MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2024 2:51 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 FRIDAY, JANUARY 26TH.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO
DISPENSE WITH THE FURTHER READING OF THE JOURNAL OF FRIDAY, JANUARY THE
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
26TH AND ASK THAT THE SAME STAND APPROVED.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO
ORDERED.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR.
I CERTAINLY WANT TO WELCOME OUR COLLEAGUES BACK INTO THE CHAMBERS AS
WELL AS GUESTS. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THIS QUOTE FOR TODAY, MR.
SPEAKER. THIS ONE IS FROM ALBERT EINSTEIN. NO NEED TO DESCRIBE WHO
HE IS. EVERYBODY HAS HAD SOME OPPORTUNITY TO READ HIS WORKS. THIS
ONE SAYS, EDUCATION IS NOT THE LEARNING OF FACTS, BUT THE TRAINING OF THE
MIND TO THINK. AGAIN, THESE WORDS FROM ALBERT EINSTEIN. THE
MEMBERS HAVE ON THEIR DESKS, MR. SPEAKER, A MAIN CALENDAR. IT HAS 22
NEW BILLS ON IT, AND AFTER YOU'VE DONE ANY INTRODUCTIONS OR
HOUSEKEEPING, WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH CALENDAR RESOLUTIONS ON
PAGE 3, WHICH I UNDERSTAND A NUMBER OF OUR MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO
SPEAK ON. WE WILL THEN TAKE UP CALENDAR NO. 284 BY MS. CRUZ.
FOLLOWING THAT, WE WILL GO DIRECTLY TO, AGAIN, OUR CONSENT WORK OF THE
OTHER NEW BILLS BEGINNING WITH CALENDAR NO. 268, IT'S ON PAGE 4 AND
WE'RE GOING TO GO ALL THE WAY TO CALENDAR NO. 289, WHICH IS ON PAGE 8.
THERE MAY BE A NEED FOR FURTHER FLOOR ACTIVITY AS WE PROCEED, MR.
SPEAKER. IF SO, I WILL DUTIFULLY LET MEMBERS KNOW THAT. HOWEVER, TO
BE CLEAR, MAJORITY MEMBERS, IS THAT THERE WILL BE A NEED FOR A
CONFERENCE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF OUR WORK ON THE
FLOOR TODAY. AND AS WE ALWAYS DO, MR. SPEAKER, WE'LL CONFER WITH OUR
COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THEIR NEEDS
2
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
MAY BE. THAT'S A GENERAL OUTLINE OF WHERE WE ARE, SIR. IF YOU HAVE
INTRODUCTIONS OR HOUSEKEEPING, NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME. THANK
YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: NO HOUSEKEEPING,
MRS. PEOPLE-STOKES, BUT WE DO HAVE A INTRODUCTION BY MS. CRUZ.
MS. CRUZ: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. SO I RISE TODAY
TO WELCOME BACK ONE OF OUR FORMER COLLEAGUES AND ONE OF MY DEAREST
FRIENDS ARAVELLA SIMOTAS. ARAVELLA SIMOTAS LEADS THE STATE IN LOCAL
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS STRATEGY AT BNY MELLON, A 240-YEAR-OLD
INNOVATIVE GLOBAL BANKING INSTITUTION WITH OPERATIONS ACROSS 22 STATES
AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SPANNING A WIDE RANGE OF FINANCIAL
SERVICES. PREVIOUSLY, ARAVELLA SERVED FOR A DECADE AS A MEMBER OF OUR
HOUSE WHERE SHE AUTHORED GROUNDBREAKING LABOR, INSURANCE AND PENAL
CODE LEGISLATION AND SHARED THE BODY'S ETHICS AND GUIDANCE
COMMITTEE AND CO-CHAIRED THE BICAMERAL LEGISLATIVE ETHICS
COMMISSION. DURING HER LEGISLATIVE TENURE, SHE SERVED ON THE
ASSEMBLY'S WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD OF ECONOMIC
ADVISORS. IN HER LEGAL PRACTICE, SHE REPRESENTED CLIENTS IN STATE AND
FEDERAL COURTS AND IN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTIONS AND HIGH-DOLLAR,
HIGH-RISK COMMERCIAL LITIGATION. ARAVELLA ALSO SERVED AS POLICY AND
STRATEGIC ADVISOR TO A MEMBER OF THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AND BEGAN HER LONG TENURE IN GOVERNMENT AS AN AIDE TO FORMER NEW
YORK CITY COUNCIL SPEAKER PETER VALLONE. SHE RECEIVED HER JURIS
DOCTOR FROM FORDHAM LAW SCHOOL WHERE SHE SERVED AS THE MANAGING
EDITOR FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW REVIEW. SHE GRADUATED SUMMA CUM
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
LAUDE FROM FORDHAM UNIVERSITY WITH A DEGREE IN ECONOMICS AND
PHILOSOPHY WITH A CONCENTRATION IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND
SERVED ON THE BOARD OF ADVISORS TO FORDHAM COLLEGE AT LINCOLN
CENTER. LAST YEAR, SUNY AWARDED ARAVELLA AN HONORARY DOCTORAL
DEGREE IN HUMANE LETTERS IN RECOGNITION OF HER SIGNIFICANT WORK
SUPPORTING HIGHER EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ARAVELLA CURRENTLY SERVES AS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE VARIETY BOYS &
GIRLS CLUB OF QUEENS AND SUNY SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY. BUT I GET TO
CALL HER MY FRIEND AND ONE OF THE FAVORITE PEOPLE THAT I GET TO GO HAVE
SOME AMAZING GREEK FOOD IN ASTORIA. SHE IS A WONDERFUL ATTORNEY,
POSSIBLY ONE OF THE BEST DEBATERS I'VE EVER SEEN, AND SO HELP ME
WELCOME HER BACK INTO OUR HOUSE AND AFFORD HER ALL THE CORDIALITIES OF
THE HOUSE, MR. SPEAKER.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF
OF MS. CRUZ, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, ARAVELLA, ALWAYS A
PLEASURE TO SEE YOU, SO GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK AS ONE OF THE PREMIERE
SISTERS OF QUEENS. WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY YOUR STAY. YOU ALWAYS
HAVE PRIVILEGES AS A FORMER MEMBER, AND OUR BEST TO YOUR FAMILY.
GLAD TO SEE YOU.
(APPLAUSE)
WE WILL GO TO RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE 3. ASSEMBLY NO.
798, THE CLERK WILL READ.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. 798, MS. SEPTIMO.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM JANUARY 26, 2024, AS THE 211TH ANNIVERSARY
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
OF JUAN PABLO DUARTE DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. SEPTIMO ON THE
RESOLUTION.
MS. SEPTIMO: THANK YOU. I AM PROUD TO STAND AND
CELEBRATE JUAN PABLO DUARTE WHO WAS BORN 210 YEARS AGO ON JANUARY
26TH, AND IS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AFTER -- OFTEN BEING REFERRED TO AS THE FATHER OF
THE NATION. DUARTE WAS LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR FINANCING THE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC'S WAR OF INDEPENDENCE, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, HE
ALSO SERVED AS THE INSPIRATIONAL LEADER FOR THE WAR. DUARTE'S VISIONARY
LEADERSHIP AND HONORABLE SPIRIT AND GENUINE COMMITMENT TO IDEALS OF
DEMOCRACY, FAIRNESS AND AN ENLIGHTENED STATE SERVE AS THE FOUNDATION
FOR THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AS A NATION AND THE DOMINICAN
COMMUNITY AS A PEOPLE. DUARTE WAS ONCE QUOTED AS SAYING (SPEAKING
IN SPANISH), WHICH MEANS WE WORK FOR AND BECAUSE OF OUR HOMELAND,
WHICH MEANS WORKING FOR OUR CHILDREN AND FOR OURSELVES. IT IS CLEAR IN
THIS QUOTE AND IN SO MANY OTHERS, THAT JUAN PABLO DUARTE UNDERSTOOD
THAT THE BETTERING OF A STATE, A GOVERNMENT AND ITS PEOPLE ARE ALL
INEXTRICABLY LINKED. AND THAT WE ARE ALL MADE BETTER IN PURSUIT OF
EXCELLENCE FOR OURSELVES AND FOR EACH OTHER. I AM PROUD TO BE A
DOMINICAN WOMAN WHOSE COMMUNITY BEARS THE FRUITS OF A SUCH AN
IMPORTANT MESSAGE ON A DAILY BASIS, AND I BRING THAT SAME SPIRIT TO MY
WORK HERE IN NEW YORK EVERY SINGLE DAY. SO THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME
IN CELEBRATION OF JUAN PABLO DUARTE AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
5
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
MS. TAPIA ON THE RESOLUTION.
MS. TAPIA: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. JUAN PABLO
DUARTE WAS A VISIONARY STATEMAN [SIC] AND AN INTELLECTUAL WHO PLAYED A
PIVOTAL ROLE IN THE FORMATION OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, AND IS ONE OF
THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. BORN IN 1813 IN THE
CITY OF SANTO DOMINGO, HE WAS CLOSE TO THE INJUSTICE AND SUFFERING OF
HIS COUNTRYMEN FROM A YOUNG AGE. THIS INSPIRED HIM TO SEEK CHANGE
AND WORK TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR PEOPLE IN THE DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC. IN 1838, DUARTE FOUNDED A SECRET SOCIETY CALLED LA
TRINITARIA, WHICH AIMED TO SECURE OUR INDEPENDENCE. JUAN PABLO
DUARTE WAS A MAN AHEAD OF HIS TIME. HE WAS A VISIONARY LEADER WHO
DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO THE CAUSE OF INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM FOR THE
PEOPLE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. HIS TIRELESS EFFORTS, DEDICATION AND
SACRIFICE CONTINUE TO INSPIRE DOMINICANS TODAY AND HIS LEGACY IS A
TESTAMENT OF THE POWER OF ONE PERSON TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE
WORLD. DUARTE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBER [SIC] AS ONE OF THE FOUNDING
FATHERS OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. A SYMBOL -- AND A SYMBOL OF
HOPE AND INSPIRATION FOR OUR FUTURE'S AHEAD GENERATIONS. AND LIKE YOU
SAID, QUOTE, LIVING WITHOUT A HOMELAND IS THE SAME AS LIVING WITHOUT
HONOR. AND IN SPANISH, (SPEAKING IN SPANISH). JUAN PABLO DUARTE.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. ALVAREZ ON THE
RESOLUTION.
MR. ALVAREZ: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, FOR
ALLOWING ME TO TALK ON THIS RESOLUTION. MUCH LIKE THE CONSTITUENTS THAT
I'M SO DEEPLY HONORED TO REPRESENT FROM THE BEAUTIFUL 78TH ASSEMBLY
6
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
DISTRICT LOCATED IN THE NORTHWEST OF BRONX, JUAN PABLO DUARTE WAS
BORN INTO A HUMBLE WORKING CLASS IN 1813. IF JUAN PABLO DUARTE WERE
ALIVE TODAY, HE WOULD ADVOCATE FOR A BETTER NEW YORK STATE, A BETTER
BRONX AND IS IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF HIS VISION THAT I'M FIGHTING FOR
THE 78TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT. IF HE WERE ALIVE, HE WOULD BOLDLY FIGHT FOR
A BETTER, FAIR AND MORE JUST 78 ASSEMBLY DISTRICT FOR ALL. HE WILL FIGHT
TO KEEP NEW YORK AND AMERICANS SAFE, CLEAN AND SUSTAINABLE, JUST LIKE
WE ARE DOING HERE, AND HE WILL BE TIRELESS IN HIS FIGHT JUST LIKE YOU, MR.
SPEAKER, AND JUST LIKE ALL OF THE COLLEAGUES THAT I'M PRIVILEGED TO SERVE
WITH. (SPEAKING IN SPANISH). THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING
AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. 799, MS. ROZIC.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM JANUARY 27, 2024, AS HOLOCAUST
REMEMBRANCE DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. ROZIC ON THE
RESOLUTION.
MS. ROZIC: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER AND MADAM
MAJORITY LEADER. THIS PAST SATURDAY, JANUARY 27TH, MARKED THE 79TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION OF AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU, THE LARGEST NAZI
DEATH CAMP WHERE 1.1 MILLION PEOPLE WERE KILLED. IN 2005, THE UNITED
NATIONS DESIGNATED THIS DAY AS INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE
DAY. EVERY YEAR I GET UP HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT DATE AND ITS
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
SIGNIFICANCE AND TO RECALL SIMILAR PUNCTUATED MOMENTS OF TRAGEDY.
THIS YEAR HOWEVER, I'M AT A LOSS. NEVER DID I THINK THAT NEVER AGAIN
WOULD BE NEVER AGAIN IS NOW. THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IS AT A LOSS.
THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN FULL OF LOSS. NOT A LOSS OF WORDS BECAUSE THERE
ARE SO MANY WORDS THROWN AT US AND USED TO DESCRIBE US, CARELESS AND
HATEFUL WORDS, AND THESE WORDS SEEM TO BE EVERYWHERE, ON COLLEGE
CAMPUSES, ONLINE FORUMS AND E-MAIL INBOXES, SCHOOL HALLWAYS,
SIDEWALKS AND SUBWAYS. ON INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE
DAY, WE SHOULD REMEMBER NOT JUST THE UNIMAGINABLE ATROCITIES OF THE
NAZIS, BUT ALSO STAY AWARE OF HOW QUICKLY ANTI-SEMITIC THOUGHTS AND
WORDS LEAD TO VIOLENCE. IF HISTORY HAS TAUGHT US ANYTHING, IT'S THAT HATE
CAN QUIETLY EXIST FOR A VERY LONG TIME UNTIL IT SUDDENLY EXPLODES. THE
HOLOCAUST DID NOT BEGIN WITH AUSCHWITZ AND THE NAZI DEATH CAMPS.
THAT IS WHERE THE ROAD OF LIFE FOR MANY JEWS, MILLIONS OF JEWS ENDED.
RATHER, IT BEGAN WITH WORDS AND SINGLING OUT AND DEHUMANIZING AN
ENTIRE GROUP OF PEOPLE - JEWS, WHILE SO MANY LOOKED THE OTHER WAY OR
WORSE, EXCUSED OR JUSTIFIED IT. AUSCHWITZ SURVIVOR PRIMO LEVI
FAMOUSLY WROTE, "MONSTERS EXIST, BUT THEY ARE TOO FEW IN NUMBER TO BE
TRULY DANGEROUS. MORE DANGEROUS ARE THE COMMON MEN, THE
FUNCTIONARIES READY TO BELIEVE AND TO ACT WITHOUT ASKING QUESTIONS."
HOW RELEVANT ARE HIS WORDS TODAY? AS SO MANY CONTINUE TO REMAIN
SILENT OR WORSE YET, SEEK TO MINIMIZE, JUSTIFY OR DEFLECT FROM THE REALITY
OF NEVER-ENDING ANTI-SEMITISM. WE HAVE NOT ESCAPED THIS PAST.
ANTI-SEMITISM AND DISCRIMINATION CONTINUE TO DESTROY THE LOCAL
COMMUNITIES VIOLATING OUR COLLECTIVE HUMANITY AND SAFETY. AT THIS
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
MOMENT, PEOPLE IN THE JEWISH STATE ARE FACING UNIMAGINABLE HORRORS
AND ARE CONTINUALLY SUBJECTED TO EXTREME VIOLENCE. JEWISH PEOPLE
ACROSS THE WORLD ARE LIVING IN FEAR. OUR FAMILIES, OUR STUDENTS, OUR
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LEFT SEARCHING FOR SAFETY. JEWS MAKE UP 2.5 PERCENT
OF THE AMERICAN POPULATION, YET THEY ARE TARGETS, MORE THAN 60 PERCENT
OF ALL RELIGIOUSLY-BASED HATE CRIMES. AMIDST A SPIKE OF HATE CRIMES,
THE NYPD ACTUALLY RECORDED AROUND 68 PERCENT OF ALL RECORDED
INCIDENTS IN NEW YORK CITY WERE ANTI-JEWISH INCIDENTS. IN ALBANY
JUST THIS PAST MONTH, A MAN WAS CHARGED BY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
FOR FIRING A SHOTGUN AT A SYNAGOGUE. LOOKING BACK IS NOT ENOUGH.
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED IN ALL THESE YEARS? HAVE WE REALLY LEARNED
ANYTHING? WHEN SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED BECAUSE OF VIOLENT THREATS, WHEN
OVER THE COURSE OF ONE WEEKEND MORE THAN 400 JEWISH FACILITIES ACROSS
THE US RECEIVED FALSE BOMB THREATS. WHEN JEWISH STUDENTS ON CAMPUS
ARE BULLIED AND ASSAULTED JUST FOR BEING JEWISH. WHEN CONGREGANTS ARE
HARASSED AND HAVE WATER THROWN ON THEM AS THEY LEAVE SYNAGOGUE THIS
PAST SATURDAY AFTERNOON. JEWISH INSTITUTIONS ARE VANDALIZED,
ANTI-SEMANTIC SLOGANS CHANTED. JEWISH TEACHERS THREATENED. IT IS AN
INTOLERABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE REALITY THAT JEWS TODAY ARE AFRAID TO GO TO
SCHOOL, TO TAKE THE TRAIN, TO BE ON CAMPUS OR TO WALK DOWN THE STREET.
GIVEN THE NATURE OF ANTI-SEMITISM, OUR RESPONSE TO IT
MUST BE COMPREHENSIVE. THE NEED FOR REMEMBRANCE, EDUCATION AND
ACTION HAS NEVER BEEN MORE CRITICAL. THIS INCLUDES NOT ONLY
EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS LIKE PROMOTING AWARENESS FOR JEWISH HERITAGE, THE
HOLOCAUST AND THE DANGERS OF ANTI-SEMITISM IN SCHOOLS, WORKPLACES
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. THERE IS ALSO NEED FOR CLEAR LEGISLATIVE AND
LEGAL ACTION AGAINST EXTREMISM AND TERRORISM. DANGEROUS IDEOLOGIES
MUST NOT BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO SPREAD. WE MUST CONFRONT THE
DANGEROUS CONSPIRACIES AND DENIALISM WE'VE SEEN SWARMING. I'M
ALMOST DONE, MR. SPEAKER. DARA HORN WROTE A BRILLIANT BOOK RECENTLY
CALLED PEOPLE LOVE DEAD JEWS. I INVITE YOU ALL TO PICK UP A COPY. IT
SHOULD CHALLENGE YOU NOT TO JUST FOCUS ON DEAD JEWS, BUT MORE
IMPORTANTLY THE LIVING. WE MUST USE THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE,
MEMORY AND EMPATHY TO STEER SOCIETY AWAY FROM A PATH OF HATRED,
DIVISION AND BIGOTRY. THE REAL TEST OF YOUR MORAL COURAGE AND
CONVICTION AND CHARACTER IS NOT ONLY WHETHER YOU MOURN OVER DEAD
JEWS AND TO CRY THE PAST EVILS, IT IS WHETHER YOU ARE STANDING BESIDE THE
LIVING ONES. WHETHER YOU ARE DEFENDING THE LIVE ONES, THOSE WHO ARE
UNDER ATTACK TODAY AND EVERY DAY. THE FIGHT AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM IS
NEVER COMPLETE, BUT MUST VIGOROUSLY CONTINUE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
OTHERWISE, WE ARE ALL JUST LOST. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
MR. EICHENSTEIN.
(APPLAUSE)
MR. EICHENSTEIN: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, FOR
ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON THIS RESOLUTION AND I WANT TO THANK THE
SPONSOR FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION TO THE FLOOR. HOLOCAUST
REMEMBRANCE DAY IS NOT JUST ANOTHER DAY ON THE ASSEMBLY CALENDAR.
IT'S MEANINGFUL, IT'S SIGNIFICANT, AND IT'S VITAL TO KEEPING THE MEMORY
ALIVE. FOR YEARS NOW WE'VE BEEN COMMEMORATING HOLOCAUST
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
REMEMBRANCE DAY AT THE STATE ASSEMBLY. WE'VE SPOKEN MANY TIMES
ABOUT THE DANGERS OF ANTI-SEMITISM, THE HORRORS OF THE HOLOCAUST, THE
PLEDGE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE FORCES OF EVIL. WE SHARE STORIES OF PERSONAL
EXPERIENCES FROM SURVIVORS WHO ARE AGING BUT ARE STILL KEEPING THE
MEMORIES ALIVE FOR ALL OF US. AND I THINK WE ALL UNDERSTOOD THE
IMPORTANCE OF NEVER ALLOWING ANYTHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN EVER AGAIN.
AND THEN CAME OCTOBER 7TH, THE WORST ATROCITY AGAINST THE JEWISH
PEOPLE SINCE THE HOLOCAUST. FOR JEWS ALL OVER THE WORLD, EVERYTHING
HAS CHANGED. OUR WORLD CHANGED. SO THIS YEAR, HOLOCAUST
REMEMBRANCE DAY TAKES ON A NEW URGENCY. NEVER AGAIN HAS A WHOLE
NEW MEANING. ANTI-SEMITISM HAS BECOME VERY REAL, VERY CURRENT AND
VERY SCARY. A MODERN VERSION OF THE BATTLE AGAINST THE JEWISH PEOPLE
IS BEING PLAYED OUT ON OUR COLLEGE CAMPUSES, ON OUR STREETS AND ON
SOCIAL MEDIA ALL WHILE THE WORLD IS TURNING A BLIND EYE. IT'S REAL, IT'S
FRIGHTENING AND IT'S VERY REMINISCENT OF WHAT TOOK PLACE JUST OVER 80
YEARS AGO IN CITIES AND TOWNS THROUGHOUT EUROPE. I DON'T WANT TO
HIJACK THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY BY SPEAKING
ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS. SIX MILLION INNOCENT JEWS WERE TAKEN DURING
THAT HORRIFIC ERA AS WERE OTHER MINORITIES AND THE DISABLED, BUT IF WE
DON'T LEARN FROM THE PAST, WE ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT THE SAME MISTAKES.
WE MUST NOT IGNORE. WE MUST NOT TURN AWAY AND WE MUST NOT ALLOW
FOR EVIL TO FLOURISH. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE
1930S IF MORE WOULD HAVE SPOKEN OUT, OR IF WORLD LEADERS WOULD HAVE
INTERVENED. PERHAPS IT WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE. BUT I DO KNOW,
NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL OF US TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST HATE, AGAINST
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
ANTI-SEMITISM, RACISM, DISCRIMINATION AND BIAS IN ANY FORM, AND BY
THAT I MEAN ALL HATE. LET US REMEMBER THE FAMOUS QUOTE WRITTEN BY
PASTOR MARTIN NIEMÖLLER. FIRST THEY CAME FOR THE COMMUNISTS, AND I
DID NOT SPEAK OUT - BECAUSE I WASN'T A COMMUNIST. THEN THEY CAME
FOR THE SOCIALISTS, AND I DID NOT SPEAK OUT - BECAUSE I WASN'T A
SOCIALIST.
THEN THEY CAME FOR THE TRADE UNIONISTS, AND I DID NOT SPEAK OUT -
BECAUSE I WASN'T A TRADE UNIONIST. THEN THEY CAME FOR THE JEWS, AND I
DID NOT SPEAK OUT - BECAUSE I WASN'T A JEW. THEN THEY CAME FOR ME,
AND THERE WAS NO ONE LEFT TO SPEAK OUT ON MY BEHALF, END QUOTE. WE
MUST SPEAK OUT. WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES, WE OWE IT TO OUR CHILDREN, WE
OWE IT TO OUR GRANDCHILDREN. MOST OF ALL, WE OWE IT TO THE MILLIONS OF
INNOCENT SOULS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF UNFATHOMABLE HATE. NEVER AGAIN IS
NOW. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
(APPLAUSE)
MS. LEVENBERG.
MS. LEVENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE
ALSO TO RECOGNIZE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY AND
ACKNOWLEDGE THE THOUGHTS THAT MY COLLEAGUES SHARED. I HAVE ALSO
SHARED THE STORY OF MY OWN FAMILY ON MY MOTHER'S SIDE, SPECIFICALLY
THAT MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER -- I'M SORRY, MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER JULIUS
SCHMIDT PERISHED IN BERGEN-BELSEN AT THE HANDS OF THE NAZIS AS ONE OF
THE SIX MILLION JEWS SYSTEMATICALLY KILLED BECAUSE THEY WERE JEWISH.
THIS YEAR THE DUTCH GOVERNMENT MEMORIALIZED HIS LIFE WITH A SPECIAL
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
STONE PLACED IN FRONT OF THE LOCATION OF THE BUTCHER SHOP IN
AMSTERDAM, WHICH MY GRANDPARENTS OWNED BEFORE THEY WERE SENT INTO
HIDING. TRIEN FREEK AND WILLIE RIJS SAVED MY GRANDPARENTS EDITH AND
ERNST BAER IN BERKHOUT IN NORTHERN HOLLAND. AND MARIA CORNELIUS
AND CORNELIA SCHOUTEN SAVED MY MOTHER LORE BAER IN OOSTERBLOKKER
ALSO IN NORTHERN HOLLAND. THESE BRAVE PEOPLE PUT THEIR OWN LIVES ON
THE LINE TO SAVE OTHERS WHO HAD BEEN OSTRACIZED. AND WHEN MY
GRANDPARENTS CAME TO THIS COUNTRY IN THE LATE '40S, THEY WERE
WELCOMED IN AND FOUND A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP IN NEW YORK. THE
GERMAN GOVERNMENT OFFERED THEM REPARATIONS TO MAKE UP FOR THEIR
LOSS. THESE ACTIONS AND MY FAMILY HISTORY INFORMED MY BELIEF IN THE
IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND NOT JUST REMEMBERING BUT MAKING
AMENDS FOR THE WRONGS OF THE PAST. AS WE REMEMBER THIS DAY, WE
KNOW WE MUST STAND UP AGAINST HATE AND DEMAGOGUERY, ANTI-SEMITISM,
AND INSTEAD STAND FOR LOVE AND EMPATHY AND THE BELIEF IN THE GOOD OF
HUMANITY IF WE ALL COME TOGETHER. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
MR. ARI BROWN.
MR. A. BROWN: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND
THANK YOU TO ASSEMBLYWOMAN ROZIC FOR PUTTING THIS RESOLUTION
TOGETHER. HOW APROPOS THAT THIS PAST WEEK'S TORAH PORTION FROM THE
BOOK OF EXODUS FALLS OUT ON THE TIME OF HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY.
THE TEXT GOES (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE). THE EGYPTIANS PURSUED THE
CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AND CAME AFTER THEM WITH ALL THE PHARAOH’S HORSES,
HIS CHARIOTS AND HIS HORSEMEN TO DRIVE THEM INTO THE SEA. SOUNDS
13
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
FAMILIAR. WE SAY IN REGARDS TO THE HOLOCAUST NEVER AGAIN, BUT IN FACT
AS WE HAVE SEEN AFTER OCTOBER 7TH, IT ALWAYS COMES. SO ON THIS
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY, WE STILL WISH FOR NEVER AGAIN, BUT JUST
REMEMBER HOW THE STORY ALWAYS ENDS. THE OUTCOME IS ALWAYS THE
SAME, WHETHER THE EGYPTIANS, THE NAZIS, OR FROM TODAY'S TERRORISTS, THE
TEXT CONTINUES IN THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION, (SPEAKING FOREIGN
LANGUAGE). AND THE WATERS RETURNED AND COVERED THE CHARIOTS AND THE
HORSEMEN AND THE ENTIRE FORCE OF PHARAOH ENDED UP THEMSELVES IN THE
SEA, NOT EVEN ONE OF THEM SURVIVED.
THERE ARE THOSE THAT CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE JEWISH
PEOPLE INTO THE SEA, BUT IN FACT, AS HISTORY HAS PROVEN, THEY ARE THE ONLY
ONES LEFT STANDING. SO I SAY, NEVER FORGET. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
(APPLAUSE)
MS. RAJKUMAR ON THE RESOLUTION.
MS. RAJKUMAR: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. TO BE
CLEAR FOR ANYONE THAT WOULD DENY THAT THE HOLOCAUST ACTUALLY
HAPPENED, FOR THE RECORD, LET ME STATE THAT THE HOLOCAUST WAS THE
GENOCIDE OF EUROPEAN JEWS. DURING WORLD WAR II BETWEEN 1941 AND
1945, NAZI GERMANY SYSTEMATICALLY MURDERED SIX MILLION JEWS. THAT
WAS TWO-THIRDS OF EUROPE'S JEWISH POPULATION, MURDERED. IT HAPPENED
80 YEARS AGO. IT IS NOW THE YEAR OF 2024, AND YET VIOLENT ANTI-SEMITISM
REMAINS ON THE RISE. WE MUST STAND AGAINST THIS HATRED.
SINCE OCTOBER THERE HAS BEEN A 361 PERCENT INCREASE
IN ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENTS. NATIONALLY, A MAJORITY OF RELIGION-MOTIVATED
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
HATE CRIMES ARE AGAINST PEOPLE OF THE JEWISH FAITH. IT IS THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL OF US TO COMBAT ALL SUGGESTIONS OF ANTI-SEMITISM.
IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO SAY NEVER AGAIN WILL THE WORLD ALLOW ANOTHER
HOLOCAUST. AND WE NEED DO A BETTER JOB. WE CANNOT BE INDIFFERENT.
AS ELIE WIESEL ONCE SAID, THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE IS NOT HATE, IT IS
INDIFFERENCE. THE OPPOSITE OF LIFE IS NOT DEATH, IT IS INDIFFERENCE.
LAST YEAR I VISITED YAD VASHEM, THE HOLOCAUST
MEMORIAL IN ISRAEL WHERE I LEARNED OF IRENA SENDLER, A YOUNG WOMAN
WHO RISKED HER LIFE TO SMUGGLE JEWISH CHILDREN TO SAFETY DURING THE
HOLOCAUST. MAY WE ALL ASPIRE TO HAVE SUCH INCREDIBLE COURAGE IN THE
FACE OF HATRED, BECAUSE WHEN ONE GROUP IS SCAPEGOATED AND TARGETED,
ANY GROUP COULD BE NEXT. HATE CRIMES AGAINST MUSLIM AMERICANS AND
ASIAN AMERICANS SPIKED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. IF WE ALLOW
ANTI-SEMITISM TO CONTINUE, ANY GROUP COULD BE NEXT.
A 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL NAMED ANNE FRANK WAS SENT TO HER
DEATH IN A NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMP. JUST BEFORE THAT, SHE FAMOUSLY
WROTE IN HER DIARY THESE WORDS: "IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING, I STILL BELIEVE
THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY GOOD AT HEART." LET US PROVE HER RIGHT AND SHOW
THAT IN 2024, PEOPLE REALLY ARE GOOD AT HEART. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
MR. ZACCARO ON THE RESOLUTION.
MR. ZACCARO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY OBSERVED ON JANUARY 27TH
EVERY YEAR MARKS THE DATE IN 1945 OF THE LIBERATION OF AUSCHWITZ WITH
2024 MARKING AS ITS 29TH -- 79TH ANNIVERSARY. IT WAS JUST THIS TIME LAST
15
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
YEAR WHEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT YAD VASHEM IN ISRAEL, AND
THERE ARE FEW EVENTS RECORDED IN HUMAN HISTORY THAT MATCHED THE
HORRORS OF THE HOLOCAUST. THE SYSTEMATIC PERSECUTION, FORCED
DEPORTATION, ENSLAVEMENT AND MURDER OF MILLIONS OF JEWISH MEN,
WOMEN AND CHILDREN ACROSS EUROPE BY THE NAZIS SHOCKED OUR
COLLECTIVE CONSCIENCE EVEN DECADES LATER. AND FOR SOME IN NEW YORK
THE TRAUMA INFLICTED ON THEM AND THEIR LOVED ONES, THEIR NEIGHBORS AND
THEIR FRIENDS DURING THE HOLOCAUST, THEY STILL FEEL EVERY SINGLE DAY.
AND AS WE REMEMBER THOSE WHO PERISHED DURING THE HOLOCAUST AND
HAD THEIR LIVES -- AND THOSE WHO HAD THEIR LIVES INREPAIRABLY [SIC]
CHANGED WE MUST NEVER FORGET THE PAIN -- THE PAIN OF THAT CHAPTER IN
OUR PAST. WE MUST ALSO DO WHAT MUST BE DONE TODAY SO THAT NO NEW
YORKER EVER LIVES IN FEAR OF PERSECUTION, OF HATRED AND BIGOTRY ON THE
BASIS OF THEIR RELIGION OR FOR ANY REASON. TODAY WE DON'T ONLY
REMEMBER THOSE WE LOST, BUT REMEMBER THOSE WHO STILL LIVE WITH THE
PAIN OF THESE EVENTS AND THOSE WHO STILL FACE ANTI-SEMITISM TODAY.
AND I WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR TODAY FOR THIS RESOLUTION, AND I RISE IN
SUPPORT AND THANK THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR.
SPEAKER.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, SIR.
MR. EACHUS.
MR. EACHUS: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. ON THE
RESOLUTION. I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE FOR PUTTING FORTH THIS
RESOLUTION AND ESPECIALLY FOR NAMING IT HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY,
BECAUSE TRULY THIS HORRIFIC EVENT MUST BE REMEMBERED. AND BY
16
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
REMEMBERED, WE DON'T MEAN JUST IN THE PAST, WE MEAN IN THE PRESENT
AND FOR THE FUTURE. I, TOO, WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND A PIECE OF
LITERATURE THAT WE SHOULD ALL READ. I'VE READ IT SEVERAL TIMES, IT IS CALLED
NIGHT BY ELIE WIESEL. IT'S ONLY A HUNDRED PAGES LONG, BUT IT'LL GIVE YOU
A GOOD CLUE ON HOW THIS HORRIFIC EVENT OCCURRED. IT SHOWS THE LACK OF
CARING, THE APATHY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE NON-BELIEF OF WHAT WAS
REALLY HAPPENING THERE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THERE STILL ARE DENIERS AND
UN-BELIEVERS OF THE HOLOCAUST. AND TO ALL OF THOSE FOLKS I SAY VISIT
AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU AND YOU WILL SEE THE TRUTH, THE HORRIBLE TRUTH.
THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
MS. GLICK ON THE RESOLUTION.
MS. GLICK: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT TO
COMMEND THE SPONSOR OF THE RESOLUTION FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. IT IS
A DIFFICULT TIME. WE REMEMBER THE HORRORS. WE WONDER HOW IT IS
POSSIBLE HOW SO MANY PEOPLE LOST THEIR BASIC SENSE OF HUMANITY. HOW
WAS IT POSSIBLE? BUT WE KNOW THAT THROUGH HISTORY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN
BRUTAL TO EACH OTHER. TRIBAL DIFFERENCES HAVE RESULTED IN UNSPEAKABLE
HORRORS. BUT THIS WAS A SO-CALLED CIVILIZED NATION THAT ORGANIZED THE
MECHANISMS AND CREATED A SYSTEMATIC ATTEMPT TO ELIMINATE A PEOPLE. IT
IS ALMOST BEYOND BELIEF, EXCEPT IT HAPPENED, AND IT HAPPENED AS GOOD
PEOPLE TURNED AWAY. AND IT HAS REARED ITS UGLY HEAD WHEN THERE ARE
PEOPLE INVITED TO SPEAK WHO DENY THAT IT EVER OCCURRED. AND SO
DESPITE EVERYTHING WE KNOW, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DENY AND IT IS WHY
WE MUST STAND HERE TODAY AND EVERY YEAR ON HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
DAY TO SAY IT HAPPENED, IT WAS EVIL AND TOO MANY PEOPLE EMBRACED THAT
EVIL.
AND THE EVENTS OF THIS PAST OCTOBER HAVE SHAKEN
MANY OF US. MY NIECE IN VIRGINIA SAID SHE DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE
PUTTING HER MENORAH IN THE WINDOW. AND THERE ARE MANY JEWS WHO
HAVE LIKEWISE TAKEN A STEP BACK BECAUSE OF FEAR. I HEARD A STORY ON
NPR THAT WAS ABOUT A JEWISH AND GENTILE CHORAL GROUP THAT I NEVER
HEARD OF. MEN WHO TRAVELED AND APPARENTLY WERE VERY WIDELY KNOWN
AND SOLD LOTS OF RECORDS IN THE LATE 1920S AND EARLY '30S BUT THEN HAD TO
DISBAND. AND THE WIFE OF ONE OF THEM, BECAUSE THE SURVIVOR IS LIVING
IN CALIFORNIA, THE WIFE SAID SHE WAS NOT JEWISH, HER HUSBAND WAS. AND
SHE SAID AT THE TIME, THE PROBLEM WAS THAT JEWS WERE TOO HOPEFUL AND
NOT FEARFUL ENOUGH. AND TODAY THERE ARE MANY MORE JEWS WHO ARE
FEARFUL. I WANT TO BE ONE OF THOSE WHO'S HOPEFUL. BUT I HAVE TO SAY
THAT WE NEED GOOD PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE EVERYONE'S HUMANITY.
EVERYONE'S HUMANITY. AND TO STAND UP AGAINST THE FORCES OF EVIL THAT
SEEK TO DIVIDE AND DEMONIZE. AND IT IS ALWAYS EASY TO CARVE SOME
GROUP OF PEOPLE OUT OF HUMANITY. AND WE CANNOT AS GOOD PEOPLE
ALLOW ANY GROUP TO BE CARVED OUT OF HUMANITY. THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
(APPLAUSE)
MR. RA ON THE RESOLUTION.
