Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 7, 1997

Release #010-97

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972


MAYOR GIULIANI SIGNS LEGISLATION MAKING FAMILIES OF SANITATION WORKERS WHO DIE IN THE LINE OF DUTY
ELIGIBLE FOR LARGER AWARDS

Remarks by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani at Public Hearing on Local Laws

There are two bills before me for consideration this afternoon.

The first bill Introductory Number 887 was introduced, at my request, by Speaker Vallone, Council Members Rivera, Michels, Clarke, Malave-Dilan, Duane, Henry, Lasher, Linares, Ruiz, Fusco, Ognibene, and twenty of their colleagues. The bill will amend section 3-402 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York in relation to awards to survivors of members of the uniformed sanitation force killed while engaged in the discharge of duty.

Currently, the Administrative Code authorizes the granting of monetary awards to survivors of members of other uniformed forces - police officers, firefighters, and members of the uniformed correction force. This bill will provide much deserved parity for uniformed sanitation workers who provide an essential, and sometimes dangerous, service to the City of New York.

As many of you know, an extremely unfortunate tragedy - the death of uniformed sanitation worker Michael Hanly, a 22-year Department veteran, prompted the legislation under consideration today. On Tuesday, November 12, 1996, sanitation workers Michael Hanly and Thomas Giammarino were on their regular sanitation collection duties in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. A plastic container of what appears to be hydrofluoric acid had been left, illegally, for curbside collection in the vicinity of 84th Street and New Utrecht Avenue. After the container was placed in the collection truck, it burst during the compacting process. The acid splashed Mr. Hanly, and he suffered fatal injuries. He died later that day in the emergency room of New York Hospital's Cornell Burn Unit.

This law will give me and future mayors the ability to recognize the dedication of New York's Strongest, the uniformed sanitation workers like Michael Hanly, who give their lives in the line of duty. We are all shocked and dismayed at this irresponsible act which jeopardized the public's safety. While the investigation into this incident continues, I can take some comfort at this particular moment because now we can ease the financial burden faced by families, like the Hanlys, at this terrible time.

I would like to thank Speaker Peter Vallone, Council Member Jose Rivera, Chairman of the Committee on Civil Service and Labor, and all the members of the City Council for their swift and decisive action on this legislation.

I will now turn to the bill's sponsor; next to any other elected official wishing to speak.

I will now turn to the general audience. Is there anyone wishing to speak in favor of this legislation? Is there anyone wishing to speak in opposition?

There being none, and for reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.



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