Bill Text: NY J01537 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending former Senator Kenneth P. LaValle for his illustrious service as a dedicated political leader and strong advocate for the people of the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-06-01 - ADOPTED [J01537 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J01537-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1537

BY: Senator ORTT

        COMMENDING  former  Senator Kenneth P. LaValle for
        his illustrious service  as  a  dedicated  political
        leader  and  strong  advocate  for the people of the
        State of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to  recognize  and
commend those individuals of distinguished purpose whose lives have been
committed to public service and the pursuit of excellence in the conduct
of  the  legislative  process  in  this  noble  Empire State; Kenneth P.
LaValle is one such individual; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
commend former Senator Kenneth P. LaValle for his illustrious service as
a dedicated political leader and strong advocate for the people  of  the
State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, Senator Kenneth P. LaValle was elected in 1976 to represent
the  Long  Island  residents of the 1st Senate District, where he served
with honor and distinction for more than four decades; and

  WHEREAS, In this capacity, Senator Kenneth P. LaValle sponsored  the
two percent property tax cap, was the architect of the STAR program, and
was  instrumental  in  improving  and enhancing TAP to help middle class
families with college tuition; and

  WHEREAS,  Senator  Kenneth  P.  LaValle's  environmental  legacy  is
reflected in the enactment of the Pine Barrens Preservation Act of 1993,
which  preserved  over  100,000 acres of Pine Barrens and serves as Long
Island's sole source aquifer; and

  WHEREAS, As the architect of the Farmland Preservation Act,  Senator
Kenneth  P. LaValle enabled the preservation of precious farmland across
the region; and

  WHEREAS, Senator Kenneth P. LaValle played a role in the creation of
The Long Island High Technology Incubator at Stony Brook University  and
championed  the  Stony  Brook  University  Incubator at Calverton, which
enhanced  Eastern   Long   Island's   agricultural   and   environmental
industries; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore, Senator Kenneth P. LaValle is responsible for
the Community Preservation Fund for the five Eastern Long Island  Towns,
now a model across the state, as well as advancing legislation to create
the Long Island Power Authority; and

  WHEREAS,  A  member  of  the National Council of State Legislatures'
Blue-Ribbon Commission on Higher Education, Senator Kenneth  P.  LaValle
was  involved in shaping higher education policy in New York State where
his work with educational leaders at SUNY, CUNY and independent colleges
earned him the respect of the academic community; and

  WHEREAS, Senator Kenneth P. LaValle's  work  in  education  is  only
matched by his distinguished record in healthcare; he helped establish a
Burn  Unit  at  Stony Brook University Medical Center and his efforts to
protect  and  advance  the  rights  of  patients  earned   him   special
recognition from several local organizations; and

  WHEREAS,  In  tribute  to  his  tireless  work  in higher education,
Senator Kenneth P. LaValle was  presented  with  the  Medallion  of  the
University  from  SUNY  Albany and the University Medal from Stony Brook
University, their highest honor; he was also repeatedly named Man of the
Year  and  Legislator  of  the  Year  by  organizations  throughout  his
district; and

  WHEREAS,  Kenneth  P.  LaValle  resides in Port Jefferson, New York,
with his wife, Penny, and they are the proud parents of two children and
the loving grandparents of four grandchildren; and

  WHEREAS,  Every  citizen  in  New  York  State  has  most  certainly
benefited, in one way or another, from the deep dedication, intelligence
and  commitment former Senator Kenneth P. LaValle brought to his work as
a legislator, loyal friend, and trusted advisor; and

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to  reflect  upon
those outstanding individuals who have made everlasting contributions on
behalf  of their fellow man and have truly left their mark on this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
recognize and applaud the many accomplishments of former Senator Kenneth
P.  LaValle, and to wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it
further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to former New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle.