Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the illustrious career of New York Assemblyman Bob Oaks. Since 1992, Assemblyman Oaks has diligently represented the interests of Wayne, Oswego, and Cayuga Counties in Albany. Serving the 130th Assembly District, Assemblyman Oaks has always fought for his constituency's values in the State Legislature.

Assemblyman Oaks was born in North Rose, New York and grew up on a farm owned by his family for nearly five generations. He graduated from North Rose-Wolcott Central School in 1970, earned a political science degree from Colgate University in 1974, and then proceeded to complete his Recreation Administration master's degree from University of Montana in 1976. Upon completing his education, Assemblyman Oaks began his career as Assistant Director of the Continuing Education Program for the Greece Central School District.

After a five year stint as the Director of the Wayne County Youth Bureau, Assemblyman Oaks first reached public office in 1982 by winning the election for Wayne County Clerk. He held the office until 1992, when he won the 130th Assembly District seat and headed to Albany for the first time. Upon arriving in the State Legislature, Assemblyman Oaks prioritized strengthening the state economy and improving the competitiveness of New York agriculture.

Throughout his career in Albany, Assemblyman Oaks fought for the conservative values of decreased taxes and smaller government. Assemblyman Oaks' dedication to these causes resulted in his appointment to the Ranking Minority Member position on the Ways and Means Committee in September 2011. This role designated Assemblyman Oaks as the top Republican on tax issues in the State Legislature, allowing him to lead debate proposed tax legislation and any impacts such legislation may have on New York's budget.

Assemblyman Oaks was a part of the Republican leadership in the State Assembly in addition to his work on the Ways and Means committee. He served as the Deputy Minority Leader and was appointed by Minority Leader Brian Kolb to the Legislative Task Force on Redistricting in 2012. In each of these roles, Assemblyman Oaks shaped the Republican agenda in the State Legislature and ensured Assembly, Senate and Congressional district lines were fairly drawn across the state.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in celebrating the successful career of Bob Oaks in the New York State Assembly. Assemblyman Oaks always legislated with the best interests of his constituents in mind. Most importantly, his offices in Albany and the 130th District were always committed to ensuring his constituency had access to the services of the state government. I express my strong gratitude to Assemblyman Oaks for standing up for the values of Central New Yorkers throughout his career in Albany.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of John McGraw, a World War II veteran and resident of Fulton, New York. On November 18, 2018, Mr. McGraw was recognized as the oldest member of the Fulton First United Methodist Church. A lifelong citizen of Central New York, Mr. McGraw has made vast contributions to his community and our nation.

John McGraw was born in Fulton, New York in 1921. His father worked for the Sealright Company and John followed in his father's footsteps. He worked as a mechanist at the local plant and helped produce paper containers used for food and beverages. When America entered World War II in 1941, John answered the call of duty and began service with the United States Army. John was among the brave infantrymen who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6th, 1944, as a part of the D-Day Invasion. Landing on Omaha Beach with B Company during the second wave of the invasion, John's duty was to disarm active landmines so his fellow soldiers could advance up the beach. His courage, along with the courage of hundreds of other soldiers, helped make the D-Day Invasion a success and shifted momentum towards the Allies for the rest of World War II. Today, John is the last surviving member of B Company who fought in the D-Day Invasion.

After the war, John continued to serve in the best interest of the public. He began working for the Fulton Auxiliary Police Force as an officer in 1948 and remained there until 1963. While with the force, John diligently protected Fulton from crime by paying close attention to detail and taking action when he noticed injustice. In addition, he continued his work as a Sealright mechanist. His children joined him at the company, just as he had joined his father.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life of John McGraw. He is exemplary of courage and honor, two values that are pillars of our country. Mr. McGraw's service to

his community and country is a standard that all Americans should strive to live by. I thank him, as well as all our great veterans, for protecting this great nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of Shirley Miller Kay's 100th birthday. Ms. Miller Kay has served as a symbol of women's empowerment throughout her life and holds the great distinction of being the first female from Syracuse to enlist in the United States Navy.

Shirley Miller Kay was born in Syracuse, New York in 1918 to a family with deep Central New York roots. Her father owned a tailing and furring business, which Shirley assisted with upon graduating from Nottingham High School. Additionally, she was an athlete and natural leader, serving as president of her high school's drama club.

In 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt created the Women's United States Naval Reserve, better known as WAVES. The program arrived in Syracuse in 1943 and Shirley quickly applied to be a part of the service. When she was approved for WAVES a few weeks later, Shirley learned from the commanding officer that she was the first recruit accepted from the Syracuse recruiting station. Upon receiving her rank of apprentice seaman, she made history by becoming the first female Syracusan enlisted in the Navy.

