Honor Firefighter Louis Sforza

Senate Resolution No. 2782 BY: Senator GOLDEN HONORING Louis A. Sforza, Sr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2017 Humanitarian Award by the Columbia Association of the New York City Fire Department on June 15, 2017 WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and indebted to our noble firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery every day in the course of their duties; and WHEREAS, Firefighters exemplify the power of human compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great country; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Louis A. Sforza, Sr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the

2017 Humanitarian Award by the Columbia Association of the New York City Fire Department, to be celebrated at its 83rd Annual Scholarship Dinner Dance on Thursday, June 15, 2017, at Russo's on the Bay, Howard Beach, New York; and WHEREAS, Louis A. Sforza, Sr. joined the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) on May 21, 1960; nine years later, he became the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) Staten Island Trustee, and would go on to serve on its Executive Board of Directors for the next 21 years; and WHEREAS, In 1973, Louis A. Sforza, Sr. held the title of Chairman of the UFA Board of Trustees, and then, in 1976, he was appointed to the position of Vice President, a role he served under four different UFA Presidents; throughout his tenure, he represented the UFA at the New York State Capitol in Albany, New York, where he was instrumental in passing notable legislation such as the Heart Bill, the Lung Bill, and the VSF law; and WHEREAS, Louis A. Sforza, Sr. was responsible for introducing the Voluntary Group Insurance program which has proven to be an enormous benefit, especially in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks; for a number of years, he also served as a District Vice President of the New York State Firefighters Association; and WHEREAS, In 1989, Louis A. Sforza, Sr. assumed the title of UFA President; this remarkable man has devoted over 43 years of service to this vital organization; and WHEREAS, Upon retiring from the FDNY after 31 years on the job, the UFA hired Louis A. Sforza, Sr. as a pension consultant; in this capacity, he prepares and presents various retirement seminars and offers firefighters individual consultations in order to help them through the retirement process; and WHEREAS, In addition, Louis A. Sforza, Sr. attends all Pension Board meetings where he assists the present UFA Trustees; he also served on the 1B Pension Board for 20 years, for some of which he held the title of First Vice Chairman; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been two sons, Louis, Jr. and Stephen; two daughters, Kathleen and Lorraine; eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, as well as his late wife of 55 years, Jeanette, all of whom have shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride, valor, and integrity; these respected public servants are often the first to respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill of hazardous materials; and WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; Louis A. Sforza, Sr. is such a firefighter; throughout 31 years of devoted service, he has heroically performed, above and beyond the call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire protection; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Louis A. Sforza, Sr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2017 Humanitarian Award by the Columbia Association of the New York City Fire Department on June 15, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Louis A. Sforza, Sr.