TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2024 3:04 P.M.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE HOUSE WILL COME

TO ORDER.

IN THE ABSENCE OF CLERGY, LET US PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF

SILENCE.

(WHEREUPON, A MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED.)

VISITORS ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE MEMBERS IN THE PLEDGE

OF ALLEGIANCE.

(WHEREUPON, ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY LED VISITORS AND

MEMBERS IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.)

A QUORUM BEING PRESENT, THE CLERK WILL READ THE

JOURNAL OF MONDAY, JANUARY 15TH.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO

DISPENSE WITH THE FURTHER READING OF THE -- READING OF THE JOURNAL OF

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

MONDAY, JANUARY THE 15TH AND THAT THE SAME STAND APPROVED.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO

ORDERED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER. I'LL PROVIDE FOR US TODAY A QUOTE, AS WE USUALLY DO. THIS ONE

COMES FROM NONE OTHER THAN THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING.

HIS WORDS FOR US TODAY, "FORGIVENESS IS NOT AN OCCASIONAL ACT. IT IS A

PERMANENT ATTITUDE." AGAIN, THESE WORDS FROM THE REVEREND DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING.

MEMBERS HAVE ON THEIR DESK A MAIN CALENDAR. IT HAS

12 NEW BILLS IN IT. AND AFTER INTRODUCTIONS AND HOUSEKEEPING WE WILL

TAKE UP A PRIVILEGED RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF THE REVEREND DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING. THEN WE WILL TAKE UP A CALENDAR RESOLUTION

REGARDING THE KOREAN AMERICAN DAY WHICH IS SPONSORED BY MR. KIM

AND IT IS ON PAGE 3. WE WILL TAKE UP NEW BILLS ON THE CALENDAR

BEGINNING WITH PAGE 4 WITH CALENDAR -- ON PAGE 4 WITH CALENDAR NO.

211, GOING ALL THE WAY TO CALENDAR NO. 222. THEN WE'RE GOING TO

CONTINUE CONSENT FROM THE MAIN CALENDAR WHERE WE LEFT OFF LAST WEEK,

BEGINNING WITH CALENDAR NO. 33 ON PAGE 12. MEMBERS SHOULD ALSO BE

AWARE THAT THERE IS GONNA BE A NEED TO CALL A BANKING COMMITTEE OFF

THE FLOOR TODAY.

THAT'S THE GENERAL OUTLINE OF WHERE WE'RE GOING, MR.

SPEAKER. IF YOU HAVE HOUSEKEEPING OR INTRODUCTIONS, NOW WOULD BE A

GREAT TIME, SIR. THANK YOU.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: WE HAVE BOTH, MRS.

PEOPLES-STOKES, AND WE WILL START, ACTUALLY, WITH MRS. PEOPLE-STOKES.

AT THE REQUEST OF MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES, THE FOLLOWING

BILLS ARE RECOMMITTED BACK TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: CALENDAR

NO. 25, BILL A.742, BACK TO CODES; CALENDAR NO. 38, BILL NO.

A.1202-B TO WAYS AND MEANS; CALENDAR NO. 58, A.1963, BACK TO

WAYS AND MEANS; CALENDAR NO. 91, BILL A.3287, BACK TO WAYS AND

MEANS.

AT THE REQUEST OF THE SPONSOR, MR. JONES, CALENDAR

NO. 86, BILL NO. 3119-A, BACK TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION.

PURSUANT TO RULE II, SECTION 2, THE FOLLOWING BILLS ARE

RECOMMITTED BACK TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS AT THE

REQUEST OF THE CHAIR: CALENDAR NO. 046, BILL NO. A.1514; CALENDAR

NO. 109, BILL A.4039; CALENDAR NO. 175, BILL A.6203-A; CALENDAR NO.

193, BILL A.6812-B; CALENDAR NO. 196, A.7006-B; CALENDAR NO. 208,

A.7418-A.

PURSUANT TO RULE -- RULE III, SECTION 2, THE FOLLOWING

BILLS ARE COMMITTED BACK TO THE COMMITTEE ON CODES AT THE REQUEST OF

THE CHAIR: CALENDAR NO. 51, BILL NO. 1715; CALENDAR NO. 97, BILL NO.

3749; CALENDAR NO. 140, BILL NO. 5012; CALENDAR NO. 144, BILL NO.

5334; CALENDAR NO. 146, BILL NO. 5371; CALENDAR NO. 192, BILL NO.

6738.

PURSUANT TO RULE III, SECTION 2, THE FOLLOWING BILLS ARE

COMMITTED BACK TO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AT THE REQUEST OF THE

CHAIR: CALENDAR NO. 96, BILL NO. A.3729; CALENDAR NO. 165,

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

A.5848-C.

SIMILAR TO RULE NO. III, THE FOLLOWING BILLS ARE

COMMITTED BACK TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY AT THE REQUEST OF THE

CHAIR: CALENDAR NO. 59, BILL NO. A.1971; CALENDAR NO. 17, BILL NO.

A.5941.

PURSUANT TO RULE III, THE FOLLOWING BILLS ARE

RECOMMITTED BACK TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AT THE REQUEST

OF THE CHAIR: CALENDAR NO. 114, BILL NO. A.4089; CALENDAR NO. 179,

BILL NO. A.6284-A.

PURSUANT TO RULE III, THE FOLLOWING BILLS ARE

COMMITTED BACK TO THE COMMITTEE ON REAL PROPERTY TAXATION AT THE

REQUEST OF THE CHAIR: BILL NO. 118 -- CALENDAR NO. 118, BILL NO.

A.4245; CALENDAR NO. 77, BILL NO. A.2725.

PURSUANT TO RULE III, THE FOLLOWING BILL IS RECOMMITTED

TO THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AT THE REQUEST OF THE CHAIR: CALENDAR

NO. 181, BILL NO. A.6310-A.

ON A MOTION BY MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES, PAGE 18,

CALENDAR NO. 63, BILL NO. A.2151, AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND

ADOPTED.

ON A MOTION BY MS. ROSENTHAL, PAGE 23, CALENDAR

NO. 100, BILL NO. A.3798, AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

ON A MOTION BY MS. LEVENBERG, PAGE 36, CALENDAR

NO. 157, BILL NO. A.5656, AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

ON A MOTION BY MR. OTIS, PAGE 43, CALENDAR NO. 200,

BILL NO. A.7166, AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

FOR THE PURPOSES OF A INTRODUCTION, MS. SHIMSKY.

MS. SHIMSKY: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TO

INTRODUCE THE WOMEN'S LACROSSE TEAM FROM PACE UNIVERSITY IN

PLEASANTVILLE. THE PACE UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S LACROSSE TEAM IS THE

REIGNING NCAA DIVISION II WOMEN'S LACROSSE CHAMPIONS. THEY ALSO

HAVE THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE FIRST NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM FROM

WESTCHESTER COUNTY. APPEARING ON BEHALF OF THE TEAM TODAY IS THE

HEAD COACH, TRICIA MOLFETTA; THE ASSISTANT COACH, ROBERT MOLFETTA; AND

MEMBERS EMMA RAFFERTY, KAYLA CONWAY, SIDNEY JUVELIER, DELILAH

DOYLE, ANGELINA PORCELLO, ALEXANDRA QUINN, KATE LAICO, PAYTON

DURKIN, NIKKI MOTTES, ABBY O'CONNOR, AUDREY COLUCCI, ELIZABETH

KULO, SAMANTHA TANGUAY, ALEXANDRA WITUCKI, NATASHA FRANCHINA,

MADISON SCHUBERT, AND GIGI GENOVESE.

I ASK, MR. SPEAKER, THAT YOU WELCOME THEM AND

EXTEND THEM ALL THE COURTESIES OF THE FLOOR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

OF MS. SHIMSKY, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME YOU

HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY. WE COMMEND YOU GREAT

ATHLETES ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS. CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE HARD TO COME BY

AND WILL BE TREASURED, I'M SURE, FOR MOST OF YOUR LIFE. CONTINUE THOSE

WINNING WAYS IN YOUR LIFE, CONTINUE THE WORK THAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING,

COMPLETE YOUR SCHOOLING, AND REMEMBER YOU WILL ALWAYS BE WELCOME

HERE IN ALBANY. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

(APPLAUSE)

MS. RAJKUMAR.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

MS. RAJKUMAR: MR. SPEAKER, TODAY I AM PROUD TO

INTRODUCE TO THIS BODY MR. AVI POSNICK. AVI POSNICK IS THE REGIONAL

DIRECTOR OF STANDWITHUS, AN ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS ISRAEL AND

FIGHTS ANTI-SEMITISM AROUND THE WORLD. STANDWITHUS BELIEVES THAT

EDUCATION IS THE ROAD TO PEACE, AND AVI POSNICK EMBODIES THAT BELIEF.

I HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED THE TIRELESS -- TIRELESS EFFORTS OF MR.

POSNICK TO COMBAT ALL FORMS OF HATE. WHEN THE HINDU COMMUNITY

SUFFERED A HATE CRIME IN MY RICHMOND HILL DISTRICT, AVI STOOD WITH THE

COMMUNITY, ADDING DIVERSITY AND STRENGTH TO OUR COALITION. OUR

COALITION WAS SO STRONG THAT EVEN THE WHITE HOUSE TOOK NOTICE, AND

MR. POSNICK'S UNWAVERING, FULL-HEARTED SUPPORT HELPED MAKE THIS

HAPPEN. MR. POSNICK HAS DEDICATED HIS CAREER TO BUILDING BRIDGES WITH

ALL COMMUNITIES. HE COURAGEOUSLY IMMERSES HIMSELF IN OTHER CULTURES,

BUILDING BRIDGES OF PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING IN QUEENS, NEW YORK,

AND ACROSS THE NORTHEAST. HIS ORGANIZATION, STANDWITHUS, ENGAGES

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND OVER A BILLION PEOPLE ONLINE.

HIS EFFORTS TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND FOSTER INCLUSION ARE NEEDED IN

THE WORLD NOW MORE THAN EVER TO END HATE OF ALL FORMS, INCLUDING

ANTI-SEMITISM, ISLAMAPHOBIA, AND ANTI-ASIAN HATE CRIMES. HIS WORK TO

EDUCATE AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER IS AN INSPIRATION. HE IS A PROUD

GRADUATE OF YESHIVA UNIVERSITY AND RAMBAM HIGH SCHOOL.

