulance supervisory vehicles. When lives are on the line, you cannot afford to waste a single second.
I vote aye. And I also want to thank my cosponsors Senator O'Mara, Senator Kemp Hannon and Senator David Carlucci for your help with organ donations.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Serino to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 544, by Senator LaValle, Senate Print 7158A, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as Section 1 of Part RR of a chapter of the Laws of 2016.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Espaillat to explain his vote.
SENATOR ESPAILLAT:Thank you, Mr. President.
For several years now I have voted against these farm bills because of the conditions affecting farmworkers on farms across the State of New York. As you know, they still don't get overtime pay, they do not get a day's-off rest, they don't get the right to collectively bargain or organize for a union.
But last year we passed the budget, and in the budget we passed a provision increasing the minimum wage to $15 across the City of New York and across the State of New York in a different time frame.
Within that bill, we passed a farmworkers workforce retention credit for Nassau and Suffolk County for $500 for over five years for each worker.
This bill calls for an expansion of that to $1500. There's another bill on the calendar that does it for another region of the state.
There is a barter game. And I'm happy that the farmworkers will get $15 an hour eventually. But just be mindful that we are continuing to invest in our farm industry, and we have increased this farmworkers retention credit from $500 to $1500 for five years.
And I will be voting in the affirmative, Mr. President. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Espaillat to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 545, by Senator O'Mara, Senate Print 7235, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 546, by Senator Ritchie, Senate Print 7236, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2016.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.
Senator DeFrancisco, that completes the noncontroversial reading of Senate Supplemental Calendar 33A.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Can we now take up previously adopted Resolution 3563, by Senator Espaillat, read it in its entirety, and call on the Senator to speak.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We will return to motions and resolutions.
And the Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Legislative Resolution Number 3563, by Senator Espaillat, memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2016, as Russian American History Month in the State of New York.
"WHEREAS, The history and participation of people of Russian heritage in the American experience will be greatly enhanced and appreciated through the observation of April 2016 as Russian American History Month in the State of New York; and
"WHEREAS, Individuals of Russian heritage such as Ivan Turchaninov, Union Army Brigadier General; Igor Sikorsky, inventor of the helicopter and the multi-engine airplane; Vladimir Zworykin, a Russian American inventor, engineer, and pioneer of television technology; composers Sergei Rachmaninoff and Igor Stravinsky; Yul Brynner and Kirk Douglas, Hollywood legends; Serge Brin, cofounder and head of the Google Corporation; Irving Berlin, author of the song 'God Bless America,' and many others have made important contributions to the United States and the world; and
"WHEREAS, The recognition of such significant contributions will enhance the opportunities for Russian American youth to take pride in their forebears and to identify with them as role models; and
"WHEREAS, Colored by shadows of the Cold War, Americans sometimes hold perceptions of Russian Americans which obscure the fact that there has never been a war between Russia and the United States; in fact, our nations were allies during World War II; and
"WHEREAS, Better knowledge of the role of Russian Americans in the history of the United States and of relations between Russia and America can lead to more productive opportunities for all; now, therefore, be it
"RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2016 as Russian American History Month in the State of New York and to urge that during this month there be active efforts to examine the subject in public schools, colleges, universities and other venues, and that events and activities supporting interest and attention to Russian American history and how Russian Americans have retained their cultural identity while contributing significantly to the enrichment of New York State and America be encouraged; and be it further
"RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York and to Dr. Olga Zatsepina, chair of the Coalition in Support of Russian American History Month and president of the RACH-C, (Russian American Cultural Heritage Center, Inc.); Sergey I. Kislyak, ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States; the Honorable Igor L. Golubovsky, consul general of the Russian Federation in New York; Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk, administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States of America; Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Heirarch of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia; Dr. Cyril Geacintov, president of the Russian Nobility Association in America; Tatiana Deptola, president of the New Russia Cultural Center in Albany; and to other members of the coalition."
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Espaillat.
SENATOR ESPAILLAT:Thank you, Mr. President.
For several years now we have been visited by our friends in the Russian American community. As you know, Mr. President, diversity is one of the very strengths of New York State and New York City. And of course the Russian American community is a strong one within the state and the city.
Many may think that Russian Americans are only found or live in Brooklyn, particularly in what is now known as Little Odessa, which is Brighton Beach -- but in fact we have a very strong Russian American presence in the district that I represent. On Bennett Avenue, Fort Washington Avenue, and other avenues in the northern part of Washington Heights, we've had a presence of Russian Americans for some time, and they have contributed greatly to our community and to the State of New York.