MR. RA: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AND I WANT TO
THANK THE SPONSOR FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD. LIKE SEVERAL OF
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
MY COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE SPOKEN, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL TO
ISRAEL ALMOST A YEAR AGO NOW WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT THERE'S A
COUPLE OF MEMORIES OF THAT TRIP AND WE HAVE LOTS OF THEM BUT THE
THINGS THAT ARE KIND OF, YOU KNOW, BURNED INTO MY BRAIN. AND ONE OF
THEM WAS, AS MY COLLEAGUE MENTIONED, WE VISITED THE HOLOCAUST
REMEMBRANCE CENTER, AND ONE OF THE LAST THINGS WE DID ON THAT TRIP
WAS GO INTO THE CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL. AND YOU GO IN AND IT'S DARK WITH
JUST LIGHTS, CANDLES, LIGHTS, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL THEM, AND THEY
GO UP AS HIGH AS YOUR EYES CAN GO FOLLOWING THEM. IT'S ONE OF THE MOST
MOVING THINGS THAT I'VE EVER SEEN TO THINK ABOUT. ALL THOSE LIVES OF
CHILDREN THAT WERE EXTINGUISHED DURING THE HOLOCAUST WHO WOULD HAVE
DONE WHO KNOWS WHAT IN THEIR LIVES. BEEN WORLD LEADERS, BEEN DOCTORS
WHO CURE DISEASES, COULD HAVE BEEN ANYTHING WITH THEIR WHOLE FUTURES
AHEAD OF THEM. AND THEN I THINK ABOUT A DAY OR TWO LATER WE WERE
VISITING THE KIBBUTZ KFAR AZZA, AND AS WE WERE LEAVING A GROUP OF OUR
COLLEAGUES SAW A GROUP OF CHILDREN PLAYING BASKETBALL AND -- AND, YOU
KNOW, JUMPED IN AND STARTED SHOOTING SOME BASKETS WITH THEM. AND IT
WAS ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS WHERE YOU REALIZE THAT CERTAIN THINGS ARE
JUST, YOU KNOW, UNIVERSAL, THAT YOU CAN CONNECT WITH SOMEBODY EVEN
WHETHER IF THERE'S A LANGUAGE BARRIER OR ANYTHING ELSE OR YOU'RE HALFWAY
ACROSS THE WORLD YOU CAN CONNECT WITH. THAT COMMUNITY WAS A VICTIM
OF UNSPEAKABLE ATROCITIES ON OCTOBER 7TH, AND CHILDREN THERE WERE
MURDERED ON THAT DAY. AND THAT KIND OF BRINGS THAT WHOLE THING
TOGETHER.
BUT ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT I RECALL ABOUT THAT TRIP
19
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
TO THAT REMEMBRANCE CENTER WAS THEM TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY'RE STILL TO
THIS DAY TRYING TO IDENTIFY VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST, AND -- AND HOW
REALLY THERE'S A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT WHEN ALL THESE YEARS LATER
THEY MANAGE TO PUT ANOTHER NAME TO A VICTIM. AND YOU THINK ABOUT
TODAY WHEN YOU HAVE HOSTAGES WHOSE NAMES AND FACES ARE ON POSTERS
AND PEOPLE THINK IT'S OKAY TO RIP THOSE DOWN. THE HOLOCAUST AND THOSE
ACTIONS TO ME ARE ABOUT ERASING THE MEMORY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS,
MAKING THEM NOT AN INDIVIDUAL, OR ERASING THEM FROM HAVING EXISTED.
SO I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO REMEMBER WHEN WE THINK ABOUT
THE OVER SIX MILLION JEWS THAT WERE MURDERED IN THE HOLOCAUST, AND
THAT'S WHY IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE PASS THESE RESOLUTIONS THAT WE BE THE
WITNESSES FOR EACH ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE -- WHO WERE LOST
AND WE CONTINUE TO SPEAK OUT IN THE FACE OF ANTI-SEMITISM SO THAT WE
KNOW THAT THOSE WHO UNFORTUNATELY ALL THOSE YEARS AGO DIDN'T HAVE
ANYBODY TO SPEAK OUT FOR THEM. WELL, WE HAVE TO SPEAK OUT FOR THEM
NOW. SO, THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I THANK THE SPONSOR FOR BRINGING
THIS FORWARD. I THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING IT.
(APPLAUSE)
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
MR. EPSTEIN ON THE RESOLUTION.
MR. EPSTEIN: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE IN
SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION. I WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR OF THIS
RESOLUTION AROUND HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY. AND SO THESE ARE
REALLY DIFFICULT TIMES AND WE THINK ABOUT 79 YEARS AFTER AUSCHWITZ AND
THE LOSS OF TEN MILLION PEOPLE AND SIX MILLION JEWS, AND I LOST FAMILY
20
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
MEMBERS IN THE HOLOCAUST AND IT'S, YOU KNOW -- AND HOW TRAUMATIZING
THAT WAS TO, YOU KNOW, MY GRANDFATHER TO LOSE HIS SIBLINGS AND -- BUT
IT'S BIGGER THAN THAT. IT IS ABOUT HATE ACROSS THE WORLD AND IT'S ABOUT
HOW WE CONFRONT HATE WITH DISINFORMATION THAT WE SEE EVERY SINGLE
DAY, WHETHER IT'S THE RISE IN ANTI-SEMITISM, THE RISE IN ISLAMOPHOBIA.
WE ALL HAVE A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK AT HATE AND TRY TO MAKE
A PATH FORWARD TO FOCUS ON WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER TO HOW TO AVOID
THESE KIND OF INCIDENTS. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT NEVER FORGETTING, WE'RE
NOT NEVER FORGETTING WHAT HAPPENED TO THE HOLOCAUST, YOU'RE NEVER
FORGETTING THE INHUMANITY OF HOW PEOPLE TREAT EACH OTHER. HOW
INHUMAN PEOPLE CAN BE TO SOMEONE WHO MAY LOOK DIFFERENT FROM THEM
OR SOMEONE WHO ACTS DIFFERENT FROM THEM, WHOSE FAMILY MIGHT BE
DIFFERENT THAN THEM. AND OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO EACH OTHER IS TO FIND THE
THINGS, THE COMMONALITIES AMONGST ALL OF US, AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY
WE'RE GOING TO DEAL WITH IT. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO DEAL
WITH FIGHTING THE RISE OF ANTI-ASIAN HATE, THE ANTI-SEMITISM AND
ISLAMOPHOBIA. AND SO HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY SHOULD MEAN
ONE THING TO US, WHICH IS HOW WE, INDIVIDUALLY, CAN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
TO AVOID THOSE HATE, TO BRING DOWN THE BARRIERS AND BRING PEOPLE
TOGETHER SO WHEN WE SAY NEVER FORGET IT'S BECAUSE WE ARE ACTIVELY
DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
MS. SEAWRIGHT ON THE RESOLUTION.
MS. SEAWRIGHT: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE
TO SPEAK ON THIS VITALITY IMPORTANT RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNOR TO
21
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
PROCLAIM JANUARY 27, 2024 AS INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE
DAY AND TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR HER DEDICATION. FROM THE 1930'S
UNTIL 1945 NAZI GERMANY AND ITS COLLABORATORS SYSTEMATICALLY
PERSECUTED AND MURDERED SIX MILLION JEWS AND MILLIONS OF OTHERS.
JEWS WERE FORCED TO WEAR YELLOW STARS AND BANNED FROM PUBLIC
SCHOOLS, BUT THE WORLD DID NOT OBJECT. JEWISH BUSINESSES AND
HOMEOWNERS LOST THEIR PROPERTIES AND BELONGINGS, YET THE WORLD DID NOT
RAISE ALARM. PEOPLE OF JEWISH HERITAGE OR FAITH WERE FORCED INTO
GHETTOS, BUT THE WORLD DID NOT STOP IT. JEWS WERE SENT ON TRAIN CARS TO
LABOR AND DEATH CAMPS, YET THE WORLD DID NOT INTERVENE. TWO-THIRDS OF
EUROPE'S JEWS WERE KILLED THROUGH THE NAZIS' INDUSTRIALIZED EFFORTS.
THE WORLD ACTED, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. THIS HORRIFIC AND UNPRECEDENTED
CRIME PROMPTED POLISH-JEWISH ATTORNEY AND SURVIVOR RAPHAEL LEMKIN
TO PROPOSE A NEW TERM, GENOCIDE; THE KILLING OF A PEOPLE WITH THE
INTENT TO DESTROY THEM IN PART OR IN WHOLE. DESPITE THIS INDISPUTABLE
AND IMMENSE -- THE IMMENSE EVIDENCE, MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEGUN
DOUBTING THE SCALE OF THE NAZIS ATROCITIES OR DENYING THEIR OCCURRENCE
ALL TOGETHER. FURTHERMORE, ANTI-SEMITISM AND ATTACKS ON JEWISH PEOPLE
HAVE CLIMBED TO HEIGHTS NOT SEEN SINCE THE HOLOCAUST. WE MUST BEAR
WITNESS TO THE TESTIMONIES OF THE REMAINING SURVIVORS BEFORE WE LOSE
THEM FOREVER. WE MUST EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN AND STUDENTS ABOUT THE
HORRORS OF THE SHOAH AND ITS PLEAS FOR THE FUTURE. IF THE WORLD LOOKS
AWAY, IF WE DO NOTHING, THEN THE PRESENT OR FURTHER COULD ECHO THE PAST.
NOW AND ALWAYS WE MUST STAND WITH THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND OTHER
GROUPS TO COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM AND NEVER LET A TRAGEDY LIKE THIS OCCUR
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
AGAIN. I PROUDLY CAST MY VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE ON THIS RESOLUTION.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
MR. BERGER.
MR. BERGER: THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO THANK MY
COLLEAGUE FOR SPONSORING THIS RESOLUTION. AND I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT
MY GRANDPARENTS TODAY TIBI AND SARA BERGER WHO BOTH SURVIVED THE
HOLOCAUST. MY GRANDFATHER GREW UP IN DEBRECEN, HUNGARY WITH ONE
BROTHER AND TWO SISTERS. HIS FATHER OWNED A GLASS AND MIRROR SHOP,
WHICH I HAVE A PICTURE OF IN MY OFFICE. SHORTLY AFTER HE FINISHED
PAYING THE MORTGAGE ON THAT STORE THE NAZIS CAME IN MARCH OF 1944
AND THEY TOOK THAT SHOP AWAY. THE NAZIS PUT MY GRANDFATHER AND HIS
FATHER INTO A LABOR CAMP WHERE THEY BUILT THE HIGH FENCES OF A GHETTO
THAT WAS TO BE THEIR PRISON. ALL FOR THE HEINOUS CRIME OF BEING A JEW.
AT ONE POINT THE NAZI SOLDIER WENT UP TO MY
GRANDFATHER AND HIT HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH HIS GUN CAUSING
MY GRANDFATHER PERMANENT HEARING LOSS IN ONE OF HIS EARS. MY
GRANDMOTHER GREW UP IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA WHERE HER FATHER AND HER
BROTHER WERE TAKEN TO CAMPS AND MURDERED. AND HER ELDEST SISTER RELA
FOR WHOM MY YOUNGER DAUGHTER IS NAMED AFTER, WAS EXPERIMENTED ON
BY THE NAZIS AND WAS UNABLE TO HAVE CHILDREN AS A RESULT. DESPITE ALL
OF THIS, I DIDN'T GROW UP THINKING OF MY GRANDPARENTS AS SURVIVORS. MY
GRANDPA USED TO TELL ME STORIES OF WHEN HE FIRST CAME TO AMERICA, HOW
HE HAD NOTHING. AND HE LIVED IN THE SUBWAY FOR WEEKS AND WEEKS AND
EVERY DAY HE WOULD GET UP, HE WOULD READ THE PAPER TO LEARN ENGLISH
AND HE WOULD APPLY FOR A JOB, AND HE WORKED AS WAITER, LIKE HIS FATHER
23
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
BEFORE HIM, HE WORKED MAKING GLASS. AT ONE POINT HE HAD A LITTLE BOAT
THAT HE WOULD SAIL AROUND CONEY ISLAND WHERE HE WOULD SELL ICE CREAM
AND SODA, UNTIL ONE NIGHT THERE WAS A STORM THAT CAME AND SANK HIS
BOAT. AND AS HE USED TO TELL ME, IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I EVER UNDERSTOOD
WHAT IT MEANT FOR A BUSINESS TO GO UNDER.
AFTER FLEEING THE NAZIS WITH HER MOTHER, MY
GRANDMOTHER MADE HER WAY TO ISRAEL. AND AT THE AGE OF 16 SHE LIED
ABOUT HER AGE SO SHE COULD JOIN THE ISRAELI ARMY BECAUSE SHE FELT IT
WAS IMPORTANT THAT SHE COULD PROTECT HER FAMILY AND JEWISH LIVES. MY
GRANDMOTHER DESPITE EVERYTHING THAT SHE'D BEEN THROUGH FIND A WAY TO
SMILE EVERY DAY. AND MY GRANDFATHER LEARNED THAT ALTHOUGH SOMEONE
CAN BEAT YOU IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD AND KNOCK YOU TO THE GROUND, YOU
CAN ALWAYS GET BACK UP. LIKE THE NAZIS AND THOSE WHO HAVE COME
BEFORE THEM AND THOSE WHO HAVE COME AFTERWARDS AS WE'VE SEEN WITH
HAMAS, MORE THAN KILLING THE JEWISH PEOPLE THESE DIFFERENT GROUPS
HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO EXTINGUISH THE JEWISH PEOPLES' WILL TO GO ON.
