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Remarks by Mayor Giuliani at Public Hearing on Local Laws
The first bill before me today is Introductory Number 570, sponsored by Council
Member Cruz and six of her colleagues. The bill would allow New York City to
provide health insurance coverage to the surviving spouse and children of certain
deceased employees of the Police Department's Fleet Services Division.
I am pleased to sign this legislation today because I know how beneficial it will be for Anna Komnick and her family. Mrs. Komnick's husband, Lawrence, was a mechanic in the New York City Police Department's Fleet Services Division. He was tragically killed in October 1998 while repairing a department vehicle. Larry Komnick's unexpected death left his wife and children in difficult circumstances. In conjunction with the City Council, my Administration has attempted to assist the family in any way possible. In September 1999, I signed a bill awarding Mrs. Komnick a lump sum payment in an amount equal to her husband's annual salary. Now, because the Komnick family finds itself without health coverage, the City has decided to provide the family with health insurance.
Mr. Komnick was a dedicated civil servant and, of course, there is no legislation that we can enact to compensate for his family's loss. We can, however, honor his memory by helping his wife and children to live securely.
For the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.