SO LET US ALL WISH HIM WELL IN HIS TIRELESS EFFORTS TO

END HATE AND BRING PEACE TO THIS WORLD. MR. SPEAKER, PLEASE EXTEND TO

HIM ALL THE COURTESIES AND PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

OF MS. RAJKUMAR, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME YOU

HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY. WE EXTEND TO YOU THE

PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR. OUR CONGRATULATIONS ON THE MARVELOUS WORK

THAT YOU'RE DOING, AND PARTICULARLY FOR BEING HERE IN THIS DIFFICULT DAY,

DIFFICULT WEATHER, BUT ALSO BECAUSE WE CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING'S

BIRTHDAY TODAY HERE IN THE NEW YORK ASSEMBLY AND, CLEARLY, YOU ARE

CONTRIBUTING TO WHAT HE CALLED THE BELOVED COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO

VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE, CONTINUE THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING.

THANK YOU.

(APPLAUSE)

FOR THE PURPOSES OF A INTRODUCTION, MS. LEE.

MS. LEE: IN RECOGNITION OF KOREAN-AMERICAN DAY, I

-- IT IS MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE TWO KOREAN-AMERICANS, CURRENT LEADING

ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO CRITICAL WORK TO SUPPORT THE KOREAN-AMERICAN

COMMUNITY IN NEW YORK. PLEASE WELCOME KWANG S. KIM, THE

ORIGINAL FOUNDER AND HEAD OF KOREAN COMMUNITY SERVICES, AND NOW

THE PRESIDENT OF THE KOREAN-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF GREATER NEW

YORK. UNDER PRESIDENT KIM'S LEADERSHIP, KAAGNY IS CURRENTLY THE

LARGEST KOREAN-AMERICAN ORGANIZATION IN NEW YORK, PROVIDING

SERVICES, RESOURCES, AND REPRESENTATION TO OVER 500,000

KOREAN-AMERICANS ACROSS THE NEW YORK AREA. PLEASE ALSO WELCOME

YUNSUK JUNG, PRESIDENT OF THE KOREAN ASSOCIATION OF ALBANY, OR

KAA, AN ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS KOREANS LIVING IN ALBANY AND

ENSURES THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF THIS COMMUNITY ARE BEING MET.

THANK YOU.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

OF MS. LEE, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME BOTH OF

THESE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMEN HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY.

WE COMMEND YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. WE HOPE THAT YOU

WILL CONTINUE THAT WORK AND CONTINUE TO REPRESENT YOUR COMMUNITIES IN

THE WAY THAT YOU HAVE. WE UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT SOMETIMES THE

WORLD CAN BE, BUT WE KNOW THAT YOU'RE UP TO THAT TASK AND WILL

CONTINUE THIS GREAT WORK. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

(APPLAUSE)

MR. KIM FOR THE PURPOSES OF A INTRODUCTION.

MR. KIM: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. IT'S AN HONOR

AND PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO INTRODUCE THE KOREAN CONSULATE GENERAL IN

NEW YORK, CONSULATE GENERAL KIM EUY WHAN, WHO TOOK OFFICE IN

DECEMBER 2022. HE IS HERE WITH ME TO CELEBRATE THE 121ST

ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST KOREAN IMMIGRANTS TO THE UNITED

STATES. WE WILL BE PASSING A RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THIS MOMENT LATER

TODAY, WHICH WE CELEBRATE ON JANUARY 13TH EVERY SINGLE YEAR. THE

PREVIOUS GUEST HAD A TREMENDOUS EVENT TO CELEBRATE KOREAN-AMERICANS

THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW YORK OVER THE WEEKEND. AND FOR ME, IT'S

-- IT'S ALSO AN -- IT'S ALSO A TREMENDOUS MOMENT FOR -- TO CELEBRATE

KOREAN-AMERICANS, AS THIS WEEKEND I LOST A GREAT KOREAN-AMERICAN,

MY FATHER, TO ME WHO WAS PERHAPS THE GREATEST KOREAN-AMERICAN THAT

-- THAT I'VE KNOWN. AND HE RESEMBLES SO MUCH OF WHAT THESE

ORGANIZATIONS' VALUES REPRESENT; HARD-WORKING, RESILIENT, JUST NEVER SAY

NEVER KIND OF ATTITUDE. NOT -- NOT THE K-POP, THE K-DRAMA KOREAN

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

NETFLIX THAT WE SEE THESE DAYS. BUT BEHIND ALL THAT SUCCESS WE SEE

AMONG KOREAN-AMERICANS THERE WERE PEOPLE LIKE MY FATHER WHO CAME

FROM NOTHING, IN POVERTY AND STRUGGLED THEIR WAY TO THIS COUNTRY TO LIVE

A BETTER LIFE, AND WITHOUT THEM WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE KOREA AND THE

KOREAN-AMERICANS TODAY.

SO IN RECOGNITION OF PEOPLE LIKE MY DAD, I'D ALSO -- I

ALSO DEDICATE THIS RESOLUTION LATER TODAY TO MY FATHER, WHO I ALWAYS

THOUGHT ABOUT WHEN I PASS THIS RESOLUTION EVERY YEAR. BUT IT'S A

TREMENDOUS HONOR TO BE JOINED BY VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN OUR

COMMUNITY AS WE CELEBRATE KOREAN-AMERICANS AND THE

KOREAN-AMERICAN RESOLUTION TODAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND PLEASE

WELCOME THE GUESTS TO THE CHAMBER, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. CONSULATE

GENERAL, ON BEHALF OF MR. KIM, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE

WELCOME YOU HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY. WE EXTEND TO

YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR. OUR REAL THANKS FOR YOU JOINING US ON

TODAY, AND WE HOPE THAT THIS TRIP IS BENEFICIAL AND THAT IT EXPANDS

UNDERSTANDING OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KOREA AND THE UNITED STATES

AND NEW YORK SPECIFICALLY. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE,

MAKE SURE THAT YOU TRAVEL SAFE TODAY. THANK YOU.

(APPLAUSE)

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 739, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 738, MR.

KIM [SIC].

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM JANUARY 13TH, 2024 AS KOREAN-AMERICAN

DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER. I RISE VERY HONORED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THIS RESOLUTION THAT

HAS BEEN INTRODUCED BY OUR SPEAKER HEASTIE TO HONOR THE 39TH ANNUAL

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING. THIS

GENTLEMAN HAS LEFT SO MUCH FOR US IN TERMS OF HISTORY THAT SOMETIMES

WE FORGET THAT HE WAS ACTUALLY -- WAS A REVEREND AND HE ACTUALLY DID --

HE ACTUALLY DID PREACH THE GOSPEL. BUT WE ALSO KNOW, MR. SPEAKER,

THAT WHEN HE WAS ASSASSINATED, HE WAS ON A TASK THAT MANY OF US TAKE

EVERY DAY, AND THAT'S IN SUPPORT OF LABOR. HE WAS IN SUPPORTING

GARBAGE WORKERS. AND SOMETIMES WHEN WE THINK ABOUT IT, A LOT OF

PEOPLE DON'T EVEN NECESSARILY WANT TO BE AROUND PEOPLE WHO WORK

WITH GARBAGE. BUT DR. KING WAS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS, MUCH LIKE

OUR CREATOR WAS NOT. AND SO IN HIS QUEST TO SEE PEOPLE GET A FAIR AND

LIVING WAGE, HE WAS AT A HOTEL WHERE HE WAS ASSASSINATED AT. BUT HIS

LEGACY IS SO STRONG AND SO BOLD THAT YOU MAY HAVE KILLED THE MAN, BUT

YOU CAN'T KILL HIS LEGACY. AND MAYBE SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT HIS DREAM

WILL NEVER BE REALIZED, BUT I HAPPEN TO NOT BELIEVE THAT. I THINK THAT HIS

DREAM WILL ONE DAY BE REALIZED. AND IN SPITE OF WHAT WE SEE TODAY IN

AMERICAN POLITICS, I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE GONNA GET PAST WHERE WE ARE

TODAY AND WE'RE GONNA GET TO THAT TIME AND SPACE WHEN WE DO ALL

HONOR THE CONSTITUTION, WE DO ALL HONOR THE WORDS THAT WE SAY WHEN

WE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, AND WE HONOR THE FOUNDING FATHERS

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

OF THIS COUNTRY WHO, QUITE HONESTLY, SAID THAT JUST -- JUSTICE WAS FOR

EVERYBODY, NOT JUST FOR SOME. AND SO DR. KING SPOKE VIVIDLY ABOUT

THAT, AND I BELIEVE THAT DAY WILL COME. I KNOW IT'S HARD TO SEE

SOMETIMES, BUT IT'S COMING AND I LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

SO AGAIN, I'M HONORED TO STAND IN SUPPORT OF HONORING

THIS GREAT MAN. AFTER 39 YEARS WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS AS A COUNTRY, MR.

SPEAKER, AND WE CANNOT DO IT TOO -- TOO LONG. I HAVE A 14-MONTH-OLD

GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER, AND IT WAS A PLEASURE THE OTHER DAY TO READ TO HER

A CHILDREN'S BOOK ABOUT THE STORY OF THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER

KING. THIS IS A LEGACY THAT CAN'T BE STOPPED, IT HAS TO BE ALLOWED TO

CONTINUE. SO WHAT A GREAT HONOR TO BE IN THIS GREAT BODY AND HONOR

THE LEGACY OF THIS GREAT MAN. THANK YOU, SIR.

(APPLAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. CUNNINGHAM ON

THE RESOLUTION.

MR. CUNNINGHAM: MR. SPEAKER, ON THE

RESOLUTION.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON THE RESOLUTION.

MR. CUNNINGHAM: TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR,

I CELEBRATED TWO MAJOR MILESTONES IN MY LIFE. ONE WAS MY 39TH

BIRTHDAY, WHICH ISN'T A MILESTONE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT IN THE

CONTEXT OF WHAT WE CELEBRATE AS MILESTONES, USUALLY 40, 50 AND OTHER

NUMBERS. BUT 39 YEARS WAS THE EXACT NUMBER OF YEARS THAT DR. KING

WAS WITH US, AND AS THE MAJORITY LEADER INDICATED, TODAY IS 39 YEARS

SINCE THE CELEBRATION OF DR. KING'S BIRTHDAY.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

THE OTHER MILESTONE THAT I CELEBRATED LAST YEAR WAS THE

BIRTH OF MY SON. AND I THINK FOR ANYONE WHO UNDERSTOOD WHAT DR.

