Bill Text: NY J01012 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 1012 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Mourning the death of Mary Eileen Fitzgerald, a dedicated Bronxite, pioneering and distinguished detective with the NYPD, and devoted member of the community

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 43-20)

Status: (Passed) 2021-06-08 - ADOPTED [J01012 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J01012-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 1012

BY: Senator SERRANO

        MOURNING  the  death  of Mary Eileen Fitzgerald, a
        dedicated  Bronxite,  pioneering  and  distinguished
        detective  with  the NYPD, and devoted member of the
        community

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor  and  pay
tribute  to  those individuals whose commitment and service have greatly
contributed to the betterment of their community and the entire State of
New York; and

  WHEREAS, Mary Eileen Fitzgerald, a  resident  of  Roosevelt  Island,
died on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at the age of 98; and

  WHEREAS,  Born  in  the  Bronx  on  January 17, 1923, to parents who
immigrated from Ireland, Mary Eileen Fitzgerald was a life-time resident
of New York City; she rose from humble beginnings; her  mother  famously
arrived  from  Ireland with $1.25 to her name and her father passed away
suddenly during the throes of the Depression when she was only 15; and

  WHEREAS,  After  high  school  graduation,  Mary  Eileen  Fitzgerald
forwent an opportunity to attend Hunter College to join the workforce to
support  herself  and  her  mother; she operated a comptometer, an early
mechanical calculating machine, making little money and providing little
opportunity for advancement; her interest was piqued when a coworker one
day suggested that she take the exam for policewomen; and

  WHEREAS, In 1952, Mary Eileen Fitzgerald took her Civil Service test
to become a police officer, marking only the second time that women  had
been  eligible to test for police positions; today, the NYPD counts over
6,500 female officers among its ranks; she scored highly  on  her  exam,
was  fast-tracked through the police academy and sworn in as a member of
the New York Police Department in December of 1952; and

  WHEREAS, Mary Eileen Fitzgerald led  a  pioneering  and  illustrious
31-year career serving the citizens of New York with the NYPD; she broke
down  barriers  on  the  Pickpocket  Squad  and then in the Intelligence
Division; she was promoted to Detective in 1959, and promoted  again  to
Detective Second Grade in 1968; and

  WHEREAS,  Mary  Eileen Fitzgerald also won the June 1971 "Cop of the
Month" award, served in the Bureau of Policewomen, the  Queens  District
Attorney's  Squad,  the Special Frauds Squad and the Office of the Chief
of Detectives; and

  WHEREAS, During her time in the NYPD,  Mary  Eileen  Fitzgerald  was
tasked  with protecting several of the 20th Century's most iconic women,
from Israel's Prime Minister Golda Meir and Queen Sophia  of  Spain,  to
First Ladies Jackie Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson and Nancy Reagan; and

  WHEREAS, Mary Eileen Fitzgerald retired from the NYPD in 1983 at the
age of 60 to her residence on Roosevelt Island where she remained active
in volunteer work both on Roosevelt Island and in Manhattan; and

  WHEREAS,  In  2018,  this  distinguished Legislative Body recognized
Mary Eileen Fitzgerald as a New York State Woman of Distinction for  her
pioneering career and lifelong dedication to her community; and

  WHEREAS,  Mary  Eileen Fitzgerald is survived by her nephews, Peter,
Mark, and Vincent; niece, Jeanne; two grand-nieces, Lauren  and  Marissa
Fitzgerald;  and  grand-nephew,  John  Fitzgerald,  as well as countless
friends and neighbors who will long cherish her memory; now,  therefore,
be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Mary Eileen Fitzgerald, and to  express  its  deepest
condolences to her family; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Mary Eileen Fitzgerald.