Shirley deployed for basic training in Iowa during April of 1943, where she took specialized courses to learn skills such as parachute rigging. She completed basic training and was officially a member of the Navy Reserves. Shirley used her opportunity with the Navy Reserves to advocate for equal pay for female members of the Navy, a movement which was ultimately successful. After World War II, Shirley moved to Maryland and continued her success in a number of professional jobs. She worked as a Counseling Manager at the University of Maryland, and then helped run a local real estate company. She lived in Maryland for 15 years before returning home to Central New York where she has resided since.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in recognizing the remarkable life of Shirley Miller Kay. She continues to live a life exemplary of equality and service, two values that all Americans should strive to hold themselves to. I thank Shirley, as well as all our veterans, for their courage and dedication to our great nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Maureen Sheedy, a beloved member of the Camillus community and life-long Central New Yorker. Known for her kindness and compassion for others, Maureen was highly active in many Central New York community service initiatives throughout her life. Maureen Sheedy was born on December 5th, 1943 in Syracuse, New York. She graduated from the Most Holy Rosary School and enrolled in classes at Nazareth College in Rochester. Upon completing her college education, she returned to Central New York and settled in Camillus to start her family. Additionally, Maureen made vast contributions to the community by working to improve local parks through employment with Camillus Parks and Recreation.

Maureen will be remembered most for her strong efforts to help those in need, as well as her commitment to her family and community. She spent much time volunteering with the Funeral Guild by preparing meals for mourners, and helping to deliver food to seniors through Meals on Wheels. Maureen was also very devoted to her church, Holy Family, where she worshipped for over 50 years and belonged to the Alter Rosary Society.

As a mother, she selflessly raised her five children and opened her home to children outside her family. Along with her husband Jim, Maureen organized a neighborhood block party for over 35 years to strengthen the bond of her local community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in remembering the remarkable life of Maureen Sheedy. She always strived to improve her local community and understood the importance of family values. The dedication to service and kindness she displayed throughout her life is exemplary of the high standard Americans should live by. She will be dearly missed by her family and the Central New York community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Kiwanis Governor John ``Hank'' Baker and his wife, First Lady Bonnie Baker. During their leadership tenures, Governor and First Lady Baker have upheld Kiwanis International's mission of improving the lives of underserved children and adults throughout New York state.

Kiwanis International is an organization committed to serving underprivileged children and adults throughout the world. As they conduct their service projects, Kiwanis focuses on fighting hunger, teaching verbal and written communication, and setting children on a path to success. Governor and First Lady Baker have spearheaded many such initiatives during their Kiwanis careers.

As Governor, Mr. Baker has championed the participation of military children at Kamp Kiawanis in Taberg, NY. At Kamp Kiawanis, children are presented the opportunity to participate in a variety of outdoor activities, as well as learn the qualities of leadership and fairness. Additionally, Governor Baker has opened two Aktion Clubs, which aim to teach individuals with disabilities the skills necessary to succeed.

During her current tenure as First Lady, Ms. Baker has established a supply drive called Krafts for Kamp. Under the First Lady's leadership, volunteers will be working with all New York Kiwanis districts to secure the supplies needed to support Kamp Kiawanis arts and crafts activities next year. First Lady Baker has long been active in Kiwanis, serving as Lieutenant Governor of the Niagara Frontier division prior to becoming First Lady.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in recognizing John and Bonnie Baker's contributions to the New York District of Kiawanis. Their commitment to serving individuals in need and passion for philanthropy is a standard all should look up to. I applaud their efforts in New York, as well as the work of Kiwanis International throughout the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Syracuse Crunch's 25th season playing in Syracuse. The Crunch compete in the American Hockey League, which is the top developmental league for the National Hockey League, and play their home games at the historic Oncenter War Memorial Arena on South State Street. Since relocating to Syracuse in 1994, the Crunch have served as the primary affiliate for five different National Hockey League franchises.

The Syracuse Crunch traces its franchise roots back to 1992, when they were originally the Hamilton Canucks based in Hamilton, Ontario. After two seasons in Hamilton, the Canucks were relocated to Syracuse and renamed the Crunch by a public vote. The Crunch were immediately popular in their new city and led the league in sellouts during two of their first four seasons in Syracuse. In addition, the team was successful upon relocation to Syracuse and reached the playoffs three consecutive years after failing to qualify in their inaugural season.