THEY'VE WANTED TO LEAVE US HOLLOW, BUT ALTHOUGH TRAGEDY CAN SHAPE US
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO DEFINE US. MY GREAT-GRANDPARENTS SURVIVED THE
HOLOCAUST BUT THEY WEREN'T SURVIVORS. THEY LIVED. THEY CAME TO
AMERICA AND THEY BUILT A HOME IN FOREST HILLS, QUEENS WITH THEIR THREE
SONS INCLUDING MY FATHER. THEY HAD 14 GRANDCHILDREN, MYSELF
INCLUDED, AND 24 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. ON THIS INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST
REMEMBRANCE DAY, I REMEMBER THEM AND I REMEMBER THE VALUES THEY
STOOD FOR. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
24
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
(APPLAUSE)
MR. LAVINE.
MR. LAVINE: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT TO
THANK SPEAKER CARL HEASTIE WHO HAS ISSUED A VERY COMPELLING
STATEMENT RECOGNIZING HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY. AND I ALSO WANT TO
THANK THE SPONSOR OF THIS RESOLUTION. I WAS VERY MOVED AS SHE SPOKE
WITH HER BEAUTIFUL LITTLE DAUGHTER RIGHT NEXT TO HER. NOW THERE IS A
SAYING AND EXPRESSION IN JEWISH CULTURE WHICH IS AM YISRAEL CHAI,
AND WHAT IT MEANS IS THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL LIVE. AM IS THE PEOPLE,
YISRAEL REFERS TO THE NATION OF ISRAEL OR THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, THE JEWS
AND CHAI MEANS LIVE. AND IT IS AN EXPRESSION OF HOPE. NOW I HAD
THOUGHT THAT THIS EXPRESSION HAD BEEN AROUND FOR CENTURIES, BUT AS IT
TURNS OUT, THIS EXPRESSION IS FIRST HEARD ON THE DAY THE BERGEN-BELSEN
CONCENTRATION CAMP WAS LIBERATED AND IT WAS RECORDED BY THE BBC
AND THAT'S WHAT THE SURVIVORS WE'RE SAYING. AM YISRAEL CHAI, THE
PEOPLE OF ISRAEL LIVE. NOW IN MY FAMILY, JUST VERY BRIEFLY. MOST OF
THOSE WHO CAME TO AMERICA LEFT THEIR EXTENDED FAMILIES BEHIND. NOT
ONE PERSON SURVIVED. THE NAZI RITUALIZED SLAUGHTER. NOT ONE. SO WE
KNOW THAT AS JEWS WE ARE WHAT MANY PEOPLE CALL THE OTHER. THAT'S NO
SECRET AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS FOR RISING ANTI-SEMITISM. THE
OTHER, IT'S ALWAYS EASY TO HAVE SOMEONE TO BE THE SCAPEGOAT. WELL, WE
JEWS HAVE FOUND REFUGE IN AMERICA. AND WE THOUGHT WE HAD FOUND
REFUGE IN ISRAEL AS WELL. AND WHY SHOULD WE NOT FIND REFUGE IN
AMERICA WHEN THIS IS THE HEART AND SOUL OF OUR NATION. WE HOLD THESE
TRUEST TO BE SELF-EVIDENT THAT EACH OF US IS CREATED EQUAL. EACH OF US IS
25
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
ENDOWED BY OUR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS INCLUDING LIFE,
LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. SO NOW WITH JEWS BEING -- JEWS
AND OTHER MINORITIES, MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES BEING THE OTHER AND
WITH THE DANGERS THAT ARE OPPOSED TO DEMOCRACY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
AND IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES AS WELL, I THINK THAT THE FUTURE
OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE AND THE FUTURE OF EVERY OTHER AMERICAN MINORITY
COMMUNITY ARE SO INEXTRICABLY INTERTWINED WITH THE FUTURE OF
DEMOCRACY THAT AS WE SAY IN JEWISH CULTURE AM YISRAEL CHAI, WE MAY
AS WELL TAKE A MOMENT AND SAY AM AMERICA CHAI AS WELL. THE PEOPLE
OF AMERICA MUST LIVE.
I THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE THIS WITH YOU AND I'M
VERY IMPRESSED THAT PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING ON THIS RESOLUTION ON BOTH
SIDES OF THE AISLE. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
(APPLAUSE)
MR. WEPRIN ON THE RESOLUTION.
MR. WEPRIN: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THANK YOU
FOR THE SPONSOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD. JUST YESTERDAY IN
COMMEMORATION OF HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY, I HAD NINE
SURVIVORS OF THE HOLOCAUST IN MY DISTRICT AT A PARTICULAR EVENT, WE HAD
A NUMBER OF OUR COLLEAGUES WERE THERE, BUT THE AMAZING THING OF ALL
NINE SURVIVORS AND THEY RANGED IN AGE FROM 90 TO 103. AND THREE
INDIVIDUALS WERE OVER 100. A HUNDRED, 101, AND 103. BUT THE ONE
THING THAT THEY ALL SAID ABOUT THEIR LIVES IS THAT THEY WANT TO LIVE LONGER
SO THEY CAN TELL THE STORY, THEIR STORIES SO PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER AND
26
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
NOT FORGET. WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY HOLOCAUST DENIERS AND
WE'VE HEARD ABOUT IT. THERE ARE EVEN DENIERS OF THE OCTOBER 7TH
ATTACK, WHICH WAS JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO. AND THE ANTI-SEMITISM IN
THIS COUNTRY AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD HAS RISEN VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT
HAPPENED IN NAZI GERMANY PRIOR TO THE HOLOCAUST. SO IT'S BEEN
BUILDING AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL SPEAK OUT THAT WE ALL
REMEMBER AND MAKE SURE THAT THE HOLOCAUST NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.
THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
MR. HEVESI.
MR. HEVESI: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AND THANK
YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES AND ESPECIALLY ASSEMBLYMEMBER ROZIC FOR
BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION.
SO I'M ASHAMED OF MY OWN BEHAVIOR OVER THE LAST
COUPLE YEARS AND I WANT TO EXPLAIN WHY. I'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR
19 YEARS AND I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER SPOKEN ON A
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE RESOLUTION, AND I'M ASHAMED OF THAT. AND LET
ME TELL YOU WHY. I AM THE SON OF CAROLYN STANTON, A CATHOLIC MOTHER
AND ALAN HEVESI WHO WAS A FORMER MEMBER OF THIS CHAMBER WHO WAS
NOT ONLY JEWISH BUT ALSO A PROMINENT JEW IN NEW YORK STATE. AND FOR
MANY YEARS I SAT IN AWE AND DEFERENCE TO HIS ABILITY TO SPEAK ON THESE
TOPICS. SO MY FATHER HAS TAKEN TRIPS OF LEGISLATORS TO ISRAEL, HE'S BEEN
THERE OVER 28 TIMES, MY FATHER JUST RECENTLY PASSED, BUT HIS LEGACY WAS
SUCH THAT IT DETERRED ME FROM EVEN ATTEMPTING TO GET INTO THIS ALMOST
IMPOSSIBLE TOPIC TO DEAL WITH. HE BROUGHT LEGISLATORS TO ISRAEL. HE
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NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
WENT TO BITBURG TO PROTEST RONALD REGAN GOING TO THE SAME CEMETERIES
AS -- AS THE NAZIS WERE BURIED IN AND HIS SINGULAR GREATEST
ACHIEVEMENT, I BELIEVE, IN ELECTED OFFICE, AND I'M PROUD OF THIS ONE, I
WANT TO MENTION IT, IS HE AS STATE COMPTROLLER ORGANIZED 900 FINANCIAL
OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, BROUGHT THAT POWER TO BEAR ON THE
SWISS BANKS TO SAY LISTEN, WE KNOW -- WE KNOW THAT THERE IS JEWELS
AND MONEY STOLEN FROM JEWS DURING THE HOLOCAUST AND YOU'RE GOING TO
HAVE TO PAY THEM BACK. AND AFTER YEARS OF FIGHTING IT DIDN'T HAPPEN,
WE DON'T HAVE IT, EVERY LIE THAT THEY COULD COME UP WITH, THEY PAID THAT
RESTITUTION, FOLLOWED BY FRANCE, FOLLOWED BY THE OTHER EUROPEAN
COUNTRIES. GREAT ACHIEVEMENT FOR MY FATHER AND I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD.
AND I SAT HERE AS A KID SAYING TO MYSELF, I COULD NEVER HOPE TO ACHIEVE
ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WELL, THAT WASN'T THE POINT. AND THE POINT WAS TO
RAISE YOUR VOICE AS A GOOD HUMAN BEING LIKE SO MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES
ARE TODAY WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING IS WRONG. AND IT'S ESPECIALLY
DANGEROUS NOW. SO I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF MY OWN
FAMILY. FIFTY-FIVE MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY WERE MURDERED IN THE
HOLOCAUST, SLAUGHTERED. MY DAD'S FATHER, WHO WAS A HUNGARIAN
DIPLOMAT, WAS TOLD BY HIS FATHER WHO WAS THE GRAND RABBI OF
HUNGARY, STAY IN AMERICA. SOMEBODY HAS TO SURVIVE BECAUSE WE'RE
GOING TO BE KILLED. SO NOW I'M AN ELECTED OFFICIAL SITTING HERE SAYING
LOOK AT THE PARALLELS BETWEEN NOW AND PRIOR TO NAZI GERMANY. WE
HAVE PEOPLE USING THE TERM "GLOBALISTS" ANY CHANCE THEY CAN.
GLOBALISTS, AS IF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO
ARE EVEN IN THIS BODY WHO ARE COMFORTABLE SAYING YEAH -- WHAT IS IT
28
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
PUSH THE JEWS INTO THE SEA, WHATEVER THE DISGUSTING PHRASE IS. WE
HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE HOLDING UP NAZI SYMBOLS WHEN THEY GO TO
PROTEST. WE HAVE THE UGLIEST, UGLIEST OF ANTI-SEMITISM YOU CAN SEE.
WE EVEN HAVE ANTI-SEMITISM SO DISGUSTING THAT A TERRORIST GROUP
INITIATES THEIR ACTION WITH WAR CRIMES, WAR CRIMES. THE KIND OF THING I
CAN'T BELIEVE. THEN YOU LOOK BACK HOME I'VE GOT COMMUNITIES THAT ARE
SCARED. KIDS IN YESHIVAS THAT ARE SCARED. WE'VE GOT A TEACHER IN
ASSEMBLYMAN DAVID WEPRIN'S DISTRICT WHO WAS CHASED AROUND BY
OTHER KIDS, OKAY, BECAUSE SHE'S JEWISH AND SHE SAID SHE WAS IN ISRAEL. I
CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT'S HAPPENING. IT'S SHAMEFUL OF MY OWN BEHAVIOR THAT
IT TOOK TO THIS CRITICAL MASS FOR ME TO COME HERE AND TELL YOU NEVER
AGAIN, WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET IT HAPPEN. AND I'LL TELL YOU ONE OTHER
THING THAT MY FATHER IMPARTED TO ME AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE POPULAR IN
THIS TIME, BUT HE SAID THAT THE HAND THAT GETS RAISED AGAINST THE JEWISH
PEOPLE SHOULD BE CUT OFF AND I AGREE. AND SO I WILL DO THE BEST I CAN IN
THE FUTURE TO SPEAK ON THESE ISSUES ON THE HOLOCAUST SO WE REMEMBER
THE IMPACT IF AND ONLY FOR US TO REMEMBER WE CAN'T ALLOW THIS TO
HAPPEN AGAIN. WE CAN'T GO DOWN THESE ROADS. I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT MY
COLLEAGUES HAVE STEPPED UP AND I WILL DO MY BEST TO JOIN THEM. THANK
YOU, MR. SPEAKER, FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE TODAY.
(APPLAUSE)
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. BROOK-KRASNY ON
THE RESOLUTION.
MR. BROOK-KRASNY: MR. SPEAKER, I GUESS IT'S
MY JEWISH THOUGHT THAT I'M ALWAYS SPEAKING AFTER THE GREATEST SPEAKER
29
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
IN THE BUNCH. WELL, I'M JUST FEELING GRATEFUL TO MY COLLEAGUE
ASSEMBLYWOMAN ROZIC. MR. SPEAKER, WHEN I'M SPEAKING ON
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY RESOLUTION I FEEL A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY.