And we're celebrating Russian American History Month. And we have with us today in this chamber the presence of Father Alexander Golubov, who's been with us for the second consecutive year. So we're welcoming him. He represents Bishop John, administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the U.S. And Father George Konev, the chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church. Irina Zagornova, a celebrated singer and director of the Golden Rooster Group. Dr. Olga Zatsepina, president of the Russian American Cultural Heritage Center and chair of the Coalition in Support of Russian American History Month. Denis Lvov, Russian Youth Organization. We have also Roman Makhmutov. And a Russian adopted son of Puerto Rican descent, Julio Rodriguez, who is here with us today too, and his lovely wife Olga as well, who is president of the Russian American Cultural Heritage Center and part of the coalition.
We also have a chapter from the Albany region. So we have many Russian Americans right here in the Albany region, headed by our very own Anton Konev, who has worked with some of our members as a staffer. But we also have Tanya Deptola, president of the New Russian Cultural Center in Albany; Olga Aleksandrova, Velentina Sergeeva, Marina Taborovskaya, Greg Loan, Irina Smirnova, Veronika Stryker, Olga Vilensky, and Taisa Melnichenka.
So this is a fine group of -- I have some Russian accent in me, don't I? This is a strong group from New York City and now New York State, because we have members of that community here right in Albany and we want to welcome them into the New York family. This is a special celebration.
And we ask you -- you will also benefit from an art exhibit. As you enter the LOB, you will see the art exhibit there. And we will be hosting a reception in Room 211. You're all invited to attend and get to meet these great people.
And we want to extend them the great courtesies of this chamber, Mr. President. Thank you for allowing me to introduce them.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you, Senator Espaillat.
We welcome all of the members of the Russian American delegation that are here today. We extend the courtesies of the house to you. A warm welcome.
(Applause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:As noted, the resolution was adopted on February 2, 2016.
Senator DeFrancisco, Senator Espaillat has requested the resolution be open for sponsorship. Without objection?
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: No objection here.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The resolution is open for cosponsorship. Should you choose not to be a cosponsor, please notify the desk.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Can we stay on motions and resolutions and take up previously adopted Resolution 3564, by Senator Hannon, read it in its entirety, and call on Senator Hannon and probably others.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.
Can I have some order in the house, please.
THE SECRETARY:Legislative Resolution Number 3564, by Senator Hannon, memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2016 as Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the Observance of National Donate Life Month.
"WHEREAS, Organ and tissue transplantation has advanced from an experimental technique to a successful mode of therapy; for many, transplants mean an improvement in the quality of life; for others they mean the difference between life and death; and
"WHEREAS, Each year the waiting list for organ transplants grows longer; many people die before an organ becomes available; the need for organ donation is real and urgent; and
"WHEREAS, Nationally, the current waiting list for organs has reached more than 123,000 and thousands more need tissues; in New York State alone, nearly 10,000 people are waiting for a transplant; more names are added to the waiting list daily and the number of people on the waiting list far exceeds the number of donors; and
"WHEREAS, To focus attention on the importance of organ and tissue donation and to express gratitude for those who have already given the gift of life, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2016 as Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Donate Life Month, which incorporates both organ and tissue, as well as other donations; and
"WHEREAS, Citizens of the State of New York have, for many years, been encouraged to sign up to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor through the New York State Donate Life Registry, a database of individuals who have chosen, upon their death, to donate their organs and tissues, through online registration, when they apply for or renew their driver's license or non-driver identification card, or at various locations and events held throughout the state each year; and
"WHEREAS, Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month provides the opportunity to help New Yorkers learn more about organ donation, to help the thousands of patients awaiting transplantations, and to recognize the critical need for organ, eye, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donation; and
"WHEREAS, Many New Yorkers have set a powerful example, agreeing to become organ and tissue donors and taking a selfless action which may potentially save or enhance the lives of others, yet there continues to be a shortage of vitally needed organs and tissues and the disparity between the number of registered donors and the number of people needing transplants grows each year; a single person donating at the time of their death can help as many as 50 people; and
"WHEREAS, No one knows when they or a loved one may need a transplant to survive, or tissue to repair injury or treat disease; while there are over 19 million New Yorkers, currently only 4 million are enrolled in the New York State Donate Life Registry; and
"WHEREAS, The observance of Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month provides the opportunity to educate people, to encourage them to consider organ and tissue donation, to add their names to the New York State Donate Life Registry expressing their consent to donate, ensuring that more lives are saved, and to inform their families and friends of their decision; and
"WHEREAS, Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month is also a time to recognize and applaud the researchers, medical professionals, advocates and volunteers, past and present, who have contributed so much to the advancement of organ and tissue donation and transplantation and, most particularly, to acknowledge and express our deepest gratitude for the extraordinary generosity and altruistic gifts of deceased and living donors and their families, so that others may have the opportunity to rear a family, hold a job, and pursue a fuller and more active life; now, therefore, be it
"RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2016 as Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
"RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, the New York Organ Donor Network, the Long Island Transplant Recipients International Organization, and the New York Alliance for Donation."