During the 2010s, the Crunch established themselves as an iconic American Hockey League franchise. The team won two conference championships during the 2012-2013 and 2016-2017 campaigns and reached the Calder Cup Finals. The Crunch fell short in both appearances, losing to the Grand Rapids Griffins on both occasions. Additionally, they participated in the league's first ever outdoor game at the Grandstand at the New York State Fairgrounds in 2010. The Crunch won the contest over the Binghamton Senators by a score of 2-1 and set a league record for single-game attendance with 21,508 spectators. Four years later, the Crunch rewrote the history books again when they played the Utica Comets at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. The attendance of 30,715 fans for their 2-1 win over Utica was the largest crowd for an indoor hockey game in the United States.

The Crunch have been the top affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2012. They have developed several star players for the Lightning, including Andrei Vasilevskiy, Nikita Kucherov and Yanni Gourde. They also have developed geographic rivalries with several other upstate New York teams located in Rochester, Binghamton and Utica, which has contributed to the popularity of hockey in the region.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House join me in celebrating the Syracuse Crunch's rich history in Central New York. The Crunch have long contributed to the identity of Syracuse and culture of hockey in the area. As a co-chair of the Congressional Hockey Caucus, I am grateful for their presence in Syracuse.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Syracuse University Press. Located at on the edge of Syracuse University's campus, the Syracuse University Press has been imperative to the strength and academic rigor of Syracuse University.

Founded by William P. Tolley and Thomas J. Watson in 1943, the Syracuse University Press is committed to promoting diverse cultural and intellectual expression, as well as preserving the history, literature, and culture of our region. Syracuse University Press emphasizes publications on the history, culture, and people of New York State, as well as works on Irish Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Peace Studies, Television and Popular Culture, Literature in Translation. As a recipient of the NEH/Mellon Open Book Program grant, Syracuse University Press has the unique ability to make out-of-print humanities books available again by re-creating them as free, open access e-books.

Syracuse University Press has published over 2,200 titles and sold over 3.5 million books. The pieces sold and published by Syracuse University Press are culturally diverse,

written by authors from 20 countries and translated into 25 languages. For their work, the Syracuse University Press has received numerous awards, such as the 2017 Association for Middle East Women's Studies Book Award Honorable Mention, 2017 Robert Penn Warren for Fiction, 2016 J. I. Segal Award for Translation, and the PROSE Award in the Language and Linguistics category and honorable mention for Excellence in the Humanities.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Syracuse University Press. Under the steady leadership of Director Alice Pfeiffer, it is my hope that the Syracuse University Press continues to provide this great service to our community and to the world for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Oswego Elks Lodge No. 271, an American fraternity that is commemorating its 125th anniversary in Central New York.

The Oswego Elks Lodge No. 271 was founded in 1893 with an inaugural initiation class of 30 members. The following year, the lodge received its official charter at the annual Grand Lodge Convention. When the lodge opened its new home in 1900, the group was the only civic or fraternal organization in Oswego that owned its meeting place. The Oswego Elks Lodge No. 271 would continue to convene at this building until the group purchased its current home in 1922, where they have held their meetings and events ever since.

Since its inception, the Oswego Elks Lodge has found itself at the center of the Elks organization in New York State. In 1932, member James H. Macklin was installed as State President at that year's state convention in Rochester. Member Daniel J. Capella would later be installed as State President in 1987. Still an active member in the Elk community today, Capella was named a member of the Government Relations Committee at the national convention in San Antonio, Texas earlier this year.

Throughout its 125 year history, the Lodge has provided a number of valuable services to the Oswego community. Each year, the fraternity hosts annual Soccer and Hoop Shoot contests for youth as well as a number of different dinners and dances. A participant in the Elks National Foundation Scholarships program, the Lodge has worked to give generous amounts of funding to deserving recipients each year. In addition, the group delivers supplies to the Syracuse VA Hospital, as well as the Oswego VA Clinic, and uses its Disabled American Veterans van to help transport veterans to and from appointments.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in celebrating the Oswego Elks Lodge's 125 years of service to Oswego and the greater community of Central New York. As one of the region's leading civic and social fraternities, the Lodge deserves acknowledgement and praise for its countless years of charitable service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Reverend Samuel Joseph May, who served as the second minister of the Unitarian Church of the Messiah in Syracuse from 1845 to 1868. Reverend May spent his career championing prevalent social issues in the 19th century, including abolitionism, women's rights and education reform. For his advocacy of abolition, Reverend May was inducted into the National Abolition Hall of Fame in October 2018.

