What's happening
This bill designates a bridge in Hempstead, Nassau County as the "Firefighter/EMT Michael J. Field Memorial Bridge."
Why it matters
Honoring a Local Hero. The bill publicly recognizes Firefighter/EMT Michael J. Field’s service and sacrifice, reinforcing the importance of first responders in the community and providing a visible, lasting tribute for his family and colleagues.
Community Identity and Remembrance. Naming a prominent local bridge after a fallen first responder helps foster community pride and collective memory, reminding residents and travelers alike of the individual’s contributions and the risks faced by emergency personnel.
Ceremonial Nature—No Disruption. The designation is explicitly ceremonial, meaning maps, official documents, and addresses will not change, thus avoiding confusion for residents, businesses, and emergency services that rely on consistent naming conventions.
State Support for Local Recognition. By involving the Department of Transportation in signage and maintenance, the state demonstrates support for local initiatives to honor public servants, potentially encouraging similar recognitions elsewhere.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Name Bridge for Fallen Hero
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Signed chap.199
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.338
- Substituted for A10703A
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.935
- Print number 8637a
- Amend and recommit to rules
Show 3 earlier actions
- Reported and committed to rules
- Committee discharged and committed to transportation
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Name Bridge for Fallen Firefighter
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Michaelle C. Solages
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8637--A
IN SENATE
June 26, 2020
Introduced by Sen. KAMINSKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules -- committee discharged and said bill committed to the Committee on Transportation -- reported favorably from said committee and committed to the Committee on Rules -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of the state highway system in Nassau county as the "Firefighter/EMT Michael J. Field 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/EMT Michael J. Field Memorial Bridge". The bridge on Corona Avenue, designated bridge number 1059360, in the town of Hempstead, county of Nassau, which crosses the Southern State Parkway, shall be designated and known as the "Firefighter/EMT Michael J. Field 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 bridge 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.
LBD16748-09-0
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 in Nassau county as the "Firefighter/EMT Micha- el J. Field Memorial Bridge"
Purpose
This bill relates to designating the bridge operating as a part of Southern State Parkway crossing as " Firefighter/EMT Michael J. Field Memorial Bridge"
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill amends the highway law by adding a new section to designate a bridge on Corona Avenue crossing the Southern State Park- way as the "Firefighter/EMT Michael J. Field Memorial Bridge"
Section two of the bill states 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.
Section three of the bill provides the effective date.
Justification
Michael J. Field, 59, was an active member of the Valley Stream Fire Department EMS since 1987. He was also highly involved in the community, serving as a Cub Scout pack leader, little league coach, and as the head adviser for the Valley Stream Junior Fire Department. Before his work with the local fire department, Field was an emergency medical techni- cian for the New York City Fire Department. While working for the FDNY, Field responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Field was at ground zero before and after the towers collapsed. He even operated on location after the towers fell, putting other people's health and safety before his own.
Field passed away from COVID-19 after contracting the virus during a response to a residence where the patient had a known case of the virus. Family and friends of Michael Field wish to honor his memory and service by designating a portion of the state highway system as the "Michael J. Field Memorial Bridge." We hope young people will learn the important lessons of sacrifice and commitment to others that his life represented.
Fiscal implications
This legislation would effectively have no fiscal impact on state and local governments. The New York State Department of Transportation would be required to develop signage to mark the bridge.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.