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Hannon on the resolution.
Can I have some order in the house, please.
SENATOR HANNON:Thank you, Mr. President.
This is a resolution that notes that April is Organ Donation Month. And as a byproduct of that, we have today passed five proposed laws, one extending Lauren's Law permanently; the second providing for emergency vehicles, Senator Serino's bill; Senator Flanagan's bill about education; my own bill about having people who sign up for the New York health exchange be given the chance to become an organ donor; as well as straightening out some glitches with young people becoming organ donors through getting their license.
There's a lot of statistics available for everybody to know how many people are waiting and how many lives could be saved. But as legislators, we know from our friends, our families, our constituents how we often get calls about somebody who's in extremis, somebody who is dying, somebody who needs help. And it only takes one of those illustrations, one of those cases for us to realize what we could do through an organ donation, whether it be through someone who's passed away or someone who's a live donor, that a direct life can be saved.
And for all of the money we spend in this state on healthcare, we know that if we can increase the number of people who are ready to provide an organ through donation, we can save that many more lives. And New York ranks very low on the list of those people who have signed up.
And the whole effort today is to really get folks in the Legislature to be aware of what we can do collectively. We have done it through the budget, where we increased the amount of money spent through organ donation by $750,000, so that now the appropriation is a million dollars a year. And this is only the beginning, to hopefully be able to continue to enlist everybody in this cause.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you, Senator Hannon.
Senator Flanagan.
SENATOR FLANAGAN:Thank you, Mr. President.
I will be succinct. Senator Hannon covered great ground. And all of you know how strongly I feel about this subject. And I'll repeat that I think the smartest thing we can do is do outreach, tell everybody about what's going on out there. Yes, we can have strong government programs, but there's nothing better, like many things in life, than personal contact. Talk to your friends, your neighbors, your coworkers.
And when people bring it up, or if you have on one of these green bracelets -- which I believe a lot of people up there just happen to be wearing today, right, ladies and gentlemen? And a pin, of course. The pins always help too -- that can go a long way.
I am very grateful to Senator Hannon, Senator Carlucci, and others who have been outspoken advocates in this area. As Senator Hannon said, we have come down a long road, made great strides, but we have so much more we need to do. And I want to make this part of the legacy of the work that gets done in this New York State Senate.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you, Senator Flanagan.
Senator Carlucci.
SENATOR CARLUCCI:Thank you, Mr. President.
I just want to echo what my colleagues have said. And really I want to thank Leader Flanagan and Senator Hannon for really putting your expertise towards this mission of finding a way to make sure that we reverse this trend in New York.
But I wanted to speak on this resolution right here because I think this really gets at the heart of it. The bills that Senator Hannon just mentioned, we talk about the mechanics, about how we can really just physically change the system and change our policy to help people.
But I think the biggest issue is the stigma attached to organ donation, that we have to cut through that. We have to talk about this issue wherever we can. And that's why I'm so honored and humbled by the presence of our advocates here today. We have people here today that have received a lifesaving organ transplant and are here today because of that.
And that's why we have to talk about this issue, because it's not something you like to talk about at the dinner table, it's not just something that just comes up organically many times.
That's why Senator Flanagan's bill about how do we make this a topic that our students will debate and talk about in the schools -- by doing that, we will save lives.
So we have to focus on the policy, we have to focus on the mechanics. We also have to focus on the stigma and the ability to talk about this. And in doing that, when people actually talk about it and know the facts, I believe they're going to consciously make the decision to sign up to be an organ donor and they will save lives. One person that makes that decision can save eight lives. It's dramatic. So we need to talk about it whenever we can.
