Resolution Honoring New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle with the University Medal 

WHEREAS, Senator Kenneth P. LaValle, after a career as a high school teacher and principal, was first elected to the New York State Senate in 1976 and was appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education in 1979, a committee on which he will continue to serve up until his last day in the New York State Senate on December 31, 2020; and   

WHEREAS, Senator LaValle was appointed to the New York State Commission on Higher Education which was charged with identifying ways of improving the quality of higher education in the State and served on the National Council of State Legislatures’ Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education; and 

WHEREAS, Senator LaValle became an expert on higher education issues and as a result helped shape higher education policy in New York State where his work with education leaders at the State University of New York, City University of New York and independent colleges has earned him the respect of the academic community; and 

WHEREAS, Senator LaValle recognized the potential of Stony Brook University and became the University’s greatest advocate as noted by his relentless and unwavering efforts to secure over a half a billion dollars in state funding and support throughout his tenure in the Senate to provide Stony Brook with the infrastructure and educational tools needed to make it the globally recognized research institution it is today; and  

WHEREAS, Senator LaValle’s support for the athletic department has enabled Stony Brook student athletes to compete at the highest levels of NCAA Division I competitions and his active assistance in helping Stony Brook University to acquire the campus now known as Stony Brook Southampton enabled the development of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Marine Science Lab, which is now helping to solve environmental and coastal resiliency issues across Long Island and around the world; and 

WHEREAS, Senator LaValle helped enable the construction of Stony Brook University Hospital, Long Island State Veterans Home, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, Medical and Research Technology building and more, allowing Stony Brook Medicine to deliver the best in education, research and patient care.  His support for a clinically integrated network has assisted Stony Brook Medicine’s ability to deliver the highest levels of health care to the East End of Long Island through the management of Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital; and 

WHEREAS, Senator LaValle has helped enable Stony Brook University to become an economic engine with a $7.6 Billion economic impact in New York State and further enabled the development of Stony Brook University’s Research and Development Park, development of New York State Centers of Excellence, and business incubators on the Stony Brook campus and in Calverton, NY, all of which have advanced research, job and business development; and 

WHEREAS, the above is just part of a long list of Senator LaValle’s many  accomplishments on behalf of Stony Brook University; and 

WHEREAS, Senator LaValle’s love and drive on behalf of Stony Brook University, evidenced by his tireless efforts and his trademark Stony Brook University red hat and attendance at campus sporting events, goes FAR BEYOND the list of accomplishments noted above and through which he has impacted the lives of countless students and patients who have benefitted from the highest quality education and the best health care; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE STONY BROOK COUNCIL, THAT: 

The Stony Brook University Council unanimously agreed to bestow upon New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle, the Stony Brook Council University Medal in gratitude and in tribute to his leadership and public service.  Senator LaValle has served the common good, and is hereby recognized for his exceptional achievements on behalf of Stony Brook University and furthermore, 

The Stony Brook Local Council authorizes chair, Kevin S. Law, to transmit this resolution to the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York.

December 7, 2020