Saturday, July 30, 2011

NEW YORK STATE SENATE: THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD


         
         THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
         ALBANY, NEW YORK
         May 2, 2011
         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 everyone 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: Senator Skelos.
         
SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, I feel very honored today to have with us a unique spiritual leader who is truly revered around the world.
         His Holiness Brahmrishi founded one of the largest spiritual institutes in India. He has devoted his life to improving human welfare among people of all faiths and religions. He has inspired millions of people around the world to dedicate their lives to helping others.
         It is an honor and pleasure to have him join us today and deliver the invocation for our session.
         Your Holiness.
         
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Thank you.
         Your Holiness.
         BRAHMRISHI SHRI KUMAR SWAMI JI: Respected Senators [in Hindi].
         MS. BHALLA: Good afternoon, Senators. You have just heard Param Pujya Shri Kumar Swami Ji, one of the most renowned spiritual leaders of India, deliver his invocation prayer in Hindi.
         At the outset, His Holiness expressed his gratitude and said: "Esteemed Senators of New York have shown enormous graciousness by inviting me to this chamber. Millions of people around the world salute you and express their gratitude for the great love and affection you have all shown towards me. I also express my sincere gratitude to the government of New York State, its generous people, its scientists, and the intellectuals of this great country."
         Then His Holiness offered the following prayer: "O God, please guard and guide all members of the Senate of the State of New York. Instill in them the wisdom, the courage, and the right spirit so the political activity in this esteemed Senate can be a powerful instrument for human transformation and contribute to the physical and spiritual well-being of the citizens of this great state and this great country.
         "May this body continue to embrace diversity without resulting in divisiveness. May this Senate seek and celebrate unity without imposing uniformity. May these Senators work to the best of their abilities without becoming attached to the fruits of their work. May they promote justice, moral clarity, ethical living, acts of kindness, and most of all righteousness. Because where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. Where there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. Where there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. And where there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world."
         (Applause.)
         MS. BHALLA: Thank you.
         And now, on behalf of the entire Indian-American community across New York State and the United States, may I please take this opportunity to thank Majority Leader Senator Dean Skelos for leading the effort to honor His Holiness in this august body.
         I would also like to thank all other Senators who have supported the resolution honoring His Holiness. Thank you very much.
         (Applause.)
         
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Senator Skelos.
         
SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, we have a few items to run through. But I would ask His Holiness if he could stay. We will be adopting a resolution in about 30 seconds honoring him for his visit today.
         If we could go to the reading of the Journal, please.
         
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: Reading of the Journal.
         THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Sunday, May 1st, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Saturday, April 30th, 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 Skelos.
         
SENATOR SKELOS: Mr. President, there's a Resolution 1165, which I've sponsored. If we could have it read in its entirety and move for its immediate adoption.
         
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The Secretary will read.
         THE SECRETARY: Legislative Resolution Number 1165, by Senator Skelos, welcoming and commending His Holiness Brahmrishi Shri Kumar Swami Ji upon the occasion of delivering the invocation at the opening of the session of the New York State Senate on May 2, 2011.
         "WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to bring full recognition and just tribute to those individuals of religious commitment who accept the responsibility of moral leadership and render the wisdom of human understanding; and
         "WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is honored to welcome and commend His Holiness Brahmrishi Shri Kumar Swami Ji upon the occasion of delivering the invocation at the opening of the session of the New York State Senate on May 2, 2011; and
         "WHEREAS, Brahmrishi Shri Kumar Swami Ji is the founder of the Bhagwan Shree Lakshami Narayan Dham, one of the largest spiritual institutes in India dedicated to the welfare of people of all faiths and religions, with an outstanding and inspiring record of community service; and
         "WHEREAS, This prominent spiritual leader is one of the most scholarly figures of world religions who holds devout lectures across India, Europe, the United States and Canada which are attended by tens of thousands of people and are watched by millions on television; and
         "WHEREAS, Brahmrishi Shri Kumar Swami Ji is one of the most renowned scholars of Ayurveda, India's 5,000-year-old system of medicine, and is an inspiration behind medical research being done to bridge the gap between the Eastern and Western medicine; and
         "WHEREAS, Brahmrishi Shri Kumar Swami Ji has been recognized and acclaimed with honors, awards, and accolades by organizations and governmental bodies at the local, state, national and international level; and
         "WHEREAS, The spiritual guidance and nurturing of the citizens of the State of New York is of great importance to the vitality and well-being of our communities; now, therefore, be it
         "RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend His Holiness Brahmrishi Shri Kumar Swami Ji upon the occasion of delivering the invocation at the opening of the session of the New York State Senate on May 2, 2011, and be it further
         "RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to His Holiness Brahmrishi Shri Kumar Swami Ji."
         
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: 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 Skelos.
         
SENATOR SKELOS: Again, we thank His Holiness for being here.
         We will take a five-minute break. If any members wish to take a picture, we'll do so right by the clock.
         So again, thank you very much.
         (Applause.)
         
ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO: The Senate stands at ease.
         (Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 3:20 p.m.)
         (Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 3:29 p.m.

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