Student honored for 9/11 memorial; Assembly recognizes water-safety advocates and Italian American guests

The Assembly paused floor business to recognize community guests. Mister Jensen introduced Madison Lovato, an 11th-grade student from Hilton High School who organized a memorial display of 2,997 flags—each labeled with a victim's name and location—and created educational materials and a timeline exhibit for students and teachers.

Mister Jensen said Lovato’s work ‘‘reminds us that the legacy of 9/11 must never fade’’ and welcomed her and her family to the chamber. The introduction noted that members of an honor guard paused to assist while she was setting up the display, and praised Lovato’s civic engagement and leadership.

Members also recognized guests participating in National Water Safety Awareness Month. Miss Chandler Waterman introduced Sherma Chambers, director of Mother’s of Safe City, and Aminah Noah, whose son Elijah Chandler drowned on June 21, 2024. The introducer noted a New York City ‘‘Swim for Life’’ program at Radford High School and described a free New York State learn-to-swim program at the Hebrew Education Society in Canarsie as a tribute and a prevention effort. Miss Chandler Waterman said, ‘‘We hope one day to say not another child was lost.’’

Mister Gandolfo introduced several Italian American leaders and guests visiting the chamber for cultural celebrations, and Mister Durso introduced his father, John Durso, who was to receive an Italian American Heritage Award; the introducer noted John Durso’s leadership roles with Local 338 and the Long Island Federation of Labor and referenced his receipt of an Ellis Island Award.

These recognitions were delivered as part of routine introductions and did not reflect formal floor action on legislation in the transcript excerpt.