Honoring Andrew Matalone upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2026 Seaford Fire Department Keith P. Kern Member of the Year Award

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Rhoads

The bill grants formal Senate recognition to Andrew Matalone for his long-time leadership and service with the Seaford Fire Department, honoring him as the 2026 Keith P. Kern Membe

REFERRED TO FINANCE

Summary of Bill J02107 (Senate Resolution No. 2107) – 2025-2026 Session, New York

Purpose

To honor and recognize Andrew Matalone on the occasion of his designation as the recipient of the 2026 Seaford Fire Department Keith P. Kern Member of the Year Award.

The bill is a commemorative Senate resolution acknowledging Matalone’s service, leadership, and dedication to the Seaford Fire Department and the local community.

Key Provisions and Changes

The resolution acknowledges:

Andrew Matalone’s long-standing commitment to the Seaford Fire Department, including his involvement since joining at age 18.
His leadership, reliability, and positive impact as a member of the department, including participation in alarms, trainings, and various department activities.
His journey from the Juniors Program to active membership and his role as a positive example and volunteer contributor.
The Seaford Fire Department Keith P. Kern Member of the Year Award’s purpose: to honor a member who exemplifies dedication, leadership, service, and community commitment.

The bill designates the Legislature’s recognition as a formal honor and directs that a suitably engrossed copy be transmitted to Andrew Matalone.

Who/What Is Affected

Individual: Andrew Matalone (honored recipient).

Seaford Fire Department community and its members, by highlighting exemplary service and reinforcing values of dedication and teamwork.

The New York State Senate as the body issuing the commemorative resolution.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Sponsorship: Prime sponsor Senator Rhoads; co-sponsor Steve Rhoads.

Status: Referred to the Finance Committee on May 14, 2026 (action history indicates referral rather than passage, typical for resolutions awaiting floor consideration and formalization).

Nature of bill: A ceremonial/recognition resolution, not a substantive law or appropriation, with no fiscal impact expected.

Impact and Significance

Provides formal, public recognition for an individual Fire Department member’s exemplary service.

May serve to elevate the profile of volunteer firefighters and encourage community involvement and volunteering.

Represents an official statement of appreciation from the New York Senate and preserves the memory and values associated with the Keith P. Kern Memorial Award.

If you’d like, I can add a brief background on the Keith P. Kern Memorial Award or place this resolution in the context of standard commemorative bills in the New York Legislature.