Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. announced recently that the New York State Senate passed legislation that would provide continued health insurance coverage to the spouses of deceased retired members of New York City's Police and Fire Departments.

"In the wake of the Sept. 11 tragedy in New York City, we must further acknowledge and understand of the sacrifices that firefighters and police officers routinely make each and every day," Fuschillo said. "Many retired officers who never lost their sense of duty to the people, responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center and lost their lives. This legislation will help ensure the retired police officers and firefighters of New York that, in the event of their death, their spouse's health insurance coverage can continue."

According to Fuschillo, current law guarantees the right to health insurance coverage of the surviving spouses of police officers and firefighters whose lives are lost in the line of duty. This legislation would afford the spouses of deceased retired police officers and firefighters the same opportunity to continue their health insurance coverage for their dependents.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. announced recently that the New York State Senate passed legislation to provide $300,000 to cover the tuition expenses of almost 300 members of the State National Guard who are due to receive the benefits under the state's National Guard Recruitment and Retention Incentive Program.

"The State offers college tuition assistance to young people willing to sign up for the National Guard in New York as a way to reward and recruit new members," Fuschillo said. "Now more than ever, we recognize the need for their services and sacrifices."

According to Fuschillo, this legislation immediately provided $300,000 from the General Fund for the payment of tuition benefits offered to eligible members of the State's National Guard. This appropriation makes it possible for approximately 300 eligible applicants to receive Recruitment and Retention Incentive Program benefits.

The Recruitment and Retention Incentive Program entitles any active member who has successfully completed their advanced individual training or other requirements set by the Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA) and who is a New York state resident, to a tuition benefit upon enrollment in a degree-producing curriculum in any institution.