So I'm honored to be part of this resolution. I want to thank the leadership in this house for making this a priority and an issue that we talk about.
So thank you for everyone that's supporting this resolution. And one thing I wanted to mention, Lauren's Law, Lauren Shield. She's studying for an exam so she couldn't be here today. But on Wednesday, on the 13th, she's going to be 16 years old. So it's very fitting that we have April as Organ Donation Awareness Month in the State of New York.
So I'll be voting in the affirmative, and I want to thank all my colleagues for doing the same.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:As noted, the resolution has been previously adopted on February 2nd of 2016.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: There will be an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee in Room 332.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There will be an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee in Room 332.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: There's one more resolution that was previously adopted --
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Also, Senator DeFrancisco, at the request of the sponsor the previous resolution, without objection, is open to cosponsorship.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: No objection.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:So the resolution is open for cosponsorship. Should you choose not to be a cosponsor, notify the desk.
We're turning to motions and resolutions.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Can we take up previously adopted Resolution 4659, by Senator Hamilton, read the title only, and call on -- no, you have to read it in its entirety, I'm sorry. Read it in its entirety and call on Senator Hamilton.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Can I have some order in the house, please.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Legislative Resolution Number 4659, by Senator Hamilton, commemorating the Anniversary Celebration of the Birthday of the revered Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson.
"WHEREAS, The true architects of society and community are those individuals whose faith and unremitting commitment serve to sustain the spiritual and cultural values of life; the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, was surely such an individual; and
"WHEREAS, World Jewry is now celebrating the 114th birthday of the renowned and revered leader, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson; and
"WHEREAS, Serving over 44 years of dedicated leadership, Rabbi Schneerson established over 1,500 --
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Excuse me, Chris. {Gaveling.}
The Secretary will continue.
THE SECRETARY:-- "WHEREAS, serving over 44 years of dedicated leadership, Rabbi Schneerson established over 1,500 Lubavitch Centers, helping people of all walks of life throughout the world -- from Australia to Africa, from Holland to Argentina, and from Moscow to Jerusalem; and
"WHEREAS, Rabbi Schneerson's educational activities throughout the globe have enriched and strengthened the religious, educational, cultural, moral and ethical fibers of all citizens of the world; and
"WHEREAS, He was a remarkable and holy man who inspired millions of Jews and non-Jews to greater dedication, loyalty and commitment in all matters 'between man and G-d' and 'between man and man'; and
"WHEREAS, Rabbi Schneerson proclaimed the Redemption was on its way, and he called upon all citizens of the world to prepare with a personal commitment to increase all activities of goodness and kindness; and
"WHEREAS, A memorial reception will be held in the New York State Capitol on Monday, April 11, 2016, in tribute and remembrance of Rabbi Schneerson, the leading rabbi of his generation; and
"WHEREAS, This year, Tuesday, April 19, 2016, corresponding to 11 Nissan, 5776, the Rebbe's 114th birthday, to Wednesday, August 10, 2016, corresponding to 6 Av, 5776, will be celebrated as '114 Days of Education,' in tribute to the educational endeavors of this visionary leader and learned gentleman on behalf of all mankind; and
"WHEREAS, Throughout his purposeful journey of life, Rabbi Schneerson compiled, with dignity and grace, decades filled with philanthropic causes, humanitarian effort and astute Judaic leadership, justly earning the devotion of his followers and the admiration and respect of his fellow man; now, therefore, be it
"RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the traditional observance of the anniversary of the birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, and to recognize April 19, 2016, to August 10, 2016, as '114 Days of Education,' in tribute to the educational endeavors of the beloved Rebbe; and be it further
"RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization."
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Hamilton.
SENATOR HAMILTON:Mr. Chairman, I rise to pay homage to a great leader, a great spiritual leader, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson of the Lubavitch Orthodox Jewish Organization.
I want to thank Rabbi Butman for coming here to do an invocation from the Senate floor. Rabbi -- the Rebbe, as he's dearly called, affected millions of people throughout the world. As you mentioned before, we have shuls throughout the world spreading the word of the Chabad.
And I just want to say, when I went to Israel I saw the Rebbe's picture all over Israel. And people think that the Chabad Lubavitcher is Orthodox Jewish people, but they do fight for Israel. So I saw many of my young constituents from Crown Heights fighting in the military for the protection of Israel, to protect its God-given borders from enemies abroad.
