Honor Serphin Maltese with Medal

Senate Resolution No. 582 BY: Senator ADDABBO COMMENDING Serphin R. Maltese, upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this esteemed Body; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Serphin R. Maltese, upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, At the age of 17, Serphin R. Maltese enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves; upon completion of his military service, he earned his Bachelor of Arts from Manhattan College through the Regents Scholarship and the G.I. Bill; and WHEREAS, Serphin R. Maltese is a United States Army Veteran of the Korean War, serving in the 45th Infantry Division; he earned a War Service Scholarship and obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Juris Doctor (JD) from Fordham University School of Law; and WHEREAS, In 1963, Serphin R. Maltese was admitted to the New York State Bar Association and practiced before the United States Supreme Court; he served as Assistant District Attorney and Deputy Chief of the Homicide Bureau in Queens until 1988; and WHEREAS, In November of 1988, Serphin R. Maltese was elected to the New York State Senate where he served, with a record of perfect attendance, for 10 terms until December 31, 2008; during this time, he was Chairman of the Veterans, Consumer Protection, and Elections Committees to name a few; in 2006, he was the only Senate Majority Member from New York City on the Higher Education Committee; additionally, he served in the Senate Leadership as Vice Chairman of the Majority Conference; and WHEREAS, Active in his community, Serphin R. Maltese is a lifetime member of the American Legion, Catholic War Veterans, Korean War Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion's National Legislative Council; he also serves various organizations and boards besides advocating for veterans, senior citizens, and middle-class individuals; and WHEREAS, For his efforts to perpetuate the memory of Civil War veterans, Serphin R. Maltese received the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Merit Award and was named 2009 Veteran of the Year by the Allied Veterans of Greater Ridgewood and Glendale 71st Annual Memorial Day Parade Committee; and WHEREAS, Lifelong residents of Middle Village, Queens, Serphin R. Maltese and his late wife of 63 years, Constance Mary (Del Vecchio), were blessed with two daughters, Andrea and Leslie; and WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism, both at home and abroad, Serphin R. Maltese demonstrated his love for his country and merits forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended, and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for their dedication to their communities, their State, and their Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Serphin R. Maltese, upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Serphin R. Maltese.