KING'S DREAM WAS ABOUT, IT JUST WASN'T FOR THE GENERATION THAT WAS, IT

WAS ABOUT THE GENERATION THAT WAS TO COME. SO AS WE CELEBRATE TODAY

DR. KING'S LEGACY TODAY, AS WE STAND IN THIS CHAMBER AND GIVE HONOR

TO HIM, I THINK THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE SURE THAT

FUTURE GENERATIONS HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AND VALUES THAT DR. KING

FOUGHT FOR. THE SAME RIGHTS AND VALUES THAT WE FIGHT FOR EVERY YEAR IN

SESSION. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS SESSION FOR AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO

NOT JUST HONOR DR. KING WITH OUR WORDS CEREMONIALLY, BUT TO MAKE SURE

WE HONOR DR. KING WITH OUR DEEDS.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

(APPLAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. DARLING ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MS. DARLING: AS THE FIRST SPELMAN WOMAN EVER

ELECTED TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY, DR. KING IS MORE THAN JUST A

LEADER TO ME, HE IS MY MOREHOUSE BROTHER. AND THE RICH LEGACY OF OUR

INSTITUTIONS, SPELMAN AND MOREHOUSE, ARE CENTERED AROUND FIGHTING TO

SHIFT THE WORLD TOWARDS PROGRESS AND EQUITY. AND I WANT TO SAY THAT IT'S

BEEN A GREAT HONOR FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS TO FIGHT ALONG SIDE ALL OF YOU

TOWARDS PROGRESS AND EQUITY, AND I ASK THAT WE KEEP DR. KING'S SPIRIT IN

OUR HEART AS WE ENGAGE WITH EACH OTHER AND AS WE PUSH NEW YORK

FORWARD.

THANK YOU.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

(APPLAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. BICHOTTE

HERMELYN.

MS. BICHOTTE HERMELYN: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER, FOR -- FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON THIS VITAL RESOLUTION THAT

PAYS TRIBUTE TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., HONORING MARTIN LUTHER

KING JR.'S DAY. THE HOLIDAY WAS ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED IN 1963 AS A

FEDERAL HOLIDAY, MARKING HIS BIRTHDAY OF DR. KING, WHICH WAS ACTUALLY

YESTERDAY, JANUARY 15TH. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., ONE OF OUR WORLD'S

GREATEST HEROES AND ADVOCATES FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND EQUALITY FOR ALL

WOULD HAVE TURNED 95 YESTERDAY HAD HIS LIFE HAD NOT ENDED IN

ASSASSINATION. WE CANNOT FORGET THE GREAT BRAVERY AND LEADERSHIP DR.

KING EXUDED WHEN CONFRONTING INJUSTICES AND IN FIGHTING NONVIOLENT

PROTESTS THROUGHOUT THE 1950S AND THE 1960S AS PART OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS

MOVEMENT, SUCH AS THE [SIC] MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE WHERE HE HAD

TRAVELED TO LEAD A RALLY OF SANITATION WORKERS, STRIKING AGAINST POOR

WORKING CONDITIONS; LEADING THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT WHICH WAS

IN RESPONSE TO THE FAMOUS OF ARREST OF ROSA PARKS; DIRECTING THE

BIRMINGHAM CAMPAIGN, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN ONE OF THE MOST RACIALLY-

DIVIDED CITIES IN AMERICA AT THE TIME AND BEING INSTRUMENTAL IN THE

MARCH OF WASHINGTON, ONE OF THE LARGEST POLITICAL RALLIES OF HUMAN

RIGHTS IN HISTORY WITH OVER 250,000 PARTICIPANTS. IN 1963, DR. KING

DELIVERED THE INFAMOUS "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH, WHICH WAS

RESPONSIBLE FOR FUELING THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, GIVING HOPE TO

MANY IN ONE OF THOSE DARKEST TIMES IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

ENACTED BY CONGRESS IN 1994, MLK DAY OF SERVICE

CALLED TO INDIVIDUALS TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES, BRIDGE DIVIDES,

REMOVE BARRIERS, AND BRING PEOPLE OF ALL DIFFERENT MINDS TOGETHER TO

MOVE US CLOSER TO DR. KING'S VERSION OF A BELOVED COMMUNITY. ON THIS

DESIGNATED FEDERAL HOLIDAY HONORING MARTIN LUTHER KING, NAMESAKE IS

NOT ONLY ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO REMEMBER DR. KING'S LEGACY, BUT TO

USE THIS DAY TO -- TO CARE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY NEIGHBORS IN

NEED.

THANK YOU AGAIN, MR. SPEAKER. AS I END THIS

RESOLUTION WITH DR. KING'S GUIDING WORDS IN THE NAME OF SERVICE,

EVERYBODY CAN BE GREAT BECAUSE EVERYBODY CAN SERVE. YOU ONLY NEED

A HEART FULL OF GRACE, A SOUL GENERATED BY LOVE. THANK YOU.

(APPLAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER ZACCARO: MR. AUBRY ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MR. AUBRY: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I APPRECIATE

THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS RESOLUTION. SO VERY FEW OF US HERE IN

THIS ROOM HAVE BEEN IN A PLACE WHERE YOU HAD TO DRINK FROM A SEPARATE

WATER FOUNTAIN, OR THAT YOU HAD TO BE SEATED AT A SEPARATE PLACE IN A

MOVIE THEATER. THAT YOUR RIGHTS AS A CITIZEN WERE ABRIDGED. THAT YOU

WERE NOT CONSIDERED IN SOME PARTS TO EVEN BE FULLY A CITIZEN, YOU WERE

SOME PORTION OF A CITIZEN. SOME OF US REMEMBER THOSE DAYS, SOME OF

US STILL HAVE LIVED THOSE DAYS. I HAVE LIVED THOSE DAYS AS A YOUNGSTER IN

THE SOUTH. AND THE MEANING OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, I -- YOU

KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT IT, IT'S ABOUT HIS GREATNESS,

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

HIS JOYS, THE TACTICS THAT HE USED TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF THIS NATION, TO

CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE WORLD, QUITE FRANKLY, SO MUCH THAT HE

OBVIOUSLY GOT THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE, AND HE DID IT IN A RELATIVELY SHORT

PERIOD OF TIME. BUT FOR ME, WHAT IT MEANT WAS THE REAFFIRMATION OF MY

HUMANITY. BECAUSE IN AMERICA IN THAT DARK DAYS, MY HUMANITY AND

THE HUMANITY OF THOSE OF MY COLOR WAS DENIED. AND IT IS

EXTRAORDINARY, QUITE FRANKLY, TO HAVE LIVED THAT LIFE AND NOW LIVE THIS

LIFE. LAST WEEK, WE STOOD AND SAW AT THE ROSTRUM THE LEADERS OF THIS

STATE, A GOOD PORTION OF THEM AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND WOMEN; TWO

REALITIES THAT WERE DENIED MY PARENTS AND MY PARENTS' FRIENDS AND

NEIGHBORS AND RELATIVES. IT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY THAT THIS COUNTRY

HAS GONE ON. EXTRAORDINARY THAT IT HAS ENCOMPASSED PEOPLE OF ALL

RACES, THAT THE FREEDOM THAT DR. KING WON FOR US HAS EXTENDED ACROSS

THE WORLD, ACROSS THIS NATION. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SHAKES ME

NOW IS THE SENSE THAT IT'S NOT GUARANTEED. AND I THINK DR. KING

UNDERSTOOD THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE FOR FREEDOM, EVER, AND THAT THE

STRUGGLE TO CONTINUE THAT AND EXPAND THAT IS FOREVER PRESENT.

AND SO I STAND TODAY TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS GREATNESS,

HIS IMPORTANCE, BUT ALSO THE VISION THAT HE GAVE US. HE SAID WE WOULD

GET THERE. HE MIGHT NOT GET THERE, MAYBE I WILL NOT GET THERE, BUT WE

WILL GET THERE ONE DAY. AND THAT IS WHAT THE HOPE THAT OUR PEOPLE WALK

WITH, THAT WE HOLD ONTO, THAT WE FIGHT SO DESPERATELY FOR. BECAUSE THAT

FREEDOM THAT IS EMBODIED IN WHAT OUR CONSTITUTION AND OUR LAWS SAY IS

WHAT DROVE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO COME HERE, AND ARE

DRIVING PEOPLE TODAY TO COME HERE FOR PERSONAL FREEDOM, FOR ECONOMIC

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

FREEDOM, FOR THE ABILITY TO DO BETTER FOR THEIR CHILDREN THAN THEY LIVED

THEMSELVES.

AND SO I HOPE THAT WE DON'T JUST PASS OVER AND THEN

THINK IT'S ALL ABOUT USING A TACTIC, IT'S ABOUT THE SPIRIT OF THIS COUNTRY.

IT'S ABOUT THE SPIRIT OF THIS COUNTRY AS IT IS EMBODIED IN THE DOCUMENTS

THAT GUIDE US. AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DR. KING, FOR MAKING THIS

DAY POSSIBLE AND YOU, MY COLLEAGUES, FOR LIVING THAT DREAM. THANK

YOU.

(APPLAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER ZACCARO: MS. CHANDLER-

WATERMAN.

MS. CHANDLER-WATERMAN: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER, ON THE RESOLUTION. I'M HONORED TO SHARE MY BIRTHDAY WITH THE

HONORABLE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AS WE HONOR AND

CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. KING ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS

95TH BIRTHDAY, HE REMAINS A BEACON OF HOPE AND A TIRELESS ADVOCATE FOR

SOCIAL JUSTICE, INSPIRING US TO CONTINUE THE PURSUIT OF EQUALITY AND

COMPASSION. I REFECT ON HIS WISDOM, HIS UNITY, AND LOVE. HE HAD

PAVED THE WAY FOR US, AND WE CAN HONOR HIS LEGACY BY REFLECTING ON HIS

ACTIONS AND HIS WORDS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES WE FIGHT ON. I WANT TO

HIGHLIGHT A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS WE ARE FACING; GUN VIOLENCE. IN HIS

WORDS, NONVIOLENCE MEANS AVOIDING NOT ONLY EXTERNAL PHYSICAL

VIOLENCE, BUT ALSO INTERNAL BALANCE OF SPIRIT. YOU SHOULD NOT ONLY

REFUSE TO SHOOT A MAN, BUT REFUSE TO HATE HIM.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

REPRESENTING DISTRICT 58 ENCOMPASSING EAST FLATBUSH,

PARTS OF CANARSIE, BROWNSVILLE AND CROWN HEIGHTS, I'M KEENLY AWARE

OF THE PRESSING ISSUE OF GUN VIOLENCE THAT'S TAKEN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE,

OUR LIVES, OUR SAFETY, OUR MENTAL HEALTH. AND WITHIN THE 67TH PRECINCT

THAT REPRESENTS MY DISTRICT, IT HAS THE HIGHEST GUN VIOLENCE RATE. I

PLEDGE TO MY COMMUNITY'S COMMITMENT TO ACTIVATE, ADDRESS THE

CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE. TO HONOR THIS COMMITMENT, I ESTABLISHED A

TASK FORCE TO ENCOMPASS THE WE SPIRIT OF ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER IN

UNITY, AS THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HAD IMPRESSED ON

US. REGRETTABLY, WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE. OUR MOTHERS, OUR

FATHERS, OUR FAMILIES ARE STILL CRYING.