Samuel Joseph May was born on September 12, 1797 in Boston, Massachusetts. Following an incident that caused the death of his older brother, May decided to devote his life to God. He graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 1820 and became a Unitarian minister in Connecticut. Reverend May was the only Unitarian minister in Connecticut and this propelled him to the forefront of the Unitarian movement. Throughout the 1820's, Reverend May spread the Unitarian message with lectures and publications, such as the The Liberal Christian. His broader goal during this time was to create a more peaceful society and reform the education system.

In 1830, Reverend May was inspired to join the abolitionist movement after meeting William Lloyd Garrison. He began working with several anti-slavery organizations, striving to create racial equality and improve education in schools throughout New England. In 1845, after 15 years of advocacy in the abolitionist movement, Reverend May settled in Syracuse and became the pastor at the Unitarian Church of the Messiah.

Reverend May was extensively involved in aiding escaped slaves along the Underground Railroad after joining the Syracuse community. Most notably, he assisted in the rescue of a slave named William Henry who had been captured by local authorities. His efforts were ultimately successful and William Henry became a free man. Also while living in Syracuse, May increased his advocacy for women's rights and suffrage. His piece The Rights and Condition of Women spoke of struggles women faced in the 19th century, most notably the lack of women's voting rights. On July 1, 1871, Samuel Joseph May passed away at the age of 73.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in celebrating the work of Reverend Samuel Joseph May. His efforts to free our world from the evils of slavery and create a more equal society set an outstanding example for all our communities. I congratulate Reverend May on his induction into the National Abolition Hall of Fame and applaud the efforts of all freedom fighters, past and present

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 25th anniversary of Nosotros Radio. Located in East Syracuse, New York, Nosotros Radio has long served the Central New York Latino community by providing on-air entertainment and education.

Nosotros Radio was founded in 1994 by Fanny Villarreal, an immigrant from Peru. Ms. Villarreal formed the new radio network due to a lack of Spanish radio programming in Syracuse and sought to entertain and inform the Hispanic community. Once established, Nosotros began broadcasting to the broader Syracuse region in order to reach Hispanic audiences. The station successfully achieved this goal and has provided cultural enrichment to the area for many years. For its work and community contributions, Nosotros Radio was awarded the American Red Cross Good Neighbor Award in 2009.

Today, Nosotros continues to be operated under Fanny Villarreal's steady leadership. In addition to Latino music, the station airs many bilingual talk shows and educational on-air programs. The radio station also holds the unique distinction of also serving as a Non-Profit Organization, striving to further connect its Latino audience with the greater Syracuse community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in celebrating Nosotros Radio's 25 years of serving Central New Yorkers. We must also applaud the efforts of community engagement workers like Fanny Villarreal around the nation, who work tirelessly to spread unique cultural viewpoints. It is my hope Nosotros continues to succeed in the future and further advances the Syracuse Hispanic community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mary Edwards Walker, an abolitionist, physician, and service member from Oswego, New York. Walker dedicated her life to the practice of medicine and her country, serving as a surgeon with the Union Army throughout the Civil War. In recognition of her service to protect this nation, Mary Walker is the only woman to ever receive the Medal of Honor.

Mary Edwards Walker was born in Oswego, New York and grew up in the decades leading up to the American Civil War. Born the youngest of seven children, Walker was raised in a manner that was well ahead of its time. Determined that their daughters get the same education as their sons, Walker's parents established an elementary school that she attended in the late 1830s. After primary school, Walker would continue her education at Falley Seminary in Fulton, New York. Attending Falley Seminary would instill in Walker the motivation she needed to defy the norms of her time.

Walker then studied at the Syracuse Medical College and graduated, with honors, as a medical doctor in 1855 and was the only female in her class. After marrying later that year, Walker and her husband joined together to establish a practice in Rome, New York. She would later attend Bowen Collegiate Institute in 1960 before returning to the medical profession full-time.

Though she was able to find eventual success in private practice, Walker answered to a higher calling and enlisted as a volunteer surgeon when the Civil War broke out. Though initially limited to serve strictly as a nurse, Walker would later be allowed to serve as an unpaid field surgeon during the Battles of Fredricksburg and Chickamauga. As the first female surgeon of the Union army, she later would be promoted to ``Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon'' and then appointed assistant surgeon of the 52nd Infantry of Ohio. In the spring of 1864, Walker was captured and arrested as a spy after aiding a Confederate doctor conduct an amputation. She was released four months later and spent the rest of her life in Oswego, New York, championing women's rights and suffrage.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me to honor the remarkable life of Mary Edwards Walker. She was a trailblazing figure from Central New York who paved the way for future Americans. Her many contributions to her community and service to her country will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould on his retirement after nearly fifty years of service to our community.

Mr. Gould joined the New York State Police in 1970 after serving in the U.S. Army. Following his 34-year career with the New York State Police, Mr. Gould worked as a Special Investigator for the Seneca County District Attorney's Office.

