Location: ALBANY, NEW YORK /
Session: REGULAR SESSION
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
February 15, 2012
REGULAR SESSION
SENATOR JOSEPH A. GRIFFO, Acting President FRANCIS W. PATIENCE, Secretary
P R O C E E D I N G S
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The Senate will come to order.
I ask all present to please rise and join with me as we recite the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: In the absence of clergy, may I ask all to bow their heads in a moment of silent reflection.
(Whereupon, the assemblage respected a moment of silence.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Tuesday, February 14th, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Monday, February 13th, was read and approved. On motion, Senate adjourned.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Without objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports from state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS: Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Gallivan, on page 12 I offer the following amendments to Calendar Number 168, Senate Print 5557, and ask that said the bill will retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The amendments are accepted, and the bill will retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS: Thank you, Mr. President.
At this time could we please adopt the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of Resolution Number 3205.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: At this time we will have a vote on the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of Resolution 3205. All in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The Resolution Calendar is adopted.
Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS: Mr. President, I believe there's a resolution at the desk by Senator Smith, Number 3205. Could we please have it read in its entirety and move for its adoption, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY: Legislative Resolution Number 3205, by Senator Smith, mourning the death of Dora H. Young, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community.
"WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor serve to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of New York; and whereas Dora H. Young of St. Albans, Addisleigh Park, New York, died on Saturday, August 20, 2011, at the age of 89; and
"WHEREAS, The daughter of the late William and Blanche Bess, Dora H. Young was born on October 20, 1921, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and
"WHEREAS, Dora H. Young married the love of her life, Evie Young, Jr., in 1949, and shortly after, they moved to Addisleigh Park, New York; and
"WHEREAS, Dora H. Young was a homemaker. She was committed to helping others, and thus began her legacy of community service; and
"WHEREAS, Dora H. Young's commitment to excellence, and her spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charitable and civic endeavors; and
"WHEREAS, A long-time resident of St. Albans, Dora H. Young served as Deputy Clerk for Queens County; and
"WHEREAS, Dora H. Young was in the forefront of successful efforts in Queens to elect, respectively, the first black Assemblyman, State Senator, Judge, City Councilman, and Congressman; and
"WHEREAS, Moreover, Dora H. Young was the chairperson of the Education Action Program for Social Concern in St. Albans and was one of the founders of the Guy R. Brewer Learning Center in Hollis; and
"WHEREAS, This remarkable woman was associated with numerous organizations, such as the Addisleigh Park Civic Association, the 113th and 103rd Precinct Councils, the Jamaica Branch NAACP, the Queens Women's Political Caucus, One Hundred Black Women, Southern Queens Park Association Board, Southeast Queens Contractors Association Training Program, The Cancer Crusade, the Selective Service Board and the Queens Division, United States Negro College Fund, and the Greater Queens Chapter of The Links, Inc.; and
"WHEREAS, An active member of St. Benedict the Moor Roman Catholic Church, Dora Young always found time to answer the letters of little children at Christmas in her role as Santa Claus's Secretary; and
"WHEREAS, Dora H. Young is survived by one brother, Howard C. Bess; two stepbrothers, Lewis Richardson and Lloyd Richardson; one stepsister, Joy Carter; two sisters-in-law, Ursula Thaxton and Gertrude Bess, nieces Brenda Carr, Lameka Parker, Kecia Pickney and Kathy Tracy; and nephews Howard L. Bess, David Tracy and Michael Tracy; and
"WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Dora H. Young leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
"RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Dora H. Young, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community; and be it further
"RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Dora H. Young."
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator Smith.
SENATOR SMITH: Thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you, colleagues.
Last month we celebrated Martin Luther King's birthday, and one of the things that was expressed on the floor of the Senate a number of times was the importance of courage. This young lady, Dora H. Young, is a person who has displayed much courage over her lifetime, and I rise today to pay tribute to her.
Dora Young was a young lady who served as district leader in Queens, New York, for over 40 years. She was a trailblazer in what she has done on behalf of the political scene in Queens. She was one of the first architects of electing an African-American male to the City Council in Queens. She one of the architects to elect the first African-American Assemblyperson in Queens. She was also an architect to elect the first African-American State Senator, as well as a Congressperson and a judge.
In addition to what she has done on the political front, being part of one of the largest and most powerful political clubs in the City of New York, Dora Young was also an ambassador for women empowerment. As one who served as the first female City Clerk in the Borough of Queens, she also was the first Deputy County Leader in Queens and at one point served as the Acting County Chair of the Queens Democratic Party. Again, the first African-American woman to do so.
As you heard the resolution read, there were a number of things that she was involved with in the Queens area -- NAACP, The Links. A young lady who has epitomized the importance of family.
More importantly to me, Dora Young was like a political mother. She was one who advised me and who gave me direction as to what and what not to do.
She is someone who will always be remembered -- a member of the St. Benedict the Moor Church, a very involved Catholic, and someone who was loved and who continues to be loved.
It is my pleasure, Mr. President, to stand on this floor today and pay tribute to this trailblazer, this young lady who displayed and is the epitome of courage.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Thank you, Senator Smith.
The question is on the resolution. All in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The resolution is adopted.
Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS: Mr. President, Senator Smith would like to open the resolution up for all members. And if any member wishes not to be on the resolution, they could let the desk know, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator Libous, the resolution, as requested by Senator Smith, will be open for cosponsorship. And if you wish to be a cosponsor, at this point in time you would notify the desk.
SENATOR LIBOUS: Mr. President, at this time, in consultation with Senator Sampson, I want to hand up the following committee assignments and ask that such assignments be filed in the Journal.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Received and so ordered.
Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS: Mr. President, is there any further business at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: There is no further business, Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS: Thank you, Mr. President.
There being no further business, I move that we adjourn until Wednesday, February 29th, at 3:00 p.m., intervening days being legislative days.
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Wednesday, February 29th, at 3:00 p.m., intervening days being legislative days.
Senate adjourned.
(Whereupon, at 10:17 a.m., the Senate adjourned.)
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Transcript: Feb 15, 2012 10:08 AM
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