Honor Monsignor Romano Achievement

Senate Resolution No. 4414 BY: Senator GOLDEN COMMENDING Monsignor Robert J. Romano upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Detective Barney Ferguson Emerald Legacy Fund on May 31, 2018 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to bring full recognition and just tribute to those men and women of religious commitment who accept the responsibility of moral leadership and render the wisdom of human understanding; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Monsignor Robert J. Romano upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Detective Barney Ferguson Emerald Legacy Fund to be celebrated at its 4th Annual 10-13/May Day Event on Thursday, May

31, 2018, at Juliano's Restaurant in New Rochelle, New York; and WHEREAS, A man of singular distinction, Monsignor Robert J. Romano has continually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence, and diligent leadership in his unwavering service to his community and profession and consequently has been selected for this most prestigious honor; and WHEREAS, A native of Brooklyn, New York, Robert J. Romano earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Cathedral College in Douglaston, New York, and a Master of Divinity degree from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York; he also received his certification in Pastoral Counseling from the Post-Graduate center for Mental Health in New York City; and WHEREAS, On May 28, 1977, Robert J. Romano was ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Brooklyn, where he currently serves as Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, The Reverend Robert J. Romano began his long and distinguished career serving the needs of the uniformed, civilian and retired members of the department as well as their families as the Chaplain of both the Police Self Support Group and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Honor Legion; and WHEREAS, On October 13, 1998, Reverend Robert J. Romano was appointed Chaplain of the NYPD; in March of 2001, he was named the Department's Administrative Chaplain, as well as the Chaplain of the Brooklyn-Queens Holy Name and Regina Coeli Societies; in that same year, he became Chaplain of the Committee of Police Societies (COPS), the Columbia Association, Survivors of the Shield and the Deceased Officers Parents Group; and WHEREAS, Chaplain Robert J. Romano was a reassuring presence during the aftermath of the horrific terrorist attacks in New York City on

September 11, 2001; he responded to the World Trade Center about an hour after the collapse of the second tower, and from that day until mid-June of 2002, he celebrated Mass every Sunday, at the site, for members of the Emergency Service Unit, as well as the families of those missing; and WHEREAS, On August 29, 2002, former Commissioner Raymond Kelly promoted Chaplain Robert J. Romano as the first Deputy Chief Chaplain of the NYPD; he is also the Chaplain of several other law enforcement agencies as well as a host of police fraternal organizations; and WHEREAS, In March of 2007, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed Robert J. Romano a Chaplain to His Holiness with the title Monsignor; 10 years later, he was promoted by Commissioner James P. O'Neill to the newly created rank of Assistant Chief Chaplain; and WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment, guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has administered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Monsignor Robert J. Romano upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Detective Barney Ferguson Emerald Legacy Fund on May 31, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Monsignor Robert J. Romano.