In November 2006, Mr. Gould was elected Cayuga County Sheriff. Since January 1, 2007 he has served as the County's Chief Law Enforcement Officer, leading an office of nearly 200 employees. After 48 years in law enforcement, Sheriff Gould will retire at the end of his term in 2018.

Spending nearly his entire career keeping communities safe, David Gould is truly a model public servant. Mr. Gould has put his service to the community above partisan politics. Since his election as Sheriff, Mr. Gould has worked tirelessly to combat the heroin epidemic, pursue human traffickers, and crack down on domestic abuse. His department has instituted and documented almost 50 new initiatives including the creation of two substations for the Sheriff's department in Cato and Moravia, ensuring the Cayuga County Sheriff's Department has representation in both northern and southern portions of the region. During his tenure, the Cayuga County Sheriff's Department has strengthened its relationship with members of the Auburn, Moravia, Port Byron and Weedsport Police Departments, the New York State Police Department, the FBI, the Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Attorney's Office.

I join members of my community in thanking Sheriff Gould for his career of public service, and wish him the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 90th anniversary of Haylor, Freyer & Coon, a small business in my district providing insurance assistance to residents across Upstate New York.

Haylor, Freyer & Coon was founded in 1928 when Barney E. Haylor and James McLusky opened a small four-person agency at the Herald Building in Syracuse, New York. Following the passing of Mr. McLusky, Barney Haylor partnered with Clayton F. Freyer in 1946 and Douglas Coon shortly after to establish the corporation that exists today. As time progressed, HF&C began to expand its presence by partnering with other local agencies across the state. Following the establishment of its Northern Divisions in 1984, Haylor, Freyer, & Coon grew to become the largest independently owned insurance agency in the state.

Today, Haylor, Freyer & Coon remains a leader within the insurance industry of Central New York. It has also been ISO 9001 certified by the International Standards Organization, which recognizes the agency's quality management principles and its strong customer focus. Staffed with a team of approximately 180 employees and 6 corporate offices, HF&C continues to be a valuable institution in the Central New York community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in celebrating Haylor, Freyer & Coon's go years of service to the state of New York. As one of the top 100 independently owned insurance agencies in the United States, HF&C continues to stay true to the principles it was found upon nine decades ago.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the Everson Museum of Art's 50th anniversary. Everson has long been the premier art museum in Central New York, helping drive the regional economy and contributing to the identity of our community. Located at 401 Harrison Street in downtown Syracuse, the building is considered a leading example 1960s architecture.

Everson traces its roots back to 1897, when art historian George Fisk Comfort established the Syracuse Museum of Fine Arts. The museum grew rapidly and was constantly changing its location to house an extensive collection. It was not until 1968 that a permanent museum was built, made possible through a generous donation by Helen Everson. In honor of Mrs. Everson's gift, the new art collection was renamed Everson Museum of Art.

The museum is home to nearly 11,000 pieces of art, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and videos. Notable works are portraits of George Washington, Edward Hick's The Peaceable Kingdom and several Marja Vallila sculptures. Additionally, Everson holds the distinction of displaying one of the first video art collections in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in recognizing Everson Museum of Art's 50th anniversary. Under the excellent leadership of Director Elizabeth Dunbar, it is my hope the museum continue to thrive for many years to come. Furthermore, I encourage my colleagues in the House to applaud all talented artists and their contributions to communities around the country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Canton Woods Senior Center. Located in Baldwinsville, New York, Canton Woods has been diligently serving the Central New York senior community for many years.

Canton Woods Senior Center was founded in 1978 when a group called The Senior Club purchased the old Baldwinsville medical center, which was built ten years prior. Additionally, the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth aided The Senior Club with the purchase. Canton Woods began serving three municipalities once it was established: Baldwinsville, Lysander and Van Buren. The facility has undergone two major renovations to expand the dining, kitchen and recreation areas since the original purchase.

Today, Canton Woods is operated by full- and part-time staff, as well as several devoted volunteers. Many services are available through the center including defensive driving education, an extensive library and various senior exercise classes. Canton Woods is unique in that any resident of Baldwinsville, Lysander or Van Buren who is at least 60 years of age may utilize its services free of charge. Furthermore, any senior residing in Onondaga County may visit Canton Woods for meals and participate in overnight trips.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in celebrating Canton Woods' 40 years of contributions to senior citizens. We must also applaud the efforts of caregivers, career and volunteer, around the nation. Seniors are an important part of the Central New York community and it is my hope facilities like Canton Woods continue to thrive throughout the country.