IN THE WISE WORDS OF DR. KING, LOVE DRIVES OUT HATE. I

URGE US ALL TO CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A FUTURE THAT'S FREE OF

(INAUDIBLE) VIOLENCE, GUN VIOLENCE. REMEMBER, UNITY, LOVE, HUMANITY,

COMPASSION. IT'S -- WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. IT'S NOT AN "I" TEAM, IT'S A

"WE" TEAM. LET'S CONTINUE THE FIGHT. THANK YOU.

(APPLAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER ZACCARO: ON THE RESOLUTION,

MS. SHRESTHA.

MS. SHRESTHA: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AS

HOSPITALS AND SUNYS FACE THREATS OF CLOSURE, CORPORATE UTILITIES

INCREASED THEIR RATES AND EVICTIONS RISE BY RECORD NUMBERS, I WANT TO

HONOR THE MEMORY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING TODAY BY REMINDING

OURSELVES THAT WE, TOO, ARE HERE TO HAVE A DREAM. THAT ALBANY MUST BE

A PLACE WHERE DREAMS COME TO LIVE AND NOT WHERE DREAMS COME TO DIE.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

I DREAM OF A NEW YORK WHERE NO CORNER IS WITHOUT PUBLIC TRANSIT, NO

HOSPITAL IS WITHOUT SAFE STAFFING, NO PERSON IS WITHOUT HOME AND HEALTH

CARE, NO PUBLIC SCHOOL IS IN NEED, NO WORKER IS UNDERPAID AND

OVERWORKED, AND NO PROFITS ARE MADE OFF OF ESSENTIAL NEEDS. TO SAY

THAT YOU HAVE A DREAM IS TO MAKE A DECLARATION OF HOPE, AS DR. KING

DID. A DECLARATION THAT YOU WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE

MAKING OF THE FUTURE. IN HIS HONOR, AS WE FIND OURSELVES WALKING

THROUGH A WORLD WHERE FEAR, HATRED AND DIVISION REIGN, I INVITE YOU TO

TAKE YOUR EVERY STEP FROM A PLACE OF HOPE, IMAGINATION AND SOLIDARITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

(APPLAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER ZACCARO: ON THE RESOLUTION,

MS. RAJKUMAR.

MS. RAJKUMAR: SIXTY-ONE YEARS AGO, THE

REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DELIVERED HIS "I HAVE A DREAM"

SPEECH WHICH GALVANIZED THE NATION. AND IN IT, OF COURSE, WERE THE

FAMOUS WORDS, "I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY THE SONS OF FORMER SLAVES

AND THE SONS OF FORMER SLAVE OWNERS WILL SIT DOWN TOGETHER AT THE TABLE

OF BROTHERHOOD. I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY, MY FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN

WILL LIVE IN A NATION WHERE THEY WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF THEIR

SKIN, BUT BY THE CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER." A FEW YEARS AFTER HE

DELIVERED THIS SPEECH, MY PARENTS IMMIGRATED TO THIS COUNTRY FROM

INDIA TO SHARE IN THE DREAM, AND IT IS TRUE THAT NOW THE

INDIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY,

THEY SHARE A FIGHT, AND THEY SHARE IN THE STRUGGLE TO REALIZE THAT DREAM.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

AND, IN FACT, REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING SAID THAT INDIA'S

GANDHI IS THE GUIDING LIGHT OF MY MOVEMENT FOR NONVIOLENT SOCIAL

CHANGE, AND GANDHI WAS ACTUALLY HIS INSPIRATION FOR THE MONTGOMERY

BUS BOYCOTTS.

I'M PROUD TO STAND BEFORE YOU AS THE FIRST INDIAN

WOMAN ELECTED IN THIS STATE, AND I'M SO PROUD TO SEE THAT THE TWO

COMMUNITIES ARE NOW JOINED TOGETHER IN THIS STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY UNTIL

WE FINALLY REALIZE THAT DREAM. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

(APPLAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. WALKER ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MS. WALKER: GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. SPEAKER. IT

BRINGS ME GREAT PLEASURE, BUT IT'S ALSO, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE EUPHORIC

BECAUSE YESTERDAY BEING DR. KING'S ACTUAL BIRTHDAY, AND THE FEDERAL

HOLIDAY WHERE WE CELEBRATE HIS LEGACY, IT WAS ALSO MY MOM'S 79TH

HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY. AND SO IT GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT ON A

NUMBER OF THINGS, INCLUDING THAT TIME WHEN I SAID TO MY MOM, DO YOU

KNOW THAT THERE WERE THESE FREEDOM RIDES THAT USED TO PICK PEOPLE UP

IN THE SOUTH AND TAKE THEM TO OTHER PLACES? LIKE, THIS WAS AMAZING.

MOM, DID YOU EVER GO ON ONE OF THOSE? SHE SAID, OH, THAT'S WHAT THEY

WERE CALLED, FREEDOM RIDES? IT WAS JUST A GREYHOUND BUS STOP THAT

WAS DOWNTOWN AND WHEN THE BUS CAME, WE ALL GOT ON. AND SO WHO

KNEW THAT, YOU KNOW, MY MOM, BEING A YOUNG PERSON AT THAT TIME IN

THE SOUTH, WAS JUST AS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AS

MANY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE TODAY, AND MANY OTHER RESPECTIVE FIGHTS THAT

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

WE FACE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES. IT REMINDS ME THAT, YOU KNOW, IT

MAY HAVE TAKEN OVER 400 YEARS FOR US TO GET TO THIS POINT, BUT THE

FREEDOMS THAT WE ENJOY WILL TAKE AN ETERNITY FOR US TO PROTECT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT TO REFLECT ON IS WHY

FREEDOM ISN'T FREE. SOME OF OUR GREATEST MINDS HAVE PONDERED WHAT IT

MEANS TO BE FREE. MORE TO THE POINT, WE'VE HAD COURAGEOUS LEADERS FOR

CENTURIES OFFER THEIR OWN REMEDIES TO THE CONDITIONS THAT HAVE PLAGUED

OUR PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE BARBARITY OF SLAVERY, LYNCHING, RAPE, FORCED

SEGREGATION, REDLINING, VOTER SUPPRESSION, POLICE BRUTALITY, WAGE

DISCRIMINATION, MASS INCARCERATION, HEALTH CARE INEQUALITY, AND ALL THE

INSIDIOUS TENTACLES OF THIS SOUL-DRAINING CANCER WE CALL RACIAL HATRED

THAT STILL TILL THIS DAYS ROBS MANY OF US OF OUR FREEDOM. YOU SEE, SOME

OF US THINK THAT SLAVERY ENDED WITH THE SIGNING OF THE EMANCIPATION

PROCLAMATION ON JANUARY 1ST, 1863. SOME THINK IT ENDED WITH THE

RATIFICATION OF THE 13TH AMENDMENT IN 1865. REAL TALK, SLAVERY WAS

ABOLISHED EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF PUNISHMENT FOR A CRIME, AND THAT

MEANS THAT MORE THAN ONE MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, MORE OF

THEM LOOK LIKE YOU AND ME, WHO ARE WORKING BEHIND BARS, PRISON

WALLS, AND EARNING AN AVERAGE OF 13 TO 52 CENTS AN HOUR. SOME STATES

DON'T PAY INCARCERATED PEOPLE AT ALL, AND GUESS WHAT? THAT IS SLAVERY.

ON THAT NOTE, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF BILLS THAT WE

SUPPORT HERE, ONE WHICH PROVIDES THAT NO INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL IN

ANY STATE OR LOCAL PRISON, PENITENTIARY, JAIL OR REFORMATORY SHALL BE

COMPELLED OR INDUCED TO PROVIDE LABOR AGAINST HIS OR HER WILL. AND

UNTIL THIS LEGALIZED SERVITUDE IS BROUGHT TO A STOP, NOT A SINGLE ONE OF US

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

IS FREE. SOME OF THE GREATEST MINDS HAVE DELIBERATED THE QUESTION,

HOW DO WE BRING FREEDOM FOR OUR PEOPLE? THE COMMON THREAD HERE

IS THAT FREEDOM IS NOT FREE OF CAUSE. TOUSSAINT LOUVERTURE, A HAITIAN

GENERAL AND REVOLUTIONARY DIDN'T GO HAT IN HAND AND ASK THE FRENCH FOR

FREEDOM, HE LED THE HAITIAN REVOLUTION, WHICH WE WILL SOON HEAR, AND

SHED THE BLOOD OF THE FRENCH UNTIL HE WAS JAILED IN 1802. HE DIED IN

1803, A YEAR BEFORE ONE OF HIS LIEUTENANTS FINISHED THE JOB AND DECLARED

INDEPENDENCE FOR HAITI. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. AND IT IS THE SAME SPIRIT

THAT LED AN ABOLITIONIST A NEW YORKER NAMED HARRIET TUBMAN, TO

ESCAPE FREEDOM AND THEN RISK HER LIFE MORE THAN A DOZEN MISSIONS TO

FREE OTHER ENSLAVED PEOPLE, EACH TIME MAKING THAT 116 TREK ALONG THE

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. IF ANYONE ALONG THIS ROUTE WANTED TO TURN BACK

OR DEMONSTRATED FEAR, THIS POWERFUL BLACK WOMAN WHO SURVIVED

BEATINGS AND WHIPPINGS AND ATTEMPTS TO STARVE HER FROM THE TIME SHE

WAS A CHILD, GAVE THEM A CHOICE: FREEDOM OR DEATH. FREEDOM, ALSO

KNOWN AS LIBERATION, INDEPENDENCE OR THE ABILITY TO LIVE WITHOUT

CONSTRAINTS IS NOT FREE. IT COSTS COURAGE, SACRIFICE, AND SOMETIMES IT

MAY HAVE COSTED [SIC] OUR VERY OWN LIVES.

SOME MARCH IN PURSUIT OF FREEDOM LIKE THE LATE

FANNIE LOU HAMER, WHO WAS BEATEN AND ARRESTED SO THAT YOU AND I

COULD VOTE AND SIT RIGHT HERE IN THESE VERY CHAMBERS. OTHERS LIKE THE

LATE SHIRLEY CHISHOLM, WHO WOULD LEGISLATE ON BEHALF OF THE PURSUIT FOR

FREEDOM. SOME OF US QUEUE UP THE OLD NEGRO SPIRITUALS AND TRY TO

CARRY A TUNE FOR FREEDOM. WHILE THIS IS NOT A CALL TO ARMS AS SOMEBODY

SAID, YOU CAN'T SING UP ON FREEDOM, BUT YOU CAN SWING UP ON SOME

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

FREEDOM, AND THAT WAS THE HONORABLE MINISTER, MALCOLM X.

AND SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME THE

OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THE FREEDOMS THAT WE MAY HAVE ENCOUNTERED,

BUT RECOGNIZING EACH AND EVERY DAY THAT FREEDOM ISN'T FREE AND WE

HAVE TO SPEND THE REST OF OUR LIVES ENSURING THAT FREEDOM, ONE DAY, WE

WILL ALL SEE, EVEN THOUGH WE DIDN'T GET THERE WITH DR. KING. GOD BLESS.

(APPLAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MR. LAVINE.

MR. LAVINE: THANKS, MR. SPEAKER. SO, I AM ONE

OF THE FEW HERE WHO IS OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE SOME MEMORIES OF WHAT THE

WORLD WAS LIKE BEFORE 1954, THE YEAR IN WHICH OUR SUPREME COURT

FINALLY DID AWAY WITH THE LEGALLY-SANCTIONED SCOURGE OF SEGREGATION IN

OUR SCHOOLS AND SEGREGATION IN OUR NATION. THAT, MY FRIENDS, WAS A

VESTIGE OF THE FAILURES OF RECONSTRUCTION IN THE YEARS FOLLOWING THE

CIVIL WAR. AND I HAVE A -- I REMEMBER BEING IN A DEPARTMENT STORE

BEFORE 1954 WITH MY MOM AND MY GRANDMA IN CHICAGO, AND I DIDN'T

UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ARE BATHROOMS AND WATER FOUNTAINS THAT SAID

BLACK AND OTHERS THAT SAID WHITE. AND ODD HOW IT HAPPENS, BUT

THROUGH THE EYES OF A LITTLE KID, WHAT FASCINATED ME THE MOST WAS THE

PROSPECT OF BEING ABLE TO GET COLORED WATER, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS GOING

TO BE MUCH MORE INTERESTING THAN REGULAR WATER, BUT I GUESS EVEN THEN I

MUST HAVE BEEN A LIBERAL.

SO AT ANY RATE, THAT WAS THE YEAR 1954, THAT THE

REVEREND DR. LUTHER KING, JR. ACCEPTED THE PASTORSHIP OF THE DEXTER

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA. HIS PREDECESSOR IN

THAT PULPIT WAS THE REVEREND VERNON JOHNS. LIKE SO MANY OTHER REAL

AMERICAN HEROES, JOHNS IS LARGELY UNREMEMBERED TODAY. CRITICAL OF

THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, JOHNS AGITATED FOR THE FAIRNESS THAT FLOWS FROM A

RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS. HE CONTINUALLY PUT HIS

OWN LIFE IN DANGER. HIS COURAGE AND DEDICATION PAVED THE WAY FOR A

YOUNG DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BUT EVEN JOHNS STOOD NOT ON HIS

OWN, HE STOOD ON THE SHOULDERS AND BALANCED HIMSELF ON THE SHOULDERS

OF THE GIANTS WHO HAD PRECEDED HIM, INCLUDING, BUT IN NO WAY LIMITED

TO, PEOPLE SUCH AS RICHARD ALLEN AND ABSALOM JONES, THE FOUNDERS OF

THE FREE AFRICAN SOCIETY THAT WOULD LATER GROW INTO THE EARLY AFRICAN

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. MEDGAR EVANS, VIOLA LIUZZO, MICKEY

SCHWERNER, JAMES CHANEY, ANDREW GOODMAN, HERBERT LEE, THE REV --

THE CORPORAL ROMAN DUCKSWORTH, JR., LOUIS ALLEN, THE REVEREND

BRUCE KLUNDER, LIEUTENANT COLONEL LEMUEL PENN, JIMMY LEE JACKSON,

AND THE REVEREND JAMES REEB ARE JUST A FEW OF THE HUNDREDS OF NAMES

OF NOBLE AMERICANS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE. AND

THEIR MEMORIES MUST BE REMEMBERED TODAY AS WELL. THEY MUST BE

KEPT IN OUR THOUGHTS. SHOULD WE FAIL TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR EVERYONE

WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS HISTORIC AND UNIQUELY AMERICAN MOVEMENT FOR

HUMAN RIGHTS, WE WILL LIKELY MISS, WE MAY VERY WELL MISS THE TRUE

SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS HALLOWED DAY. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. WOULD

NOT HAVE WANTED IT ANY OTHER WAY.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I WAS PRIVILEGED TO HEAR DR. KING

SPEAK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN WHEN I WAS THERE IN THE MID-'60S.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

HIS REMARKS WERE BRILLIANT AND INSPIRING. AND I HAVE TO WONDER, WERE

HE WITH US TODAY, WHAT WOULD HE DO? HE WOULD BE CHALLENGING US AS

AMERICANS TO DO BETTER.

SO, AS WE GATHER TODAY TO HONOR DR. KING, WE

RECOGNIZE THAT HIS LEGACY DEMANDS THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US

DEDICATE OURSELVES TO THE CONTINUATION OF THE STRUGGLE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

AND CIVIL RIGHTS AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS HERE IN THE

UNITED STATES AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, AND LET US EACH RESOLVE DEEP

IN OUR HEARTS TO DO OUR VERY BEST TO HELP BEND THE LONG ARC OF HUMAN

DEVELOPMENTS TOWARDS JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

(APPLAUSE)

MR. OTIS ON THE RESOLUTION.

MR. OTIS: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. EMBEDDED IN

MANY OF THE REMARKS THAT WE'VE HEARD TODAY IS AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

THAT WE'RE NOT JUST HERE TO OBSERVE DR. KING'S LIFE AND HIS BIRTHDAY, BUT

WE ARE TO TAKE HIS LESSONS FOR WHAT THEY NEED TO BE DELIVERING FOR US

TODAY. WE HAVE TO ASK THE QUESTION, WHAT WOULD DR. KING THINK OF

2024 WHERE WE HAVE LOST GROUND IN MANY AREAS, WHERE HATE CRIMES ARE

UP, WHERE WE HAVE IN THE NATIONAL STAGE PEOPLE THINKING THAT THE CIVIL

WAR WAS NOT ABOUT SLAVERY OR THAT THE CIVIL WAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN

COMPROMISED AND ENDED. MORE IMPORTANTLY, LICENSE IS GIVEN IN THIS

SOCIETY TODAY TO HATE IN A WAY THAT IS VERY DAMAGING FOR WHICH THERE

ARE VICTIMS.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT DR. KING

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

CHANGED THE WORLD THROUGH MORAL LEADERSHIP. HE HELD A MIRROR UP TO

THIS COUNTRY AND SAID, YOU ARE NOT LIVING UP TO THE PROMISES OF THE

FOUNDING FATHERS. DR. KING SITS IN OUR HISTORY WITH ANY OF THE PEOPLE

THAT HAD OUR FOUNDING REVOLUTION, BECAUSE HE DEMANDED THAT THIS

COUNTRY LIVE UP TO THOSE PROMISES AND WE'RE STILL TRYING TO LIVE UP TO

THOSE PROMISES TODAY. SO THE CHALLENGE FOR US IN ALL THAT WE DO IS TO

SAY NO TO HATE THAT IS RAMPANT IN PARTS OF OUR COUNTRY AND PARTS OF OUR

DIALOGUE TODAY, TO NOT THINK THIS IS ALL ABOUT HISTORY IN THE PAST, THIS IS

ABOUT TODAY AND WE HAVE TO DO WHAT DR. KING WOULD EXPECT US TO DO;

TO FIGHT, LOVE AND TRY AND CHANGE THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE AND SO THAT WE ALL

CAN LIVE A BETTER LIFE IN THIS COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, SIR.

(APPLAUSE)

MS. FORREST ON THE RESOLUTION.

MS. FORREST: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, FOR

ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON THE 91ST -- 95TH BIRTHDAY OF MY FELLOW

DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST DR. REVEREND LUTHER -- DR. REVEREND MARTIN

LUTHER KING. WE GATHER TO SPEAK AND TO CELEBRATE DR. KING AND HIS

LEGACY OF NONVIOLENCE, RESISTANCE, ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND DEMOCRATIC

SOCIALISM. THIS YEAR, WE WILL HAVE LOCAL AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS THAT

WILL DETERMINE THE FATE OF OUR FUTURES. OUR DEMOCRACY TODAY FACES

THREATS THAT ARE NOT ONLY POLITICAL IN NATURE, BUT ALSO COME FROM THE

AUTATAMIZATION [SIC] AND FRACTURING OF OUR SOCIETY. WE WALK DOWN THE

STREETS PAST EACH OTHER, WE RIDE THE SUBWAYS TOGETHER, BUT WE DON'T

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

ALWAYS RECOGNIZE OR EVEN SEE EACH OTHER'S HUMANITY. AND SO MANY OF

OUR SOCIAL PROBLEMS COME FROM -- FROM CRIME TO DISPARITIES IN HEALTH

CARE, TO HOMELESSNESS, STEM FROM THAT DENIAL OF HUMANITY. OUR PROJECT

MUST BE TO CREATE A SPACE FOR US TO CELEBRATE AND NOURISH THAT VERY

HUMANITY.

THIS YEAR AND THIS WEEKEND, I WAS INSPIRED BY A QUOTE

FROM ONE OF DR. KING'S COMRADES IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT,

BAYARD RUSTIN. RUSTIN KNEW THAT CELEBRATING OUR HUMANITY MEANT

MORE THAN JUST WORDS, IT MEANT WORKING TO ADDRESS THE INEQUALITIES IN

OUR SOCIETY. HE SAID, WE ARE INDEED A HOUSE DIVIDED, BUT THE DIVISION

BETWEEN RACE AND RACE, CLASS AND CLASS, WILL NOT BE DISSOLVED BY

MASSIVE INFUSIONS OF BROTHERLY SENTIMENT; RATHER, THE DIVISION AND THE

BAD SENTIMENTS ARE BOTH REFLECTION OF VAST AND GROWING INEQUALITIES OF

OUR SOCIETY -- IN OUR SOCIETY AND OUR SOCIOECONOMIC SYSTEM.

INEQUALITIES OF WEALTH, OF STATUS, OF EDUCATION, OF ACCESS TO POLITICAL

POWER. TALK OF BROTHERHOOD AND TOLERANCE EVOKES CONTEMPT NOT

BECAUSE OF THE VALUES OF BROTHERHOOD ARE WRONG, BUT BECAUSE IT DOES

NOT CORRESPOND TO THE REALITY WE SEE AROUND US, AND SUCH TALK DOES

NOTHING TO ELIMINATE THE INEQUALITIES THAT BREED RESENTMENT AND KEEP --

AND DEEP DISCONTENT.

SO LET US COMMIT THIS YEAR TO HONORING DR. KING AND

HIS COMRADE BAYARD RUSTIN BY ADDRESSING THOSE INEQUALITIES IN OUR --

IN OUR COMMUNITY. WHETHER IT'S BY WELCOMING MIGRANTS FLEEING FROM

-- FROM VIOLENCE AND POVERTY, BY ELIMINATING UNNECESSARY COSTS IN

BASIC HEALTH CARE, BY GIVING EVERYONE A SAFE AND STABLE HOME, LET US

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

CONTINUE TO ASK OURSELVES THE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY OUR SOCIETY

IS SO DIVIDED, AND LET'S CONTINUE TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE EACH OTHER'S

HUMANITY. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

(APPLAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MS. FAHY ON THE RESOLUTION.

