What's happening
This bill designates the County Route 19 overpass at the Long Island Expressway in Holbrook as the "Firefighter Gerard Patrick Schrang Memorial Bridge."
Why it matters
Honors a Fallen Firefighter. By naming the overpass after Gerard Patrick Schrang, a firefighter who died in the line of duty (notably on 9/11), the bill helps publicly honor and commemorate local heroes, reinforcing community values and collective memory.
Raises Public Awareness. The memorial bridge designation increases public recognition of first responders’ sacrifices, serving as a daily reminder to thousands of commuters and potentially fostering greater respect and support for emergency personnel.
Ceremonial Impact without Administrative Burden. The bill specifies that the change is ceremonial—signage will be updated, but the official highway name remains unchanged. This avoids logistical confusion for drivers, emergency services, and businesses relying on official maps and addresses.
Community Connection and Legacy. Naming public infrastructure after local figures can strengthen community identity and pride, connecting current and future residents with local history and acts of heroism.
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Who cares
New York State Department of Transportation
The commissioner would be responsible for installing and maintaining signs marking the memorial designation.
Holbrook residents and motorists
The bill would ceremonially designate the County Route 19 overpass at the Long Island Expressway as the Firefighter Gerard Patrick Schrang Memorial Bridge.
Businesses using the highway
The bill would preserve the highway’s official name to avoid confusion and limit possible disruption of commerce.
Headline styles
Name Bridge for Fallen Firefighter
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.571
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7077
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2020
Introduced by Sen. MARTINEZ -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of the state highway system as the "Firefighter Gerard Patrick Schrang Memorial Bridge"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 344-l to read as follows:
§ 344-l. Portion of the state highway system to be designated as the "Firefighter Gerard Patrick Schrang Memorial Bridge". All that portion of the state highway system constituting the county route nineteen overpass at the Long Island expressway in the hamlet of Holbrook, town of Brookhaven, county of Suffolk, shall be designated and known as the "Firefighter Gerard Patrick Schrang Memorial Bridge".
§ 2. The commissioner of transportation shall provide for the installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state highway system as designated pursuant to section one of this act. However, to avoid confusion and to limit any possible disruption of commerce, the designation called for pursuant to section one of this act shall be one of ceremonial nature and the official name of such highway shall not be changed as a result of this act.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14222-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of the state highway system as the "Firefighter Gerard Patrick Schrang Memorial Bridge"
Purpose
This legislation will memorialize Gerard Patrick Schrang by renaming a bridge in his honor.
Summary of provisions
I. Renames a portion of the state highway system
2. Allows the commissioner to install and maintain adequate signing
3. Effective Date
Justification
Gerard Patrick Schrang lived in Holbrook all his life. He followed in his father's footsteps by joining the Holbrook Fire Department in 1973. As a lifelong firefighter he rose in the ranks from Lieutenant to Chief in the Holbrook Fire Department over 17 years.
In 1981, Gerard joined the New York City Fire Department. There he served in various capacities, stationed with Engine Company 45, Engine Company 75, and Ladder Company 33. In 1998, Gerald transferred to an elite New York City rescue unit, Rescue Company 3. Rescue Company 3 reported to fires, emergencies and natural disasters in often dangerous situations in order to save lives.
As a member of Rescue Company 3, Gerard was called to duty on September 11, 2001. Ultimately, NYCFD saved thousands of individuals but Gerald died in the lined of duty. He is survived by his wife Denise, daughter Jaclyn, son Brian, mother Barbara, two brothers, and his sister. Gerard has two grandsons Reece and Logan whom he has never met. Memorializing this Holbrook bridge will recognize Gerald's important, selfless, life- long service to our community, New York State, and the Country.
Prior legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.