HUGE RESPONSIBILITY ON MY SHOULDERS BECAUSE I HAVE MANY MEMBERS OF
MY FAMILY WHO WERE LOST DURING THE NAZI OCCUPATION, EVEN DURING THE
SOVIET REGIME. IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT I'M SPEAKING ON THIS
RESOLUTION. I'VE BEEN SPEAKING ON THIS RESOLUTION IN 2007, 2008, 2009,
2010 AND SO ON UNTIL ABOUT 2015. I NEVER THOUGHT THAT MY REMARKS IN
2024 WOULD BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE I WAS MAKING DURING THOSE
YEAR BECAUSE THE WORLD IS DIFFERENT NOW, THIS COUNTRY IS DIFFERENT, THE
STATE IS DIFFERENT, THE CITY OF NEW YORK IS DIFFERENT.
IN MY DISTRICT I HAVE -- I HAVE MANY HOLOCAUST
SURVIVORS AND OF COURSE EVEN MORE PEOPLE WHO IMMIGRATED FROM THE
FORMER SOVIET UNION. RUSSIAN-SPEAKING JEWISH PEOPLE. THOSE PEOPLE
WHO WERE WHISPERING TO EACH OTHER DURING THE NAZI OCCUPATION, THEY
WERE WHISPERING TO EACH OTHER SITTING IN THE KITCHENS IN THE FORMER
SOVIET UNION WHISPERING, ARE YOU JEWISH, ARE YOU JEWISH, ARE YOU
JEWISH? THEY'VE BEEN WHISPERING FOR MANY YEARS AND THEN THEY CAME
TO THIS COUNTRY. AS YOU KNOW THE BIGGEST WAVE OF IMMIGRATION WAS IN
THE '70S, '80S BEGINNING OF '90S. THEY THOUGHT THEY WOULD NEVER HAVE
TO WHISPER AGAIN, BUT NOW THEY'RE WHISPERING AGAIN. THE JEWISH
NATION IS GOING THROUGH THE BIGGEST TRAGEDIES WHEN THERE IS A NEED FOR
THE GOOD PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER.
AFTER THE HOLOCAUST, AFTER WE LOST SIX MILLION PEOPLE,
THE STATE OF ISRAEL WAS CREATED. THREE YEARS LATER THE STATE OF ISRAEL
30
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
WAS CREATED AND GOOD PEOPLE HAS BEEN VOTING FOR THE STATE OF ISRAEL.
IN FACT THEY'VE BEEN VOTING FOR TWO STATES, BUT THE OTHER ONE NEVER
HAPPENED, THAT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT AFTER THE
TRAGEDY OF OCTOBER 7 IN ISRAEL, THE GOOD PEOPLE WOULD COME TOGETHER
AGAIN SO THE HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS IN MY DISTRICT WOULDN'T HAVE TO
WHISPER AGAIN, BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THESE DAYS IN THIS COUNTRY, IN THIS
STATE, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, GOOD PEOPLE ARE WHISPERING AND THE
OTHERS ARE VERY LOUD AND THAT'S OUR PROBLEM. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(APPLAUSE)
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. PIROZZOLO.
MR. PIROZZOLO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I, TOO,
WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR BRINGING THIS BILL FORWARD. AS
MANY AS YOU MAY GUESS, I AM NOT JEWISH, BUT WHAT I AM, MR. SPEAKER,
IS I AM A HUMAN BEING. AND WHO WOULD EVER IMAGINE THAT IN 2023 AND
2024 ANYONE ON THE PLANET WOULD CONSIDER THE ACTS OF OCTOBER 7TH AS
AN ACCEPTABLE MEANS OF REBELLION. SO I WOULD LIKE TO STAND WITH THE
GOVERNOR ON THIS DAY THAT SHE REMEMBERS HOLOCAUST DAY AND I WOULD
LIKE TO STAND WITH ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES JEWISH AND NON-JEWISH AND I'D
LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING THAT I LIKE TO HEAR MORE PEOPLE SAY. NOT ONLY
WAS I PROUD TO STAND WITH YOU ON OCTOBER 7TH, I'M PROUD TO STAND WITH
YOU TODAY. AND I WILL BE PROUD TO STAND WITH YOU EVERY DAY MOVING
FORWARD. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
MR. NOVAKAHOV.
31
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
MR. NOVAKHOV: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. FIRST
OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSOR OF THIS RESOLUTION AND
EVERYONE WHO COMMENTED TODAY ON THIS -- VERY MOVED BY THAT. YOU
KNOW THERE'S A HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL PARK IN MY DISTRICT IN SHEEPSHEAD
BAY, BROOKLYN, SOUTH BROOKLYN WHERE PEOPLE CAN SIT ON THE BENCH,
LOOK AT THE MEMORIAL AND REMEMBER JEWS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
KILLED BY NAZIS. LAST WEEKEND I ORGANIZED A RALLY AS IT WAS ONE
HUNDRED DAYS SINCE THE HAMAS TERROR ATTACK ON INNOCENT ISRAELI MEN,
WOMEN AND CHILDREN. DESPITE THE COLD, WINDY WEATHER HUNDREDS OF
PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES, NOT ONLY JEWISH, CAME TO THE RALLY.
MANY WE'RE SAYING THAT OCTOBER 7TH WAS A SECOND HOLOCAUST. WE
RAISED AN ISRAELI FLAG IN THE PARK IN SUPPORT OF THE FAMILIES OF THOSE
WHO WERE KILLED AND TAKEN HOSTAGES BY HAMAS. BUT GUESS WHAT? THE
FLAG WAS TORN DOWN AFTER A FEW DAYS. WE RAISED ANOTHER FLAG AND IT
WAS TORN DOWN AGAIN. I ORDERED A BOX OF ISRAELI FLAGS TO BE RAISED AT
THE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL PARK AND I WILL MAKE SURE IT'S THERE IN
MEMORY OF INNOCENT LIVES OF JEWS, OF AMERICANS AND OTHERS WHOSE
LIVES WERE TAKEN AWAY FOR NO REASON BACK IN WORLD WAR II AND THE
RECENT OCTOBER 7TH ATTACK. AM YISRAEL CHAI, THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
MR. CHANG ON THE RESOLUTION.
MR. CHANG: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND THANK
YOU FOR THE SPONSOR ASSEMBLYWOMAN ROZIC FOR THIS BILL FOR THE
SPONSOR. I REPRESENT BROOKLYN AND A LARGE PORTION OF MY CONSTITUENTS
ARE JEWISH. AND I REMEMBER VISITING ONE OF THE NURSING HOME AND A
32
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR WAS THERE, ABOUT A HUNDRED YEARS OR AT LEAST, AND
FAIRLY VIVID SHOWED ME HER ARMS AND ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT TOUCH
YOU. YOU WOULD HEAR ABOUT THE STORY UNTIL YOU REALLY SEE IT, FEEL IT AND
EXPERIENCE IT. THAT'S SURVIVOR. THEN OF COURSE OCTOBER 7TH IS PERHAPS
ANOTHER HOLOCAUST DAY, AND I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE NEVER SEEN IT. YOU
KNOW I WEAR MY UNIFORM FOR 24 YEARS AND I FIGHT AGAINST ISIS, TALIBAN
AND AL QAEDA. I GUESS WE WILL NEVER GET RID OF THESE TERRORISTS GROUP.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS AND OCTOBER 7TH ARE VERY
SIMILAR. THEY'RE EVIL. WHAT THEY DO TO INNOCENT PEOPLE. NOT JUST ONLY
JEWISH BUT ALSO OTHER GROUPS. BUT IT'S POIGNANT FOR US TO REMEMBER
THAT THIS DAY MUST BE REMEMBERED TO NEVER BE ERASED. AND I'M AGHAST
THAT WE STILL IN THIS 22ND CENTURY -- 21ST CENTURY THAT WE STILL HAVE THIS
SITUATION WITH THE JEWISH. AND I PROUDLY STAND TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO
TALK ABOUT THIS, WE REPRESENT THIS, WE MOVE AS AFFRONT AND MY HEART IS
WITH THE INNOCENT VICTIM. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
MR. BURDICK ON THE RESOLUTION.
MR. BURDICK: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. LIKE
MANY IN THIS CHAMBER I ATTENDED MANY VIGILS AND CEREMONIES IN MY
DISTRICT IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL AND THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOLLOWING THE
HORRIFIC OCTOBER 7TH ATTACKS. THE ANGUISH, THE FEAR, THE DISBELIEF
PALPABLE. SEVERAL HAD FRIENDS OR RELATIVES WHO WERE KILLED IN THE
ATTACK. AS WORLD WAR II RECEDES IN TIME AND MEMORY AND HOLOCAUST
SURVIVORS ARE PASSING ON, THE NEED TO TEACH SUBSEQUENT GENERATIONS
COULD NOT BE OF GREATER IMPORTANCE. IT'S NOT ONLY TO REFUTE THE DENIERS,
33
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
IT IS ALSO SO OUR NATION KNOWS THE DEPTHS OF THE INHUMANITY OF THAT TIME
AND NOW ONLY A FEW MONTHS AGO AGAIN. SO CONVEYING THE HISTORY, THE
FACTS, THE PAIN, ALL ARE ESSENTIAL. IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY THE HOLOCAUST
AND HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION CENTER CARRIES ON THAT WORK AND SIMILAR
ORGANIZATIONS CARRY ON SUCH WORK THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THAT WORK
COULD NOT BE MORE IMPORTANT AND MORE IMMEDIATE THAN NOW. IT IS SO
HARD TO FATHOM THAT THIS RESOLUTION TAKES ON ENORMOUS SIGNIFICANCE
TODAY, AND YET IT DOES. I THANK THE SPONSOR FOR HER RESOLUTION AND FOR
HER PASSIONATE AND HEARTFELT AND HEARTRENDING STATEMENT. I ALSO THANK
MY COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION. THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, MR.
BURDICK.
ON THE RESOLUTION, MAY WE RISE, BROTHERS AND SISTERS,
ON THIS RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; THERE IS NO
OPPOSITION. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
(APPLAUSE)
MR. GOODELL FOR THE PURPOSES OF A INTRODUCTION, SIR.
MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. IT'S MY PLEASURE TO
BE ACCOMPANIED TODAY BY ONE OF OUR FORMER MEMBERS AND A
DISTINGUISHED GUEST, TOM MCKEVITT. AND AS YOU KNOW ASSEMBLYMAN
MCKEVITT SERVED FOR A YEAR AS OUR FLOOR LEADER AND FOR FOUR YEARS
BEFORE THAT AS ASSISTANT FLOOR LEADER, AND SO IT'S A VERY UNUSUAL FEELING
FOR ME TO BE STANDING HERE AND HAVING HIM SITTING IN MY CHAIR WHEN HE
WAS HERE AND I WAS THERE. (INDICATING)
34
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT MR. MCKEVITT IS I
FOUND OUT EARLIER IN MY CAREER WITH HIM THAT HE ONLY HAS TWO SPEEDS;
FAST AND FAST ASLEEP. I MEAN THERE'S NO MIDDLE GROUND WITH TOM.
WHEN HE WALKS, IT'S LIKE A JOG, YOU KNOW, TO GET HERE. WHEN YOU CALL
HIM, HE ANSWERS THE PHONE "MCKEVITT" AND YOU KNOW RIGHT AWAY YOU
ONLY HAVE THREE MINUTES TO GET YOUR POINT OUT. BUT WHAT WAS ALSO
ASTOUNDING ABOUT TOM MCKEVITT IS THAT HE MEMORIZED I THINK OUR
RULES. AND INDEED TO THIS VERY DAY HERE I KNOW WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO
DO THIS, BUT HERE ON THE FLOOR WE HAVE THE MCKEVITT FLOOR BOOK THAT
CONTAINS ALL THE RULES AND ALL THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION. AND
WHENEVER I AM AT A LOSS AT WHAT THE RULES ARE, I FOUND IT'S FASTER TO CALL
TOM THAN IT IS TO CALL ANYBODY ELSE AND HE HAS THE ANSWER BECAUSE HE'S
MEMORIZED IT. SO IF YOU WILL WELCOME OUR DISTINGUISHED GUEST, FORMER
FLOOR LEADER FOR THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, THOMAS MCKEVITT. THANK
YOU, SIR.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF
OF MR. GOODELL, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, TOM, WELCOME
BACK. SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU. AS A MEMBER YOU ALWAYS HAVE THE
PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR. WE ARE GLAD THAT YOU TOOK THE TIME TO COME
AND SHARE WITH US AND PARTICULARLY ON A DAY LIKE TODAY WHEN SOMETIMES
WE OUTDO OURSELVES IN THE RIGHT WAY. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, GLAD
THAT YOU'RE HERE WITH US.