MS. FAHY: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I NORMALLY

DON'T RISE TODAY, BUT I THINK IN LIGHT OF SOME CURRENT EVENTS, IN LIGHT OF

WHAT WE ARE SEEING, AND IN LIGHT OF A NUMBER OF BEAUTIFUL EVENTS THAT I

ATTENDED YESTERDAY, IT ALWAYS -- THIS IS A TIME FOR US TO REFLECT AND --

AND HONOR MANY, MANY OF THE WORDS. SO TODAY, I'M JUST SPEAKING

REALLY AS THE HIGHER EDUCATION CHAIR, GIVEN SOME OF THE CHALLENGES

THAT OUR HIGHER EDUCATION CAMPUSES HAVE -- HAVE GRAPPLED WITH OVER

THE LAST FEW MONTHS AS WE -- AS WE GRAPPLE WITH FREE SPEECH AND

GRAPPLE WITH TRYING TO HAVE VOICES HEARD, AT THE SAME TIME TRYING TO

HAVE SAFE CAMPUSES.

SO I -- I THINK THE WORDS -- A COUPLE OF QUOTES -- EVERY

YEAR I READ NEW QUOTES FROM DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, AND THIS YEAR

DIFFERENT ONES RESONATED WITH ME, AND I'M GONNA READ TWO VERY BRIEF

QUOTES. ONE, AGAIN, FROM DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING SAID, RETURNING HATE

FOR HATE MULTIPLIES HATE, ADDING DEEPER DARKNESS TO A NIGHT ALREADY

DEVOID OF STARS. DARKNESS CANNOT DRIVE OUT DARKNESS, ONLY LIGHT CAN DO

THAT. HATE CANNOT DRIVE OUT HATE, ONLY LOVE CAN DO THAT. AGAIN, HIS

WORDS I THINK ARE PARTICULARLY POIGNANT THESE DAYS. ONE LAST QUOTE

ALONG THAT SAME VEIN THAT I THINK IS AN IMPORTANT REMINDER, AND THAT IS,

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

HATRED PARALYZES LIFE, LOVE RELEASES IT. HATRED CONFUSES LIFE, LOVE

HARMONIZES IT. HATRED DARKENS LIFE, LOVE ILLUMINATES IT. SO MANY OF

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING'S WORDS WERE EXTRAORDINARILY PROFOUND, I JUST

WANTED TO SHARE THAT AS OUR STUDENTS ARE RETURNING TO CAMPUS ACROSS

THIS NATION. AS WE CONTINUE TO FACE CHALLENGES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY, LET

ALONE THE WORLD, I THINK THESE WORDS ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER, AND

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THEM. AND WITH THAT, THANK

YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, MS.

FAHY.

(APPLAUSE)

MR. RAMOS ON THE RESOLUTION.

MR. RAMOS: MR. SPEAKER, JUST LIKE MY COLLEAGUE

MR. LAVINE, I, TOO, AM AN OLD GUY AND I REMEMBER THAT TIME OF THE

SEGREGATED SCHOOLS AND I REMEMBER -- I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A KID,

MY FAMILY, WE WENT TO FLORIDA DRIVING IN A STATION WAGON THAT MY

FATHER HAD, AND I REMEMBER SEEING JUST WHAT MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES

SAW, BLACK BATHROOMS, BLACK -- BLACK WATER FOUNTAINS. WE WERE

CONFUSED ABOUT THIS. WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THIS EXISTED AND,

ACTUALLY, WE HAD TO SPEND ONE NIGHT SLEEPING IN THE CAR AS A KID

BECAUSE WE COULDN'T GET -- WE COULDN'T GET A HOTEL TO GIVE US A ROOM.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, EVERY YEAR WE -- ON MARTIN LUTHER

KING DAY, WE STAND HERE AND WE SPEAK AND WE SPEAK ABOUT HIS DREAM,

WE SPEAK ABOUT HIS WORDS, BUT I THINK IT'S A -- IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY

FOR US TO MEASURE THE PROGRESS OF THAT DREAM, AND HAVE WE ACTUALLY

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

REACHED THAT DREAM OR ANYWHERE NEAR IT. AND I GET THE FEELING THAT WE

HAVE BEEN LOSING GROUND, THAT THAT -- THE GOALPOST FOR THAT DREAM HAS

BEEN EXTENDED OVER THE YEARS, ESPECIALLY IN RECENT YEARS. AND WE'VE

GOTTEN TO A POINT WHERE -- WHERE THE RACISM IN THIS COUNTRY HAS BECOME

-- IT'S -- IT'S BECOME PSYCHOTIC LEVELS, ACTUALLY. WHEN SOMEBODY CAN

SEE A VIDEO OF A BLACK MAN BEING CHOKED BY POLICE OFFICERS AND HE

SAYS, I CAN'T BREATHE, AND HE EVENTUALLY DIES OF ASPHYXIATION, WHEN

SOMEBODY COULD LOOK AT THAT AND SAY, NO, THAT WASN'T MURDER, IT'S -- IT'S

AT PSYCHOTIC LEVELS. AND NOT ONLY THAT, RACISM HAS MORPHED. WHEN I

WAS A KID, THEY WOULD BURN A CROSS ON PEOPLE'S LAWN. RACISM WAS IN

YOUR FACE. THE -- THE -- THE LAW ACTUALLY SAID THAT BLACK PEOPLE COULD

ONLY GO TO CERTAIN SCHOOLS. THAT WAS WRITTEN INTO LAW. AND SINCE THE

CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, RACISM HAS IN SOME

INSTANCES GONE UNDERGROUND. RECENTLY, IT'S COME OUT AND REARED ITS

HEAD AGAIN TO BE MORE IN -- IN OUR FACE. BUT THE MODERN DAY RACISM,

CROSS BURNING IS NO LONGER A CROSS BURNED ON SOMEBODY'S LAWN, THE

MODERN DAY CROSS BURNING IS SOMEONE WITH CALCULATOR; A CALCULATOR THAT

SAYS THAT THE FUNDS THAT YOUR SCHOOL GETS ARE BASED ON THE VALUES OF

YOUR HOME, WHICH LOGIC WOULD TELL YOU THAT IF YOU HAVE A COMMUNITY

WHERE THERE IS LOW WEALTH, THE HOMES ARE WORTH LESS AND, AS A RESULT,

PEOPLE OF COLOR AND CHILDREN OF COLOR GET LESS RESOURCES FOR THEIR

SCHOOLS. BUT IN THE HAMPTONS OR SOMEWHERE, SOME -- SOME WEALTHY

AREA, THOSE RICH KIDS GET A WINDFALL OF MONEY FROM THOSE MILLIONAIRE

MANSIONS AND THOSE TAXES AND WE HAVE A TWO-TIER SYSTEM EDUCATIONAL

SYSTEM. THAT IS A MODERN DAY CROSS BURNING. THESE FORMULAS THAT

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

ALWAYS HAVE THE SAME RESULT, AND THAT RESULT IS A DISPARITY. AND IT'S THAT

REASON THAT EDUCATION IS SO IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE OF COLOR, THAT'S ONE

THING THAT MARTIN LUTHER KING BELIEVED IN WAS EDUCATION AND HE

IDENTIFIED THE OBSTACLES. BECAUSE YOU REALIZE THAT EDUCATION IS WHAT

GETS PEOPLE OF COLOR, CHILDREN OF COLOR AT THE TABLE TO CHANGE THAT

CALCULATOR, TO CHANGE THAT FORMULA. AND EDUCATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN

USED TO MARGINALIZE PEOPLE. AND IT'S SAD WHEN ACROSS THE BOARD PEOPLE

WILL SAY GREAT THINGS ABOUT MARTIN LUTHER KING, REGARDLESS OF ONE'S

POLITICAL PERSUASION. BUT YET, MARTIN LUTHER KING WROTE FIVE BOOKS,

AND THOSE SAME PEOPLE WHO PRAISE, IN MANY INSTANCES, PRAISE MARTIN

LUTHER KING, WANT TO BAN THOSE BOOKS FROM OUR SCHOOLS. THEY WANT TO

ERASE THAT HISTORY THAT WE STAND HERE AND PRAISE. THEY DON'T WANT OTHER

PEOPLE TO HEAR ABOUT THAT. THOSE SAME PEOPLE CAN SEE THE PROUD BOYS

MARCHING DOWN THE STREET AND SAYING, JEWS WILL NOT REPLACE US, AND

ACCEPT -- AS ELECTED OFFICIALS ACCEPT SUPPORT FROM GROUPS LIKE THAT.

THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THIS COUNTRY AND THAT IS WHY I SAY THAT THE

GOALPOSTS TO THAT DREAM KEEPS MOVING. BUT IT'S EDUCATION, THE MODERN

DAY CIVIL RIGHTS FIGHT IS IN THE AREA OF EDUCATION, BECAUSE EDUCATION

WILL PUT PEOPLE OF COLOR AT THE TABLE, AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, IN THE

BOARDROOMS, CHANGING THOSE POLICIES AND THE INTRINSIC PROBLEMS THAT

WE FIND IN OUR SYSTEM THAT HAVE THAT DISPARATE EFFECT.

SO I -- I CALL ON MY COLLEAGUES TO REFLECT. WE

CELEBRATE THIS DAY, WE CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING'S LIFE, AND I THINK

THE BIGGEST WAY THAT -- THE BEST WAY THAT WE CAN COMMEMORATE HIS LIFE

IS TO CREATE THE CHANGES AND NOT ALLOW THAT DREAM TO SLIP AWAY ANY

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

FURTHER.

(APPLAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

AYE; OPPOSED. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

I'M SORRY. SECOND RESOLUTION. ASSEMBLY PRINT 738,

THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 738, MR.

KIM.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM JANUARY 13, 2024 AS KOREAN AMERICAN DAY

IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL

THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED. THE RESOLUTION IS

ADOPTED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. PEOPLES -- MR.

SPEAKER, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE BANKING COMMITTEE TO THE

SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ABSOLUTELY.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: BANKING COMMITTEE

TO THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM, PLEASE, IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU.

ON CONSENT, PAGE 4, THE CLERK WILL READ.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08480, CALENDAR NO.

211, BRONSON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LAW,

IN RELATION TO PERMITTING THE SALE OR PROMOTIONAL GIFTING OF CERTAIN

COMPLEMENTARY PRODUCTS FOR WINE AND LIQUOR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 90TH

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08493, CALENDAR NO.

