Senate Resolution No. 2682

BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS

        CELEBRATING  former  Senator  Neil D. Breslin upon
        the occasion of his designation as the recipient  of
        the   President  Pro  Tempore  and  Senate  Majority
        Leader's Legislative Legacy Award

  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 Neil D.  Breslin  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,  Senator  Neil D. Breslin was first elected to the New York
State Senate in 1996 and was re-elected for an impressive 13 consecutive
terms following his initial years of service; in this esteemed position,
he was governed by a keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp
of human problems in his official acts; and

  WHEREAS, Senator Neil  D.  Breslin  represented  District  46  which
includes  parts  of  Albany  County,  parts  of  Schenectady County, and
Montgomery County; and

  WHEREAS, Senator Neil D. Breslin served as a long-time  Co-Chair  of
the  New  York  State  Legislative  Ethics  Commission and served on the
Conference Leadership team for over a decade; in 2019, he was  appointed
Vice President Pro Tempore; and

  WHEREAS,   Senator   Neil  D.  Breslin  served  as  the  former  and
longest-serving  President  of  the  National  Conference  of  Insurance
Legislators  (NCOIL)  and  former  Chair of NCOIL's Special Committee on
Race in Insurance Underwriting; and

  WHEREAS, As a State leader, Senator Neil D. Breslin  was  well-known
for   his   effective   leadership   and  steadfast  commitment  to  his
constituents; during his career, he worked  tirelessly  as  an  advocate
providing  leadership  and  meaningful initiatives that protect our most
vulnerable:  our  children,  seniors,  and  the  disadvantaged   through
homelessness  prevention programs, expanding access to health insurance,
supplemental nutrition, and safe, affordable housing; and

  WHEREAS, His passion for advocacy and action has brought both  light
and  aid to countless individuals and families who have fallen victim to
poverty, systemic inequality, addiction, or domestic violence; and

  WHEREAS, During his distinguished tenure in this  Legislative  Body,
Senator  Neil D. Breslin 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; among these important accomplishments are
laws to limit prescription drug formulary changes during a contract year
(Chapter  780  of  the  Laws  of  2021),  provide  for  pharmacy benefit
management and the procurement of prescription  drugs  at  a  negotiated
rate for dispensation (Chapter 828 of the Laws of 2021), and authorizing
payments  to  non-participating  or non-preferred providers of ambulance
services licensed under article 30 of the public health law (Chapter 649
of the Laws of 2023); and

  WHEREAS, As  the  Chair  of  the  New  York  State  Senate  Standing
Committee  on  Insurance,  Senator  Neil  D.  Breslin  was  dedicated to
protecting patients and healthcare consumers in New York; and

  WHEREAS, In acknowledgment of his longtime commitment to New  York's
public  colleges  and  universities,  Senator  Neil  D.  Breslin was the
recipient of numerous awards, including the auspicious UAlbany Medallion
Award; and

  WHEREAS, Senator Neil D. Breslin was not only known for his  success
as  a  legislator,  but  for  his passion for mentoring new legislators,
staff, and others, leaving a lasting impression on the  next  generation
of leaders and lawmakers; and

  WHEREAS,  Prior  to  his  service  in public office, Senator Neil D.
Breslin was a practicing attorney at a practice he formed with  his  two
brothers, Michael and Thomas; and

  WHEREAS,  Senator  Neil D. Breslin obtained a BS Degree in Political
Science on Academic Scholarship from Fordham College; and

  WHEREAS,  Senator  Neil  D.  Breslin  attended  law  school  at  the
University   of   Toledo,   and  while  he  was  there,  was  named  the
editor-in-chief of the Law Review; and

  WHEREAS, In light of his many accomplishments and historic impact on
the State Legislature and the Empire State  itself,  the  President  Pro
Tempore  and  Senate Majority Leader has bestowed the Legislative Legacy
Award to honor his legacy on this State and his beloved community on the
occasion of his retirement; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
celebrate  former  Senator  Neil  D.  Breslin  upon  the occasion of his
designation as the recipient of the President  Pro  Tempore  and  Senate
Majority Leader's Legislative Legacy Award; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Neil D. Breslin.