(APPLAUSE)
ON PAGE 7, CALENDAR NO. 284, THE CLERK WILL READ.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08558, CALENDAR NO.
35
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
284, CRUZ. AN ACT TO AMEND THE PENAL LAW, THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
LAW, THE CORRECTION LAW, THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, THE VEHICLE AND
TRAFFIC LAW, THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, THE AGRICULTURE AND
MARKETS LAW AND THE JUDICIARY LAW, IN RELATION TO CERTAIN SEX
OFFENSES; AND TO AMEND A CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF 2023, AMENDING THE
PENAL LAW, THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW, THE CORRECTION LAW, THE
SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW, THE FAMILY COURT
ACT, THE CIVIL RIGHTS LAW, THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, THE
AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW, THE JUDICIARY LAW AND THE DOMESTIC
RELATIONS LAW RELATING TO SEX OFFENSES, AS PROPOSED IN LEGISLATIVE BILLS
NUMBERS S. 3161 AND A. 3340, IN RELATION TO THE EFFECTIVENESS THEREOF.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.
CRUZ, 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.)
MS. WALSH TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.
MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, MY
COLLEAGUES. IN YEARS PAST WE -- WE'VE DEBATED THIS BILL, THIS IS OF COURSE
A CHAPTER AMENDMENT TO A BILL THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY PASSED. THE
CONCERNS ABOUT THE BILL HAD TO DO WITH A VERY SPECIFIC THING WHICH WAS
THE ISSUE OF WHETHER THERE WOULD BE INADVERTENT, UNINTENDED RESULTS OF
A MERGER OF OFFENSES AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT A PERPETRATOR OF THESE
36
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
REALLY AWFUL, EVIL ACTS TOWARDS PEOPLE WOULD RECEIVE ONE DAY LESS OR
MUCH MORE LESS THAN IN PRISON THAN THEY DESERVED. I WOULD NOTE,
THOUGH, THAT IT'S DIFFERENT THIS YEAR BECAUSE IN THE PAST THE DAS
ASSOCIATION HAD OPPOSED THIS BILL FOR THOSE REASONS. THE CONCERNS
ABOUT MERGER AND CONSECUTIVE VERSUS CONCURRENT SENTENCING, THEY'VE
WITHDRAWN THEIR OPPOSITION. AND SO WITH THAT, I'M SATISFIED THAT I CAN
SUPPORT THIS BILL BECAUSE REALLY MY -- AS I SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE, MY
ONLY CONCERN IS THAT THE PERPETRATORS OF RAPE NEED TO BE HELD FULLY, FULLY
ACCOUNTABLE. I'M SATISFIED NOW THAT THEY WILL BE AND I'M PLEASED TO
VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. WALSH IN THE
AFFIRMATIVE.
MS. CRUZ TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.
MS. CRUZ: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. OUR CURRENT
LAW ONLY IDENTIFIES RAPE AS PENETRATION BY PENIS INTO THE VAGINA FAILING
TO UNDERSTAND THE REALITY AND COMPLEXITY OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
ULTIMATELY THIS HAS FAILED OUR SURVIVORS IN SEEKING JUSTICE. FORCED
SEXUAL CONTACT AGAINST YOUR WILL, WHETHER IT INVOLVES A VAGINA, ANUS OR
MOUTH IS AN ABSOLUTE VIOLATION OF YOUR BODILY INTEGRITY, AND CALLING IT
ANYTHING OTHER THAN "RAPE" NEGATES THE PAIN ENDURED BY SURVIVORS. IT
NEGATES THEIR EXPERIENCE AND WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY AND ABILITY TO
RIGHT THIS WRONG. ONCE THIS CHAPTER AMENDMENT PASSES, WE WILL CLEAR
THE WAY FOR RAPE IS RAPE TO BECOME LAW. AND WE ARE TELLING SURVIVORS
OF ALL FORMS OF RAPE THAT THEY ARE WORTHY OF RECOGNITION AND WORTHY OF
JUSTICE. THIS CHANGE IN LAW IS BIGGER THAN A SIMPLE CHANGE IN
37
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
TERMINOLOGY. IT IS THE PROFOUND SHIFT IN RECOGNIZING WHO IS SEEN AS A
RAPE VICTIM AND WHO IS SEEN AS A RAPIST. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
GET INTO THE RECORD WHAT THIS CHAPTER AMENDMENT ACTUALLY DOES. IT
MAKES SMALL CHANGES, TECHNICAL CHANGES AND IT EXTENDS THE EFFECTIVE
DATE TO ENSURE ITS IMPLEMENTATION TO SEPTEMBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR. AND IT
PROVIDES CLARITY TO PROSECUTORS ON HOW TO BRING THESE RAPE CHARGES AND
THIS GOES TO WHAT MY COLLEAGUE ACROSS THE AISLE MENTIONED, BECAUSE OF
THESE CHANGES THE DAS ASSOCIATION HAS WITHDRAWN THEIR -- THEIR
CONCERNS, THEIR OPPOSITION.
I'D LIKE TO THANK LYDIA CUOMO, THE SURVIVOR THAT YOU
HAVE HEARD US TALK ABOUT YEAR AFTER YEAR ON THIS FLOOR, AND THE MANY
SURVIVORS OF RAPE WHO'VE BEEN TOLD THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM IS NOT
RAPE, WHO HAD JUSTICE DENIED BECAUSE OF OUR OUTDATED LAWS. TODAY THIS
CHANGES. I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR FORMER COLLEAGUE ARAVELLA SIMOTAS,
WHO FOR ALMOST A DECADE FOUGHT TO BRING JUSTICE TO SURVIVORS LIKE ME.
THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING ME TO CARRY THIS TO THE FINISH LINE. AND TO OUR
SPEAKER WHO YEAR AFTER YEAR PRIORITIZED THIS BILL BECAUSE HE STANDS WITH
SURVIVORS AND HE KNOWS THAT WE DESERVE JUSTICE.
WE'VE DEBATED THIS BILL YEAR AFTER YEAR OVER A DECADE
ON THIS FLOOR AND IT HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY SUBJECT AND I WANT TO THANK
MY COLLEAGUES ON OUR AISLE AND ACROSS FOR THEIR PROFESSIONALISM AND
THEIR UNDERSTANDING. AND I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES AND MY TEAM
AND THE ADVOCATES WHO'VE SUPPORTED US YEAR AFTER YEAR TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE GOT PEOPLE THE JUSTICE THAT THEY DESERVE. WITH THAT, I URGE MY
COLLEAGUES TO ONCE AGAIN VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE SO THAT THIS IMPORTANT
38
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
BILL CAN BECOME LAW AND WE CAN FINALLY GIVE SURVIVORS OF RAPE THE
JUSTICE THAT THEY DESERVE. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.
ARE THERE -- MR. ANGELINO, I'M SORRY.
MR. ANGELINO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, FOR NOT
OVERLOOKING ME. I'VE HAD PERSONAL CONVERSATIONS WITH THE SPONSOR OF
THIS BILL AND AS MY -- THE VOTE BOARD UP THERE INDICATES I'M VOTING YES.
I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT EVEN FURTHER AMENDMENTS NEED TO BE MADE
TO ARTICLE 35, THE USE OF FORCE, BECAUSE RAPE IS SUCH A HEINOUS) CRIME
THAT IT'S STILL ONE OF THE ONES THAT YOU CAN USE DEADLY PHYSICAL FORCE IN
THE PREVENTION AND TERMINATION AND THAT WILL NEED TO BE UPDATED, BUT I
WILL REMAIN A YES ON THIS WITH THAT RESERVATION. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. ANGELINO IN THE
AFFIRMATIVE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS PASSED.
(APPLAUSE)
WE'RE GOING TO GO TO PAGE 4, CALENDAR NO. 268, THE
CLERK WILL READ.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08090, CALENDAR NO.
268, KELLES. AN ACT TO AMEND THE VILLAGE LAW AND THE PUBLIC OFFICERS
LAW, IN RELATION TO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR VILLAGE JUSTICE OF
CAYUGA HEIGHTS.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.
39
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
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. A08322, CALENDAR NO.
269, HEVESI. AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, IN RELATION TO
THE ESTABLISHMENT AND POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL ON CHILDREN
AND FAMILIES.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08483, CALENDAR NO.
270, BURDICK, SAYEGH. AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW, IN
RELATION TO ESTABLISHING STANDARDS FOR THE EVACUATION OF INDIVIDUALS
WITH DISABILITIES FROM HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS DURING AN EMERGENCY; AND TO
AMEND A CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF 2023 AMENDING THE EXECUTIVE LAW
RELATING TO STANDARDS FOR ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING AN EMERGENCY
EVACUATION PLAN FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, AS PROPOSED IN
LEGISLATIVE BILL NUMBERS S. 264-A AND A. 6291-A, IN RELATION TO THE
EFFECTIVENESS THEREOF.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MR.
40
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
BURDICK, 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. A08484, CALENDAR NO.
271, EPSTEIN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, IN RELATION TO
REPORTING OF YOUTH PLACED IN FOSTER CARE SETTINGS AND RECRUITMENT OF
FOSTER PARENTS; AND TO AMEND A CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF 2023 AMENDING
THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW RELATING TO REPORTING OF YOUTH PLACED IN FOSTER
CARE SETTINGS AND RECRUITMENT OF FOSTER PARENTS, AS PROPOSED IN
LEGISLATIVE BILLS NUMBERS S. 5897 AND A. 2176, 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.)
MS. WALSH.
MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, TO EXPLAIN
41
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
MY VOTE. SO I WAS A LITTLE BIT DISMAYED WHEN I SAW THIS CHAPTER
AMENDMENT. YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES CHAPTER AMENDMENTS MAKE
THINGS BETTER. I REALLY FEEL LIKE THIS CHAPTER AMENDMENT REALLY WATERED
DOWN THE CREATION OF INFORMATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
REGARDING FOSTER CARE. I MEAN WE'VE -- WE'VE DEBATED SO MANY BILLS
HAVING TO DO WITH FOSTER CARE IN THIS CHAMBER AND WE TALK ABOUT THE
NEED TO REALLY WRAP OUR ARMS AROUND THE GOOD DATA THAT WE'RE
COLLECTING, AND THE GOVERNOR INSISTED ON THIS CHAPTER WHICH
UNFORTUNATELY I THINK REALLY -- REALLY EVISCERATES THE MAIN PURPOSE FOR
THE BILL IN THE FIRST PLACE. SO I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. I KNOW THAT THE
COUNCIL ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ISN'T TAKING A POSITION ON IT, BUT I'M
GOING TO VOTING NO ON THIS BECAUSE I JUST REALLY THINK THAT THE ORIGINAL
BILL WAS A LOT BETTER. I THINK THAT THE CHAPTER REALLY, REALLY JUST -- JUST
DOESN'T DO WHAT I WANT IT TO DO IN TERMS OF REALLY TAKING THIS ISSUE AS
SERIOUSLY AS IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN. SO I'LL BE VOTING IN THE NEGATIVE AND
I'M SAD THAT THE GOVERNOR INSISTED ON THIS CHAPTER FOR THIS BILL. THANK
YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. WALSH IN THE
NEGATIVE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS PASSED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08486, CALENDAR NO.
272, HEVESI. AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, IN RELATION TO
EXTENDING TIME FRAMES FOR UPDATED MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING.
42
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 365TH
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. A08491, CALENDAR NO.
273, MAGNARELLI, LUPARDO. AN ACT TO AMEND THE RAILROAD LAW, IN
RELATION TO REQUIRING CERTAIN TRAINS AND LOCOMOTIVES TO HAVE A CREW SIZE
OF NOT LESS THAN TWO PERSONS.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08496, CALENDAR NO.
274, KELLES. AN ACT TO AMEND THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW, IN
RELATION TO FUNDING FOR THE AGRIVOLTAICS RESEARCH PROGRAM; TO AMEND A
CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF 2023 AMENDING THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS
LAW RELATING TO ESTABLISHING THE AGRIVOLTAICS RESEARCH PROGRAM, AS
PROPOSED IN LEGISLATIVE BILLS NUMBERS S. 7081 AND A. 4911, IN RELATION
TO 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.
43
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
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. A08499, CALENDAR NO.
275, CLARK. AN ACT TO AMEND THE EMERGENCY TENANT PROTECTION ACT OF
NINETEEN SEVENTY-FOUR, IN RELATION TO AUTHORIZING A CIVIL PENALTY WHEN
OWNERS REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN A VACANCY SURVEY OR SUBMITS FALSE
VACANCY INFORMATION.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08506, CALENDAR NO.