212, BRONSON, LUPARDO, KELLES. AN ACT TO AMEND THE ALCOHOLIC

BEVERAGE CONTROL LAW, IN RELATION TO AUTHORIZING THE MANUFACTURE OF

BEER, SPIRITS, CIDER, WINE AND MEAD AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN

BROOME COUNTY AND CORNELL UNIVERSITY, ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE NEW

YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES AND THE NEW

YORK STATE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08500, CALENDAR NO.

213, WEPRIN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE INSURANCE LAW AND A CHAPTER OF THE

LAWS OF 2023 AMENDING THE INSURANCE LAW RELATING TO USING DRIVING

HISTORY AS A RATING OR UNDERWRITING FACTOR FOR PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR

VEHICLE INSURANCE, AS PROPOSED IN LEGISLATIVE BILLS NUMBERS S.5764-B

AND A.4668-B, IN RELATION TO USING DRIVING HISTORY AS A RATING OR

UNDERWRITING FACTOR FOR PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 180TH

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08501, CALENDAR NO.

214, MCDONALD. AN ACT TO AMEND THE INSURANCE LAW AND THE PUBLIC

HEALTH LAW, IN RELATION TO ADVERSE DETERMINATIONS RELATED TO A STEP

THERAPY PROTOCOL OVERRIDE DETERMINATION; AND TO REPEAL CERTAIN

PROVISIONS OF THE INSURANCE LAW AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW RELATING

THERETO.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 90TH

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08503, CALENDAR NO.

215, JACOBSON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE INSURANCE LAW, IN RELATION TO

SUPPLEMENTARY UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE FOR

POLICE AGENCIES; AND TO AMEND A CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF 2023

AMENDING THE INSURANCE LAW AND THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW RELATING

TO SUPPLEMENTARY UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE FOR

POLICE AGENCIES, AS PROPOSED IN LEGISLATIVE BILLS NUMBERS S.439 AND

A.1178, IN RELATION TO THE EFFECTIVENESS THEREOF.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08504, CALENDAR NO.

216, MEEKS. AN ACT TO AMEND THE INSURANCE LAW, IN RELATION TO

WELLNESS PROGRAMS; AND TO AMEND A CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF 2023

AMENDING THE INSURANCE LAW RELATING TO AUTHORIZING LIFE INSURERS TO

ESTABLISH WELLNESS PROGRAMS, AS PROPOSED IN LEGISLATIVE BILLS NUMBERS

S.5890-A AND A.2853-B, IN RELATION TO THE EFFECTIVENESS THEREOF.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.

KELLES, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE -- OH, I'M SORRY, WE'RE ON

MEEKS.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08505, CALENDAR NO.

217, KELLES. AN ACT TO AMEND THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW, IN RELATION

TO OWNER'S POLICIES OF LIABILITY INSURANCE ISSUED BY A RISK RETENTION

GROUP NOT CHARTERED WITHIN THIS STATE; AND TO AMEND A CHAPTER OF THE

LAWS OF 2023 AMENDING THE INSURANCE LAW AND THE VEHICLE AND

TRAFFIC LAW RELATING TO OWNER'S POLICIES OF LIABILITY INSURANCE ISSUED BY

A RISK RETENTION GROUP NOT CHARTERED WITHIN THIS STATE, AS PROPOSED IN

LEGISLATIVE BILLS NUMBERS S.5959-B AND A.5718-B, IN RELATION TO A

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

STUDY AND REPORTING ON THE IMPACT OF SUCH BILL, REQUIRED REPORTING BY

CERTAIN RISK RETENTION GROUPS OF EXAMINATIONS, AUDITS OR OTHER

INVESTIGATIONS PERFORMED BY ANOTHER STATE'S INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

AND THE EFFECTIVENESS THEREOF.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.

KELLES, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED. READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08507, CALENDAR NO.

218, SOLAGES. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, IN RELATION TO

HEALTH CARE CLAIMS DATA FROM THE EMPIRE PLAN; AND TO AMEND A CHAPTER

OF THE LAWS OF 2023, AMENDING THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW RELATING TO

CERTAIN REPORTS RELATING TO HEALTH BENEFITS FOR STATE AND RETIRED STATE

EMPLOYEES, AS PROPOSED IN LEGISLATIVE BILLS NUMBERS S.4097-B AND

A.5817-A, IN RELATION TO THE EFFECTIVENESS THEREOF.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08508, CALENDAR NO.

219, STIRPE. AN ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW, IN RELATION TO

ENROLLEES IN THE NEW YORK STATE SECURE CHOICE SAVINGS PROGRAM; AND

TO REPEAL SECTION 1310-A OF SUCH LAW RELATING THERETO.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MR.

STIRPE, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED. READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08513, CALENDAR NO.

220, PHEFFER AMATO. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, IN

RELATION TO REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUING CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION AND

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08514, CALENDAR NO.

221, PHEFFER AMATO. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, IN

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

RELATION TO CREDITING OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE UPON PERMANENT

APPOINTMENT.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08518, CALENDAR NO.

222, STERN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE INSURANCE LAW, IN RELATION TO

STANDARDS FOR PROMPT INVESTIGATION AND SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS; AND TO

AMEND A CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF 2023 AMENDING THE INSURANCE LAW

RELATING TO STANDARDS FOR PROMPT INVESTIGATION AND SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS

ARISING FROM STATES OF EMERGENCY, AS PROPOSED IN LEGISLATIVE BILLS

NUMBERS S.5201 AND A.2078, IN RELATION TO THE EFFECTIVENESS THEREOF.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MR.

STERN, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED. READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MR. GOODELL TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. LAST YEAR, WE

PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES TO RESPOND

TO AN INSURANCE CLAIM WITHIN 15 DAYS IN THE EVENT OF A NATURAL DISASTER;

15 DAYS AFTER THE CLAIM WAS COMPLETED. AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY

HAD ONE 15-DAY EXTENSION. WE ALL RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGE WHEN

THERE'S A HUGE NATURAL DISASTER, BOTH ON THE PART OF THE INSUREDS FILING A

CLAIM, BECAUSE INSUREDS HAVE A HORRIFIC TIME GETTING A CONTRACTOR TO

COME OUT AND GIVE THEM A QUOTE WHEN THE CONTRACTORS ARE BUSY JUST

TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE MOST SERIOUS REPAIRS. AND, AT THE SAME TIME,

THE INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE A HORRIFIC TIME EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY

BRING IN THOUSANDS OF AGENTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY, OFTEN THEY CAN'T

EVEN ACCESS THE PROPERTY. THIS IS A CHAPTER AMENDMENT THAT PROVIDES

THAT IF THE INSURANCE COMPANY CANNOT ACCESS THE PROPERTY BECAUSE THE

ROADS ARE NOT CLEAR OR THE PROPERTY IS UNDER WATER OR FOR WHATEVER

REASON, THEY CAN GET MORE THAN ONE 15-DAY EXTENSION. AND EACH TIME

THEY DO SO, THEY MUST NOTIFY THE PROPERTY OWNER IN WRITING WHY THEY'RE

ASKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL 15-DAY EXTENSION. SO THIS CHAPTER AMENDMENT

PROVIDES A LITTLE BIT MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THOSE CASES WHERE THE INSURANCE

COMPANY IS PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO ACCESS THE PROPERTY IN ORDER TO MAKE

AN ASSESSMENT.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT VOTED IN

FAVOR OF THE ORIGINAL BILL AND MIGHT PREFER THE TIGHTER -- TIGHTER TIME

FRAMES, IN WHICH CASE THEY SHOULD VOTE AGAINST THIS, PERHAPS. I VOTED

AGAINST THE ORIGINAL BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS TOO INFLEXIBLE, AND I

SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT, SO I WILL BE SUPPORTING IT.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. GOODELL IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 4 -- PAGE 12, CALENDAR NO. 33, THE CLERK WILL

READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01057-C, CALENDAR

NO. 33, VANEL. AN ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW, IN RELATION

TO ONLINE DATING SERVICES.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 60TH

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01080-A, CALENDAR

NO. 34, WOERNER, STIRPE, LUPARDO, CRUZ, ZINERMAN, JONES, BRABENEC,

ANGELINO, BYRNES, MILLER, SAYEGH, TAGUE, MANKTELOW, J.M. GIGLIO,

LEMONDES, COOK, GOODELL, RAGA, BUTTENSCHON, SANTABARBARA. AN ACT

TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW, IN RELATION TO THE APPOINTMENT FOR

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

AGRICULTURAL REPRESENTATION ON THE STATE FIRE PREVENTION AND BUILDING

CODE COUNCIL.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01118, CALENDAR NO.

35, VANEL, SANTABARBARA. AN ACT TO AMEND THE RACING, PARI-MUTUEL

WAGERING AND BREEDING LAW, IN RELATION TO REQUIRING ALL

ADVERTISEMENTS FOR GAMBLING AND SPORTS BETTING TO INCLUDE WARNINGS

ABOUT POTENTIAL HARMFUL AND ADDICTIVE EFFECTS OF GAMBLING AND TO

REQUIRING THE STATE GAMING COMMISSION TO COOPERATE WITH THE

COMMISSIONER OF ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS TO ENSURE THAT ALL

ADVERTISEMENTS FOR GAMING ACTIVITY STATE A PROBLEM GAMBLING HOTLINE

NUMBER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 60TH

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01148-A, CALENDAR

NO. 36, ZEBROWSKI, BUTTENSCHON, ZINERMAN, COLTON, EACHUS. AN ACT

TO AMEND THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW AND THE PENAL LAW, IN

RELATION TO DETECTING, DISRUPTING AND DISMANTLING VIOLENT ENTERPRISE

ANIMAL CRUELTY AND APPROPRIATELY PUNISHING INDIVIDUALS ASSOCIATED WITH

SUCH ENTERPRISE CRUELTY; AND TO REPEAL CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE

AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW RELATING THERETO.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01200, CALENDAR NO.

37, EPSTEIN, BURDICK, GALLAGHER, SEAWRIGHT, CRUZ, HEVESI, GIBBS,

COOK, OTIS, SANTABARBARA DESTEFANO, COLTON, MCMAHON, REYES,

TAYLOR, SHIMSKY, SIMON, RAGA, KELLES, WEPRIN, BUTTENSCHON. AN ACT

TO ESTABLISH THE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ACCESS TO PROGRAMS

COMMISSION.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01202-B, CALENDAR

NO. 38 WAS RECOMMITTED TO COMMITTEE.

ASSEMBLY NO. A01234, CALENDAR NO. 39, LUPARDO,

STRIPE, DICKENS, SIMON, WOERNER, FAHY, GIBBS, JACOBSON,

BUTTENSCHON, JEAN-PIERRE, JACKSON, MCDONALD, GONZ�LEZ-ROJAS,

HYNDMAN, HUNTER, GLICK, TAGUE, KELLES, NOVAKHOV, MAHER. AN ACT TO

AMEND THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW, IN RELATION TO EXPANDING THE

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

DEFINITION OF CROPS, LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS TO INCLUDE

CANNABIS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01273, CALENDAR NO.

