Retiring Senator Ken LaValle Sends Heartfelt Farewell Message

LONG ISLAND, NY — After more than four decades in office, retiring New York State Senator Ken LaValle wrote a farewell message to his constituents.

In January, after 44 years in office, LaValle announced his retirement at an event in Port Jefferson. Earlier in December, Republican Anthony Palumbo declared victory in the race for a 1st Senate District seat held by LaValle.

Here is LaValle's farewell message, in its entirety:

"I sit to write this statement with a heart full of gratitude to the residents of the First Senatorial District for their unwavering trust in me, and their commitment to the many goals we have achieved together throughout the years. A famous proverb teaches us that 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.' Your support from the beginning of my tenure allowed me to take that first step. But just as every journey has a beginning, it must also have an end and today it is with a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment that I complete my final term in office as your state senator.

"The First Senatorial District is truly a special place. Geographically, it is one of the largest and most beautiful Senate districts in the state, spanning from Brookhaven in the west, to Montauk and Fisher’s Island in the east. But the true beauty of this district lies in the heart of its people. I have been privileged to represent these hardworking, impassioned and compassionate individuals, who have stood side-by-side with me to ensure that we preserve our quality of life and advance the goals so important to individuals and families in our region.

"It would take a lifetime to thank all the people who have guided me along this journey. We have been a team made up of the multitudes of constituents who have taken the time to meet with me and share their stories and concerns, diverse groups who have educated me on the importance of their causes, college officials and school superintendents who have passionately advocated for students, volunteers who give up their time to serve our community in so many important ways, first responders who put the safety of others before their own, scientists from Brookhaven National Lab who make cutting edge discoveries, fisherman and farmers who put food on our tables, and my partners in government who work tirelessly to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all these individuals and groups. The initiatives we advanced were successful because they were rooted in the ideas and efforts of our local people who set out to make a difference in their community.

'Early on in my career I set goals, and to the people who elected me, I made promises. I did not rest until these goals were achieved. I promised to protect our quality of life and was successful in advancing so many environmental measures, most importantly preserving over 100,000 acres of Pine Barrens for future generations. I promised to deliver meaningful property tax relief and was able to put in place the successful STAR tax-relief program. I promised quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare and now Stony Brook Medicine has come to our hospitals on the east end and throughout the region. I promised to fight for quality education and state aid allowing our schools to thrive. As chairman of the Senate higher education committee for four decades, I worked to grow and enhance our state university system. I have fought tirelessly for the developmentally disabled population to ensure their needs are met and I have made mental health services a priority, especially on the east end which was dramatically underserved.

"With the start of every new legislative session, issues of statewide significance are put before members of the legislature and a state budget of over $100 billion is negotiated. While this work is incredibly important, as I reflect on my career, it was the small victories not the major successes that are foremost in my memory. It was the fight to get housing for the medically fragile, developmentally disabled child who no one would house. It was getting the power turned back on for the senior citizen on a fixed income who had to choose between their prescription medication and paying their utility bill. It was watching a staff member help a constituent who could not read, sort out his bills once a month. And the list goes on.

"I am blessed to have been given your trust and the opportunity to serve in a job that I have loved for more than 40 years. Working together we have accomplished so many goals important to residents of the First Senatorial District. While I know this has been a challenging year, I am heartened by the spirit of our friends and neighbors who have answered the call. Thank you for allowing me to serve our community and work with you over these past four decades. Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year."

LaValle, 81 (R-Port Jefferson), who was first elected in 1976 to represent the 1st Senate District — which includes all of eastern Suffolk County — has held his post longer than any other member of the Senate, has led a career marked by his devotion to the environment, education, and health care in the communities he has served. Known for his trademark red baseball cap, he has attended countless community events, getting to know his constituents firsthand.

Speaking with Patch in January, LaValle reflected on what prompted his decision not to run again. "It was just the right time," he said. "I want to spend more time with my bride Penny and my dog Winston. I'm a very fortunate person. From early childhood on, I've been very blessed, just a happy guy, to be surrounded by so many good things — good parents, good friends, good job choices."

Moving ahead, LaValle, who was formerly a fifth grade teacher and principal in the Middle Country school district and was appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education in 1979, hopes to possibly find a new path in education at Stony Brook University, where he can continue to nurture his "inquisitive spirit."