276, L. ROSENTHAL. AN ACT TO AMEND THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE
CITY OF NEW YORK AND THE EMERGENCY TENANT PROTECTION ACT OF
NINETEEN SEVENTY-FOUR, IN RELATION TO ESTABLISHING THE LEGAL REGULATED
RENT FOR THE COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE VACANT APARTMENTS; TO AMEND
THE EMERGENCY TENANT PROTECTION ACT OF NINETEEN SEVENTY-FOUR, IN
RELATION TO EXEMPTIONS FROM RENT STABILIZATION ON THE BASIS OF
SUBSTANTIAL REHABILITATION; TO DEFINE CLEARLY THE SCOPE OF THE FRAUD
EXCEPTION TO THE PRE-HSTPA FOUR-YEAR RULE FOR CALCULATING RENTS; AND
TO AMEND PART B OF A CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF 2023 RELATING TO DEFINING
CLEARLY THE SCOPE OF THE FRAUD EXCEPTION TO THE PRE-HSTPA FOUR-YEAR
RULE FOR CALCULATING RENTS, AS PROPOSED IN LEGISLATIVE BILLS NUMBERS S.
44
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
2980-C AND A. 6216-B, IN RELATION TO CLAIMS OF FRAUDULENT SCHEMES
AND DETERMINATION RELATING THERETO AND IN RELATION TO THE EFFECTIVENESS
THEREOF.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.
ROSENTHAL, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS
ADVANCED AND THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08519, CALENDAR NO.
277, KIM. AN ACT TO AMEND THE ELDER LAW, IN RELATION TO THE NATURALLY
OCCURRING RETIREMENT COMMUNITY SUPPORTIVE SERVICE PROGRAM.
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. A08520, CALENDAR NO.
278, KIM. AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, IN RELATION TO
REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE THE STATE LONG-TERM CARE
OMBUDSMAN WITH A REPORT OF THE STATUS OF ANY ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY
RESIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY STAFF OR VOLUNTEERS OF THE LONG-TERM CARE
OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MR.
KIM, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS ADVANCED.
45
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
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. A08527, CALENDAR NO.
279, O'DONNELL. AN ACT TO AMEND THE PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC
PRESERVATION LAW, IN RELATION TO LITTERING AND DUMPING ON STATE PARK
LANDS; AND TO REPEAL CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF SUCH LAW RELATING THERETO.
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. A08528, CALENDAR NO.
280, ROZIC. AN ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW AND THE SOCIAL
SERVICES LAW, IN RELATION TO A MODEL NOTIFICATION REGARDING ELECTRONIC
BENEFITS TRANSFER SCAMS INVOLVING CERTAIN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BENEFITS.
46
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.
ROZIC, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS
ADVANCED.
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. A08541, CALENDAR NO.
281, WALLACE. AN ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW, IN RELATION
TO ACCESS TO CERTAIN RESTROOM FACILITIES BY EMPLOYEES OF A UTILITY ENTITY.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.
WALLACE, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS
ADVANCED AND THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08544, CALENDAR NO.
282, GALLAGHER. AN ACT TO AMEND THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY LAW,
IN RELATION TO THE DISCLOSURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANIES; TO AMEND A CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF 2023 AMENDING THE
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY LAW AND THE EXECUTIVE LAW RELATING TO THE
DISCLOSURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES, AS
PROPOSED IN LEGISLATIVE BILLS NUMBERS S. 995-B AND A. 4384-A, IN
47
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
RELATION TO THE EFFECTIVENESS THEREOF; AND TO REPEAL PROVISIONS OF THE
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY LAW AND THE EXECUTIVE LAW, IN RELATION
THERETO.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.
GALLAGHER, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS
ADVANCED. THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08556, CALENDAR NO.
283, REYES. AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW AND THE CIVIL PRACTICE
LAW AND RULES, IN RELATION TO SHARING OF CERTAIN INFORMATION.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.
REYES, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS
ADVANCED AND THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08569, CALENDAR NO.
285, CHANDLER-WATERMAN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW, IN
RELATION TO DEFINING THE TERM "MASS SHOOTING" FOR PURPOSES OF
EMERGENCY RESPONSE MEASURES AND ACCESS TO EMERGENCY FUNDING.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.
CHANDLER-WATERMAN, 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.)
MRS. CHANDLER-WATERMAN TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.
48
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
MS. CHANDLER-WATERMAN: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER AND MAJORITY LEADER, ON THE BILL. I APPRECIATE OUR SENATE
SPONSOR, SENATOR MYRIE, MY COLLEAGUES HERE IN THE NEW YORK STATE
LEGISLATURE AND MY GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY PARTNERS OF 8058 PUBLIC
SAFETY TASK FORCE FOR THIS IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIP IN WORKING AND PASSING
THIS LEGISLATION. AS A CO-CHAIR OF THE ANTI-GUN VIOLENCE
SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, HISPANIC AND ASIAN
LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS, AN ADVOCATE FOR OVER 20 YEARS, A MOTHER OF FOUR
AMAZING CHILDREN REPRESENTING PREDOMINANTLY BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITY THAT IS SEVERELY UNDERSERVED AND PLAGUED WITH DISPARITIES, I
AM COMMITTED TO REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE AND PROVIDING PROPER AND A
TIMELY CURE TO THE VICTIMS AND FAMILIES EFFECTED BY GUN VIOLENCE. NEW
YORK STATE TOOK A STEP FORWARD IN RESPONSE OF THE HORRIFIC EPIDEMIC OF
GUN VIOLENCE IN THE STATE BY PASSING AND SIGNING INTO LAW THIS BILL
DEFINING MASS SHOOTING. THE BILL LANGUAGE AMENDED AND REFLECTED THE
FEDERAL DEFINITION OF A MASS SHOOTING WHICH STATES THAT MORE PEOPLE
KILLED QUALIFIES AS A MASS SHOOTING PRIMARY TO ENSURE THAT NEW YORK
STATE RECEIVE THE FEDERAL FUNDING IN THE EVENT OF A MASS SHOOTING BY
THEIR DEFINITION. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH LEGISLATION AND
ADVOCATE FOR MORE RESOURCES IN THE EFFORT TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE AND
INDIVIDUALS INJURED SO THAT THESE INCIDENTS OF GUN VIOLENCE AND THEIR
COMMUNITIES IMPACTED RECEIVE ATTENTION AND SOLUTION-ORIENTED
RESOURCES THAT THEY DESPERATELY NEED AND DESERVE.
AS YOU KNOW, EVEN ONE SHOOTING OR MURDER IS
HORRIFIC. THIS BILL IS A COMMENCEMENT, NOT THE CONCLUSION OF OUR WORK
49
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE. I LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING UPON THIS
LEGISLATION IN THE FUTURE TO CONTINUE TO BRING THE NEEDED RESOURCES TO
OUR COMMITTEES TO ADDRESS THIS EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIOLENCE. AS WE
NOTICE A MULTI-LAYERED ISSUE THAT REQUIRES A MULTIFACETED APPROACH AND
I'M PROUD TO CONTINUE TO MOVING THIS FORWARD AND MAKING SURE THAT
PEOPLE THAT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THESE UNFORTUNATE SITUATIONS AND
FAMILIES DON'T HAVE TO CONTINUE SUFFERING IN SILENCE. NO FAMILY SHOULD
HAVE TO BURY THEIR LOVED ONE WHEN THESE UNFORTUNATE SITUATIONS HAPPEN.
FAMILIES SHOULDN'T HAVE TO NAVIGATE THE RED TAPE OF WHO IS CLEANING UP
THE BLOOD OF THEIR LOVED ONE WITH RELOCATION PLANS, CULTURALLY-SENSITIVE
ADEQUATE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE AND ACCESS TO WRAPAROUND SERVICES.
SO I AM PROUD TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR ASSEMBLY
DISTRICT 58 AND NEW YORK STATE TO ENSURE WE HAVE PROPER RESOURCES TO
HELP FAMILIES IMPACT THE COMMUNITIES TO SHOW PROPER FUNDING ALSO
GOES TO LOCAL GRASSROOTS, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WITH (INAUDIBLE)
EXPERIENCE ON THE GROUND. I INVITE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE IN THE
AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS.
CHANDLER-WATERMAN IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS PASSED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08603, CALENDER NO.
286, MAGNARELLI. AN ACT TO AMEND THE REAL PROPERTY ACTIONS AND
PROCEEDINGS LAW, IN RELATION TO MAKING A TECHNICAL CHANGE TO A
50
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
PROVISION REQUIRING A PETITION IN A SUMMARY PROCEEDING TO RECOVER
POSSESSION OF REAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF SYRACUSE TO ALLEGE PROOF OF
COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL LAWS.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MR.
MAGNARELLI, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS
ADVANCED.
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. A08604, CALENDAR NO.
287, CLARK, SAYEGH. AN ACT TO AMEND THE JUDICIARY LAW, IN RELATION TO
HOPE CARD ACT AND TO AMEND A CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF 2023 AMENDING
THE JUDICIARY LAW RELATING TO ENACTING THE "HOPE CARD ACT" AS
PROPOSED IN LEGISLATIVE BILLS NUMBERS S. 5935 AND S. 5040, 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.
51
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)
MS. CLARK TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.
MS. CLARK: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. WE HAVE
TALKED ABOUT THIS BILL WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY PASSED LAST YEAR. WITH THE
CHAPTER, THOUGH, I JUST WANT TO REITERATE AS WE BECOME THE EIGHTH STATE
-- OR THE SIXTH STATE TO ENACT THE HOPE CARD ACT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
SURVIVORS AND THOSE WHO USE THE ORDER OF PROTECTIONS TO KEEP THEM AND
THEIR FAMILIES SAFE. YOU KNOW, I REALLY JUST WANT TO THANK THE
GOVERNOR AND HER TEAM FOR NOT ONLY CONTINUING TO MAKE SURE WE PUT
THIS INTO LAW, BUT ALSO EXPANDING ACCESS TO NOT JUST WHAT WE HAD
ORIGINALLY PROPOSED AS (INAUDIBLE) CARDS BUT ALSO DIGITAL ACCESS FOR
THOSE WHO PREFER THAT AND MAY WANT THAT. SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO
SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AS WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW STATES TO DO THAT AND
IT WILL JUST GIVE OUR SURVIVORS MORE OPTIONS AS THEY LOOK TO ENSURE THAT
THEIR ORDER OF PROTECTION IS CARRIED OUT AND THAT THEY AND THEIR FAMILIES
ARE SAFE. SO I'M VERY PROUD TO BE VOTING FOR THIS BILL TODAY AND I'M
PROUD THAT WE ARE THE SIXTH STATE TO ENACT THIS FOR OUR DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE SURVIVORS. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. CLARK IN THE
AFFIRMATIVE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS PASSED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08626, CALENDAR NO.
288, EICHENSTEIN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF 2023,
52
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
AMENDING THE CORRECTION LAW RELATING TO REQUIRING RELIGIOUS DIETARY
FOOD OPTIONS IN PRISON COMMISSARIES AND VISITOR'S AREAS, AS PROPOSED IN
LEGISLATIVE BILL NUMBERS S. 4748-B AND A. 5939, 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.)
ACTING SPEAKER LAVINE: ARE THERE ANY OTHER
VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS PASSED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08627, CALENDAR NO.
289, BRONSON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE FAMILY COURT ACT, THE EXECUTIVE
LAW, THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW,
THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, THE EDUCATION LAW AND THE INSURANCE LAW, IN
RELATION TO GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE.
ACTING SPEAKER LAVINE: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, DO YOU
HAVE ANY FURTHER HOUSEKEEPING OR RESOLUTIONS?
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: NO HOUSEKEEPING BUT
WE DO HAVE FINE RESOLUTIONS WHICH WE WILL TAKE UP WITH ONE VOTE.
ON THE RESOLUTIONS, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING
53
NYS ASSEMBLY JANUARY 29, 2024
AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTIONS ARE ADOPTED.
(WHEREUPON, ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NOS. 800-805
WERE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.)
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, WOULD YOU
PLEASE CALL ON MR. JACOBSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF AN ANNOUNCEMENT?
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. JACOBSON FOR THE
PURPOSES OF AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
MR. JACOBSON: I'M SURE EVERYBODY HAS BEEN
EAGERLY AWAITING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE MEETING --
THE MAJORITY IS GOING TO BE MEETING IN CONFERENCE IMMEDIATELY AFTER
THIS SESSION IN HEARING ROOM C.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, MR.
JACOBSON.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: I NOW MOVE THAT THE
ASSEMBLY STAND ADJOURNED AND THAT WE RECONVENE AT 2:00 P.M. ON
TUESDAY, JANUARY THE 30TH, TOMORROW BEING A SESSION DAY.
ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE ASSEMBLY STANDS
ADJOURNED.
(WHEREUPON, AT 4:56 P.M. THE ASSEMBLY STOOD
ADJOURNED UNTIL TUESDAY, JANUARY 30TH AT 2:00 P.M., TUESDAY BEING A
SESSION DAY.)
54