Mourning the death of Arthur Francis Harkins, Jr., distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Harckham

The bill memorializes Arthur F. Harkins, Jr. for his long public service in local fire departments and his role as a devoted community member.

REFERRED TO FINANCE

Summary of Bill J 2296 (Session 2025-2026, New York)

Purpose and Intent

This bill is a Senate Resolution that memorializes and honors the life and contributions of Arthur Francis Harkins, Jr. (64), a longtime resident of Verplanck, New York.

Its primary purpose is to pay tribute to Harkins’ public service, family role, and community involvement, recognizing his impact on the state and local communities.

Key Provisions and Changes

The resolution acknowledges Harkins’ death on April 11, 2026.

It provides a narrative of his life, including:

Birth: November 13, 1961, in Peekskill, New York.
Public service: Longtime member of the Montrose Fire Department and the Buchanan Fire Department.
Family and personal life: Married to Kristin O'Sullivan-Harkins; parent to Amanda Fell and Thomas Ventura; grandfather to five (Miles, Avi, Grayson, TJ, Connor); siblings and extended family are listed.
Personal interests: Enjoyed spending time with family, love for the Boston Red Sox and New York Giants, golf, travel, and relaxing with a beer.
Community role: Described as a devoted community member and life of gatherings, known for humor and wit.

The resolution memorializes Harkins and directs that a suitably engrossed copy be transmitted to his family.

Who or What Is Affected

The immediate effect is ceremonial: it formally records the passing of Arthur F. Harkins, Jr., and acknowledges his contributions.

The bill affects the legislative record and honors his memory within New York State's official acts.

Family and community members are identified as the beneficiaries of the tribute, though no financial or regulatory changes are enacted.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Action History: Referred to the Senate Finance Committee on May 29, 2026.

Sponsor: Senator Pete Harckham (with a co-sponsor listed).

Nature of action: A simple memorial resolution; no appropriation, policy change, or regulatory measure is proposed.

The bill serves as a formal acknowledgment by the Legislature rather than legislation with enforceable duties or funding.

Observations

This is a commemorative resolution typical of honoring notable citizens for their service and community impact.

It highlights Harkins’ dual role as a public servant (fire departments) and family/community figure, preserving his legacy in the legislative record.

If you’d like, I can provide a brief comparison to other similar memorial resolutions or extract a standardized template for future memorials.