I think everyone should go to Israel to see how all of Israel's borders have enemies. For me, it was shocking to see ISIS flags at the border in the Golan Heights. It was shocking for me to see young boys and girls playing in warehouses because they were fearful of seeing missiles coming from Gaza into Sderot.
So I just want to say the Rebbe's legacy is still present throughout the world. It's especially present in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where I represent. The Lubavitch have supported me from my first run for office. When I ran for the school board, the Lubavitch men supported me to become the president -- Mordechai Echouse {ph}, Stuart Balberg, Rabbi Abraham Flint, and Yakov Washul.
So I commend the Lubavitch community for believing in me and having me be the president of the school board. And we had the fifth best school in New York State, the Crown School for Law and Journalism.
When I went to Israel, I was surprised people who knew who I was. They knew more about me than David Green, because they kept saying "Senator, Senator, Senator." But I didn't realize that by going to a Shalom Zachar on Friday night before the circumcision of the young men, that I would be so widely known in Crown Heights, throughout Brooklyn and Israel.
Shalom Zachar is when a young boy, before he's circumcised, his family has a gathering and we break bread, we have festivities, and we usually have Scotch -- and no fights break out. So every Friday night I'm always going to a Shalom Zachar with my Lubavitch brothers and sisters in the Crown Heights community.
As you all know, we had the Crown Heights riots over 20 years ago, but since then we have formed an alliance of working together and we have created a blueprint that I wish all people could live with throughout the world. What was disturbing to me when I went to Israel is that I saw a man stabbed for no other reason than being Jewish. When we walked through the Holy City in Jerusalem, we had to walk with armed security for being attacked and being called Americans and called derogatory names.
So I commend the Lubavitch community for fighting for Israel with the young men and women from Brooklyn. And I commend the spirit of the Rebbe for being a man of vision, of foresight, and spreading love and harmony throughout the world.
Thank you.
RABBI BUTMAN:Thank you very much. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Stavisky.
SENATOR STAVISKY:Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Senator Hamilton, for sponsoring this resolution. And thank you, Rabbi Butman for coming to Albany as the face of the Lubavitchers.
About an hour ago I received an email from the one of the Chabad rabbis, whom I have known for a long time, and it explains the love and warmth of the Lubavitcher movement. It's not just about prayers. The email, which I guess other people received: "Are you joining us for wine and cheese? What's your favorite wine?"
This is an appeal to everybody -- not just Jewish people, not just observant people, but everybody. I have a number of Chabads in my district. This particular email message was from Rabbi Yossi Blesofsky, the rabbi of the Chabad of Northeast Queens. But I also have been to the Chabad of Rego Park with Rabbi Blokh. And we have a Chabad in Flushing, we have a Chabad at Queens College -- which I think is important, because they reach out to students.
I've had the pleasure of visiting a number of Chabads. And I think it was appropriate that we had some people here from Russia, because when I visited Russia with a number of my colleagues, what did we see? We saw the Chabad in St. Petersburg, the Chabad in Moscow, and the Chabad in Kazan, which is in the Republic of Tatarstan. And it's interesting, because they stay in touch with each other worldwide.
So I am proud to welcome the rabbi once again to Albany, and to honor the memory of Rabbi Schneerson. Ironically, my grandparents are buried in the same cemetery -- old Montefiore in Springfield Gardens, in Senator Comrie's district -- as the Rebbe. And every year during the period between -- in September, but usually between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we visit my grandparents' gravesite, and then we stop off -- but there's usually such a large crowd that we can't visit the Rebbe.
But again, I congratulate Senator Hamilton and thank my colleagues.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you, Senator Stavisky.
The resolution was previously adopted on April 6th of this year.
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Is there any -- oh, that's opened up for cosponsorship.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The resolution is open for cosponsorship. Should you choose not to be a cosponsor, please notify the desk.
There is no further business at the desk, Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I didn't even ask yet.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:You started to.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Okay. But thanks for anticipating.
In that case, I move to adjourn until Tuesday, April 12th, at 10:00 -- that is 10:00 a.m. -- tomorrow.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There will be an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee in Room 332.
And on motion, the Senate will stand adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, April 12th, at 10:00 a.m.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Thank you, Mr. President. But to clear up the record, they've been having the Finance Committee meeting since I announced it as "immediately" previous to this time.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you, Senator DeFrancisco.
On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, April 12th, at 10:00 a.m.
The Senate is adjourned.
(Whereupon, the Senate adjourned at 4:34 p.m.)
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