Bill Text: NY J01290 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending former Senator James L. Seward for more than three decades of distinguished service to the people of New York State
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-01-11 - ADOPTED [J01290 Detail]
Download: New_York-2021-J01290-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 1290
BY: Senator GRIFFO
COMMENDING former Senator James L. Seward for more
than three decades of distinguished service to the
people of New York State
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those individuals of outstanding 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; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing tradition, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
reflect upon those extraordinary individuals who have made everlasting
contributions on behalf of their fellow men and women and have left
their mark on this great Empire State; Senator James L. Seward is one
such individual; he truly devoted his life to serving his government
with integrity and commitment for the sole purpose of serving the needs
of others; and
WHEREAS, A native of Otsego County, Senator James L. Seward attended
Oneonta public schools and graduated from Hartwick College with a
Bachelor of Arts degree in political science; he also studied at the
Nelson Rockefeller Institute of SUNY Albany, and in 1999, he received an
honorary Doctor of Laws degree from his alma mater; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, Senator James L. Seward was elected to the New
York State Senate representing the 50th District and was appointed
Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee; in his
final term, he represented the 51st District, which consists of
Schoharie, Otsego, and Cortland Counties, as well as parts of Tompkins,
Herkimer, Chenango, Cayuga, Delaware, and Ulster Counties; and
WHEREAS, In December of 2020, Senator James L. Seward officially
retired after more than three decades of service; and
WHEREAS, As a trailblazing legislator and State leader, Senator
James L. Seward was well-known for his effective leadership and
steadfast commitment to his constituents; during his notable career, he
worked tirelessly to create jobs and provide health care for all; and
WHEREAS, During his distinguished tenure in this Legislative Body,
Senator James L. Seward sponsored numerous bills that were enacted into
law and have made deep and lasting changes to better the lives of the
residents of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Senator James L. Seward was responsible for the Power for
Jobs program which helped retain and create thousands of jobs in New
York, and partnered with local economic development groups and
governments to boost business; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, Senator James L. Seward assumed chairmanship of
the Senate Standing Committee on Insurance; in this capacity, he fought
to reform and broaden health insurance coverage, creating wider
availability of health insurance for the uninsured; and
WHEREAS, Senator James L. Seward also worked with local schools to
open School Based Health Centers providing vital services for students
in rural districts who would otherwise struggle to access medical care;
and
WHEREAS, In 2002, Senator James L. Seward won passage of legislation
which extends group health insurance offered by chambers of commerce to
sole proprietors of businesses, and in 2008, secured legislative
approval of a bill to provide short term health insurance policies to
young adults and college students; and
WHEREAS, Senator James L. Seward was recognized statewide for his
Freedom Plan to match simpler, lower cost health insurance policies with
federally authorized health savings accounts; this legislation is
considered an innovative approach to addressing the rising cost of
health insurance for employers and their employees; and
WHEREAS, Senator James L. Seward sponsored the Health Insurance
Premium Integrity Act to boost the percentage of premium dollars spent
directly on health care, and was responsible for broadening health
insurance coverage for voluntary firefighters and EMTs by letting them
purchase policies through their municipalities; and
WHEREAS, This dedicated public servant also served as Chairman of
the Senate Task Force on Volunteer Emergency Services where he was
instrumental in establishing a low interest loan program for the capital
needs and equipment purchases of voluntary fire departments and
emergency squads; he won funding increases for the program and for the
state fire academy in order to improve training for firefighters; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Senator James L. Seward co-sponsored the
original STAR Program, which has saved individual homeowners thousands
of dollars and was a strong advocate for farmers; he successfully fought
for state funding for numerous agricultural programs, including the ROPs
Rebate Program which has helped farmers retrofit tractors with
lifesaving Rollover Protection Devices; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Cynthia and their
two grown children, Ryan and Lauren, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Every citizen in New York State has most certainly
benefited, in one way or another, from the deep dedication, intelligence
and commitment that Senator James L. Seward 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
commend former Senator James L. Seward for more than three decades of
distinguished service to the people of New York State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to former Senator James L. Seward.
