Honor Steven Stepniak's Retirement

Senate Resolution No. 530 BY: Senator KENNEDY COMMENDING Steven J. Stepniak upon the occasion of his retirement after 32 years of distinguished service to the City of Buffalo, Department of Public Works WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor those individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stature of the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Steven J. Stepniak upon the occasion of his retirement after 32 years of distinguished service to the City of Buffalo, Department of Public Works; he officially retired on February 1, 2019; and WHEREAS, For more than three decades, Steven J. Stepniak rendered faithful, conscientious and valuable service to the City of Buffalo, Department of Public Works, including 11 as Commissioner overseeing over

800 employees; and WHEREAS, Steven J. Stepniak was the longest-serving Commissioner of Public Works, Parks & Streets in Mayor Byron Brown's administration; and WHEREAS, He was instrumental in supervising the $6.22 million renovation of the former Dillon federal courthouse on Niagara Square as the new headquarters of the Buffalo Police Department and Buffalo Fire Department; and WHEREAS, Prior to his position with the Department of Public Works, in 1987, Steven J. Stepniak was employed with the city as a general laborer, and, over the years, he has worked many jobs within the department; and WHEREAS, This esteemed employee worked full time until his last day helping the City of Buffalo recover from a major snow storm; and WHEREAS, Steven J. Stepniak served with loyalty, honor and distinction, was governed by a keen sense of duty, and always showed a unique grasp of human problems; and WHEREAS, During his tenure with City of Buffalo, Department of Public Works, Steven J. Stepniak earned the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; and WHEREAS, While a student at McKinley High School and Canisius College, Steven J. Stepniak was a star baseball player; he played for two years with the Cleveland Indians organization before suffering a career-ending injury; due to his outstanding athleticism, he was inducted into the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Miriam, and their three children, Matthew, Blake and Michaela, as well as his mother, Regina and his father, the late Stanley, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and WHEREAS, It is the 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 honor Steven J. Stepniak upon the occasion of his retirement after 32 years of distinguished service; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Steven J. Stepniak.