Commending Sergeant Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr., posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michelle Hinchey

Ceremonially commend Sergeant Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr. posthumously for his service and Liberty Medal honor, with formal recognition and communications of the commendation.

REFERRED TO FINANCE

Overview

Bill Number: J 395

Title: Commending Sergeant Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr., posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

Status: REFERRED TO FINANCE

Introduced: February 20, 2025

Classification: Resolution

Sponsor: Michelle Hinchey (primary)

Purpose and Intent

The bill seeks to publicly honor and commend Sergeant Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr., posthumously, on the occasion of his designation as a Liberty Medal recipient.

The resolution expresses the New York State Senate’s appreciation for Rogers’s service and sacrifices and formally recognizes him as a Liberty Medal recipient, described as the highest honor bestowed by the Senate.

Key Provisions

A formal statement recognizing and honoring Sergeant Rogers for his service and posthumous Liberty Medal designation.

A directive to the Clerk of the Senate to transmit copies of the resolution to appropriate parties (e.g., Rogers’s family and relevant authorities/organizations) to convey the Senate’s commendation.

Inclusion of appropriate language reflecting the gravity of Rogers’s service and the significance of the Liberty Medal honor.

As a resolution, there are no explicit new statutes or enforcement mechanisms, and no new appropriations are typically created by this type of measure. Any associated costs would be reviewed by the Finance committee, if applicable.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Primary Affected: Sergeant Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr., and his family (in terms of formal recognition and commemorative acknowledgment).

Broader Impact: Members of the New York State Senate, law enforcement and public safety communities, and the general public who follow Senate acknowledgments and honors. The measure serves as a ceremonial gesture of tribute rather than a policy change.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Current Path: In the 2025 session, referred to the Finance committee on February 20, 2025. The record shows two identical entries of “REFERRED TO FINANCE” on that date.

Next Steps (typical): If advanced, the resolution would proceed through committee review, potential amendments, and, if approved, be brought to the Senate floor for a vote. Given its nature as a ceremonial resolution, approval would likely be routine if no fiscal concerns arise.

Fiscal Considerations: As a commemorative resolution, direct fiscal impact is not anticipated. Any minor costs (e.g., printing or distribution) would fall under normal legislative operations and would be assessed by the Finance committee if relevant.

Summary

Bill J 395 is a ceremonial resolution to posthumously commend Sergeant Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr. for his service and designation as a Liberty Medal recipient, the Senate’s highest honor. Introduced and referred to the Finance committee on February 20, 2025, the measure expresses formal recognition and directs appropriate communications of the commendation.

Bill