40, KELLES, GONZ�LEZ-ROJAS, SEAWRIGHT, DAVILA, THIELE, SIMON,

DINOWITZ, EPSTEIN, RAGA. AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW, IN

RELATION TO THE ESTABLISHING THE LGBTQ ADVISORY BOARD.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 180TH

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, DO WE

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

HAVE ANY FURTHER HOUSEKEEPING OR RESOLUTIONS?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: WE HAVE BOTH, MRS.

PEOPLES-STOKES.

ON A MOTION BY MS. WALLACE, PAGE 33, CALENDAR NO.

143, BILL NO. A.5212, AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

PURSUANT TO RULE III, SECTION 2, THE FOLLOWING BILL IS

COMMITTED BACK TO THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AT

THE REQUEST OF THE CHAIR: CALENDAR NO. 88, BILL A.3226.

PURSUANT TO RULE II, SECTION -- RULE III, SECTION 2, THE

FOLLOWING BILL IS COMMITTED BACK TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY AT THE

REQUEST OF THE CHAIR: CALENDAR NO. 164, BILL NO. A.5841.

RESOLUTIONS.

NUMBER 741, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 741, MR.

BEEPHAN.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MOURNING THE DEATH OF

SERGEANT DANIEL PAUL DIDATO OF THE EAST FISH -- FISHKILL POLICE

DEPARTMENT.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. BEEPHAN ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MR. BEEPHAN: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER AND MY

FELLOW COLLEAGUES FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON THIS RESOLUTION. JUST A

MERE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS THIS PAST YEAR, WE LOST OFFICER DAN

DIDATO, SOMEONE THAT WE GOT TO KNOW VERY DEEPLY THROUGH HIS 19

YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE TOWN OF EAST FISHKILL. DAN WAS INVOLVED IN A

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

TRAGIC CAR ACCIDENT RIGHT AFTER A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR ON THE TACONIC

STATE PARKWAY. PRIOR TO HIS SERVICE WITH EAST FISHKILL, HE WAS ACTUALLY

AN OFFICER FOR STATE OF NEW YORK WITH THE DEP. YOU KNOW, HE WAS

JUST SHY OF SIX MONTHS AWAY FROM RETIRING, SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS

FAMILY. DAN IS SURVIVED BY BOTH HIS MOTHER, HIS FATHER AND HIS BROTHER,

WHO'S ALSO A RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH OUR TOWN. YOU

KNOW, THIS UNFORTUNATELY MARKS THE FIRST, AND I HOPE TO BE LAST, LINE OF

DUTY DEATH OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO, MR. SPEAKER, I WANTED TO RISE AND SUPPORT DAN,

OFFICER DAN DIDATO WHO WAS PROMOTED TO SERGEANT POSTHUMOUSLY BY

OUR TOWN. AND WITH THAT, I THANK YOU FOR THE TIME AND ALLOWING ME TO

SPEAK ON THE BILL.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE WHO SIGNIFY -- ALL THOSE IN

FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

RESOLUTION NO. 744, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 744, MS.

SOLAGES.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 220TH

ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF HAITI FROM FRANCE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. BICHOTTE

HERMELYN ON THE RESOLUTION.

MS. BICHOTTE HERMELYN: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER, FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT RESOLUTION

THAT RECOGNIZES HAITIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY. HAITI DECLARED

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

INDEPENDENCE ON JANUARY 1ST, 1804, AND THIS YEAR WE ARE

COMMEMORATING THE MOMENTOUS MILESTONE OF THE NATION GAINING

INDEPENDENCE 220 YEARS.

(APPLAUSE)

NEW YORK IS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM TO PEOPLE

WORLDWIDE, AND HAITI WAS THE FIRST FREE BLACK NATION IN THE WESTERN

HEMISPHERE. TODAY, WE PAY HOMAGE TO THE MANY BLACK

REVOLUTIONARIES THAT LED HAITI TO ITS INDEPENDENCE, SUCH AS TOUSSAINT

LOUVERTURE; JEAN-JACQUES DESSALINES, WHO IS MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER OF

WHOM MY SON IS NAMED AFTER; DUTTY BOUKMAN, JAMAICAN BORN; HENRY

HENRI CHRISTOPHE, GRENADIAN BORN; AND MANY, MANY OTHERS WHO LED

THE ABOLISH -- ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT. ALSO ECHOING THE IMPORTANCE OF

WOMEN OF COLOR IN NATION-BUILDING THROUGH REVOLUTIONARIES LIKE

MARIE-JEANNE LAMARTINI�RE, WHO FOUGHT AS A SOLDIER IN THE INDIGENOUS

ARMY, AND CATHERINE FLON, WHO LIKE BETSY ROSS, IS CREDITED WITH

CRAFTING THE INDEPENDENT BLACK REPUBLIC OF HAITI FLAG IN 1803 AND

SERVED AS A NURSE, AS WELL.

FURTHER, AS WE CELEBRATE HAITI -- HAITI INDEPENDENCE,

WE REFLECT ON THE CONTINUOUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR PEOPLE IMMIGRATING

TO NEW YORK, SHAPING THE FABRIC OF OUR CITY AND STATE, AND IN THE

NATION LIKE THE 750 HAITIAN SOLDIERS FOR AMERICA WHEN WE FOUGHT

ALONGSIDE THE UNION IN THE BATTLE OF SAVANNAH IN THE AMERICAN

REVOLUTION IN 1779. WE SEIZED THE BEACON OF LIBERTY THAT AMERICA

PROMISED, AND WE HELPED CREATE IT. WITHOUT THE REVOLT IN HAITI,

PRESIDENT JEFFERSON AND MONROE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

BARGAIN THAT THEY DID IN PURCHASING THE LOUISIANA TERRITORY. NOT TO

MENTION THE FIRST SETTLER OF CHICAGO, JEAN BAPTISTE DU SABLE [SIC] IS

HAITIAN. HAITI HAD ALSO INFLUENCED MANY OTHER NATIONS IN THE

CARIBBEAN AND SOUTH AMERICA TO -- LEADING INTO THEIR INDEPENDENCE.

WE CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE HAITI AS WE MOURN THE 14TH YEAR OF THE

DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE THAT INJURED AND HAD MANY PEOPLE DIE, OVER

300,000 PEOPLE, LEAVING 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE HOMELESS IN HAITI. BY

RECOGNIZING HAITIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY IN NEW YORK STATE, WE

CELEBRATE HAITIAN HISTORY THROUGH PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES LIKE LITTLE

HAITI BROOKLYN AND THE HAITIAN STUDIES INSTITUTE, HAITIAN DAY PARADE

IN NEW YORK CITY AND SO MANY OF OUR -- AND SO MANY OTHER ASPECTS OF

OUR CULTURE.

TWENTY -- 220 YEARS, A BEACON OF A HISTORICAL

FREEDOM. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MS. FORREST ON THE RESOLUTION.

MS. FORREST: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. IN

RECOGNITION -- RECOGNITION OF HAITI'S 220TH DAY OF INDEPENDENCE, I

STAND PROUD TO BE THE DAUGHTER OF THE PROUD AND POWERFUL REPUBLIC.

HAITI IS THE FIRST BLACK REPUBLIC, THE FIRST IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE TO

ABOLISH SLAVERY. IT IS ALSO THE PEARL OF THE ANTILLES, THE PREMIER

DESTINATION IN THE CARIB, LAND OF BEAUTY AND PRESTIGE. I SAY ALL OF THIS IS

HAITI. THE OTHER SIDE OF WHAT IS HAITI IS A REALITY TO BE RECKONED WITH,

AS WELL. THE LOOTING, THE POVERTY, THE SHUTDOWN OF A CAPITAL, THE CITY

OF PORT-AU-PRINCE, OUR BASTIAN OF DEMOCRACY. THIS IS ALSO REALITY OF

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

IMPERIALISM AND THE CONTINUED EXPLOITATION AT THE HAND OF CAPITALIST

FORCES.

BUT DO NOT PITY HAITI. PLEASE SEE THIS SMALL SPEECH AS

A CALL TO ACTION. WE NEED INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP, THE PARTNERSHIP OF

A UNITED DIASPORA SO HAITI CAN BE THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND FILLED WITH PEOPLE

DEMOCRATICALLY (INAUDIBLE). SO DON'T ASK ME WHEN, DON'T ASK ME HOW,

PLEASE TELL ME INSTEAD WHAT WILL YOU TO TO HELP, BECAUSE (SPEAKING

FOREIGN LANGUAGE). I AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS CALL TO ACTION. THANK

YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, MA'AM.

ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

RESOLUTION NO. 749, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 749, MR.

REILLY.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MOURNING THE DEATH OF DAVID

LAMORTE, DEDICATED EDUCATOR AND PILLAR OF HIS COMMUNITY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. REILLY ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MR. REILLY: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. TODAY I

RISE TO RECOGNIZE DAVID LAMORTE. HE WAS AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT

TOTTENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL. HE SERVED FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES. HE

WAS A PILAR IN THE COMMUNITY. HE WAS THE DIRECTOR OF THE TOTTENVILLE

MARCHING BAND, WHICH WAS AN AWARD-WINNING BAND. HE WAS THE

DIRECTOR OF THE SYMPHONIC BAND FOR ALL OF STATEN ISLAND.

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

SO ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, MY COLLEAGUES

ASSEMBLYMEMBER TANNOUSIS, PIROZZOLO AND FALL, WE WANT YOU TO

KNOW THAT STATEN ISLAND WILL FOREVER REMEMBER THE IMPACT THAT MR.

DAVID LAMORTE HAD ON THE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE

COMMUNITY HE TOUCHED. HIS LEGACY WILL LIVE ON FOREVER. THANK YOU

FOR TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMEMBER HIM.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, SIR.

ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

WE HAVE NUMEROUS OTHER FINE RESOLUTIONS WHICH WE

WILL TAKE UP WITH ONE VOTE.

ON THESE RESOLUTIONS, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY

SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTIONS ARE ADOPTED.

(WHEREUPON, ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NOS. 740,

742-748 AND 750 WERE UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED.)

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, I NOW

MOVE THAT THE ASSEMBLY STAND ADJOURNED AND THAT WE RECONVENE AT

1:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY THE 17TH, TOMORROW BEING A SESSION

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON MRS. PEOPLES-

STOKES' MOTION, THE ASSEMBLY STANDS ADJOURNED.

(WHEREUPON, AT 5:06 P.M., THE ASSEMBLY STOOD

ADJOURNED UNTIL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17TH AT 1:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY

NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 2024

BEING A SESSION DAY.)