He and his wife hope to work together on a book, as well.

Looking back on the accomplishments of which he is most proud, LaValle said the enactment of the Pine Barrens Preservation Act of 1993, as well as his environmental record and his record in education, hold deep meaning.

"I said to myself when I was elected, 'When I look east I never want to see what happened in the west,'" LaValle said. "That was major goal of mine. The first year I was in office we passed the Farmland Preservation Act, then the Pine Barren Preservation Act and the Community Preservation Fund — so it's all been about preserving and keeping, for the people who live there, the same lifestyle that they have been used to. The very reason why they chose to live on eastern Long Island."

LaValle was born in Born in Brooklyn, NY and graduated from Hempstead High School. An attorney, he earned his undergraduate degree at Adelphi College, a degree in education from the State University College at New Paltz, and a J.D. degree from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. He received an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law Degree from Dowling College.

He has helped shape higher education policy in New York State for more than 30 years and has worked with education leaders at the State University of New York, City University of New York and independent colleges. LaValle also served on the National Council of State Legislatures' Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education, which had a goal of creating awareness among state legislatures regarding their role in providing accessible and affordable public higher education.
LaValle aworked to establish a burn unit at Stony Brook University Medical Center; he has also advocated for the rights of cancer patients, the disabled, and the terminally ill. He was instrumental in creating the Long Island High Technology Incubator at Stony Brook University and championed the Stony Brook University Incubator at Calverton. Real property tax relief has also been an important priority for LaValle, who helped to develop the STAR program.

As he readies to pass the torch, LaValle said his news has elicited a response from the many he's worked with for so many years. "My colleagues have said, 'You've created quite a record.' Coming from your colleagues, that's the greatest compliment you can get."

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, said, of LaValle: "For more than four decades, Senator LaValle has served as a powerful voice for Suffolk County, working across the aisle to deliver results for his constituents. Whether he was working to protect and preserve the East End or shaping higher education across the state, Senator LaValle's long list of accomplishments have left an indelible mark on Long Island. Senator LaValle has been a friend, a fighter for his community and a great statesman and I wish him well in his future endeavors."

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell also shared his thoughts.

"Sen. LaValle is an icon of the East End," he said. "He has a deep commitment and passion for the people he has represented in Albany. The projects made possible with funds he secured are too numerous to mention. From protecting our environment, our quality of life and keeping us safe, Ken has been a fierce advocate for the 1st District. There will never been another one like Ken and I am sorry to see him retire, but wish him the best."

Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman — Schneiderman also served as East Hampton Town Supervisor and a Suffolk County Legislator — said he has worked with LaValle for more than 20 years. "He's always been just tremendous to work with. He's been a compassionate leader on education, on environmental issues, on infrastructure." LaValle, he said, has been a friend to the East End, helping to secure a grant for $7 million for preservation in East Hampton; working to save the campus at Stony Brook Southampton after Long Island University shuttered; supporting initiatives at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, "and the simplest things, such as road improvements and culverts. I've never seen him be partisan. He always acts in what he believes is the public's interest," Schneiderman said. He added: "If anybody deserves a chance to kick back and enjoy the fruits of their labor, it's certainly Ken LaValle. I wish him the best. He certainly has earned his retirement. He has an extraordinary record and legacy of service."

His next chapter, LaValle said, will involve returning to his roots, working with students. "One of the things I'm going to explore — I'm very fascinated with generational changes. There's the Greatest Generation, I'm the Silent Generation, and now there are the millennials. I want to, in an academic way, analyze the differences in generations and what was taking place in society to shape those ideals."

One thing is for sure, LaValle won't be sitting idly. "My mind is always going. People have said, 'Do you ever shut it off?'" All he has become started with his mother's words, LaValle said. "She told us, 'Every day, ask yourself, 'How are you being relevant?' When we asked my mom how we do that, she said, without blinking an eye, 'Follow the young people.' I was a classroom teacher. That has never left me. Teaching, instilling information in people that will be useful to them and that they will then, impart to other, is so important."

As he bids adieu to his constituents, LaValle has a message: "I've enjoyed them. I hope we can continue protecting the East End of Long Island."