Honor Lou Matarazzo’s Advocacy

Senate Resolution No. 3901 BY: Senator GOLDEN COMMENDING Lou Matarazzo, retired New York City Police officer and former New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President, for his tenacious advocacy on behalf of law enforcement and public employees spanning more than 50 years WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor those distinguished officers and citizens who would devote themselves to public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing for the care and welfare of the citizens of their communities and this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York there are certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication, merit the respect and admiration of their community for their exemplary contributions and service on behalf of others; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Lou Matarazzo, retired New York City Police Officer and former New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (PBA) President, for his tenacious advocacy on behalf of law enforcement and public employees spanning more than 50 years; and WHEREAS, To recognize his illustrious service, the New York State Association of PBAs established the Lou Matarazzo Distinguished Service Award in his honor; he will be saluted at a Cocktail Reception and Awards Ceremony on Monday, March 5, 2018, at the Cornerstone at the Plaza, Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, Lou Matarazzo served in the New York City Police Department for more than 35 years, and 32 of those years, he was an elected a representative of the New York City PBA, which represents more than

1977, he was elected to a full time position with the PBA, the largest police union in the United States; and WHEREAS, Over the subsequent 23 years, Lou Matarazzo held the position of Trustee, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Recording Secretary, Treasurer and President; during his tenure, he served on numerous labor-management committees, such as the Rules, the Grievance, and the Negotiating committees; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, he co-chaired the Police Merger Committee with then-Commissioner William Bratton, to ensure a smooth and successful merger of the NYC Transit and NYC Housing Police Department when they were merged into the NYPD; and WHEREAS, From 1978 until his retirement in 1998, Lou Matarazzo served on the multi-billion dollar Police Pension Board, which is charged with the prime fiduciary responsibility for police-related disabilities and the investment and management of pension funds; and WHEREAS, Lou Matarazzo is also on the Board of Directors of COP-SHOT, the program that offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone who shoots or shoots at an NYPD police officer or officers of various other departments, and served as Chairman of New York State Public Employee Conference of the State of New York, which has hundreds of thousands of members; and WHEREAS, After retiring from the NYPD, Lou Matarazzo became the Legislative Director of the Detectives' Endowment Association, Inc., the labor union of NYPD Detectives; today, he is also the Legislative Director for the Captains' Endowment Association, the Lieutenants' Benevolent Association, and the New York State Public Employee Conference; and WHEREAS, In his position as Legislative Director, Lou Matarazzo played a key role in the passage of laws that protect the health and welfare benefits of municipal workers who become ill due to their work related to the World Trade Center attacks and rescue and recovery efforts; and WHEREAS, A role model for public sector labor leaders, Lou Matarazzo was appointed to the Governor's 9/11 Workers Protection Task Force in

2006, which is specifically charged with investigating and recommending changes to the 9/11 Disability legislation, and serves as its Vice-Chairman; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those dedicated public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the preservation of order and the protection of others are worthy and due full praise for their commitment and noble endeavors; and WHEREAS, It is the further sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Lou Matarazzo, for his tenacious advocacy on behalf of law enforcement and public employees spanning more than 50 years; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Lou Matarazzo.