Designates a portion of the state highway system as the "NYPD Detective Brian P. Simonsen Memorial Bridge" located in the town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7123A
SPONSOR: Giglio JA TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of
the state highway system as the "NYPD Detective Brian P. Simonsen Memo-
rial Bridge"
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Designates all that portion of the state highway system constituting the
Halsey Manor Road overpass at the Long Island expressway as the "NYPD
Detective Brian P. Simonsen Memorial Bridge".
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the highway law by adding a new section 344-p, provid-
ing all that portion of the state highway system constituting the Halsey
Manor Road overpass at the Long Island expressway in the town of Brook-
haven, county of Suffolk, shall be known as the "NYPD Detective Brian P.
Simonsen Memorial Bridge".
Section 2: States that the commissioner of transportation shall provide
for the installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state
highway systems as designated pursuant to section 1_ of this act. The
designation will be for ceremonial purposes .only, and the official name
of the bridge will not be changed assa result of this act.
Section 3: Provides the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Brian P. Simonsen was a NYPD detective who spent his entire 19-year
career at the 102nd Precinct in Queens. In February of 2019 Detective
Simonsen responded to a call for an armed robbery; despite being off
duty, he rushed to the scene rather than letting his colleagues face
danger alone. Detective Simonsen and his fellow officers took swift
action to apprehend the perpetrator, and during the crossfire he was
fatally wounded.
Detective Simonsen was a life-long resident of Riverhead and proud Long
Islander. Despite the daily 70-mile commute to his precinct, he remained
a committed member of his community, choosing to settle in Baiting
Hollow just a few miles from where he grew up. His precinct in Queens
was his "home away from home" and he'll always be a well-known and dear-
ly beloved member of both the East End and the neighborhoods he
protected in the 102nd Precinct. Detective Brian "Smiles" Simonsen over-
came many personal tragedies in his 42 years, earning his nickname for
his tireless positivity, his love of life, and how he naturally spread
laughter and goodwill wherever he went. He epitomized the spirit of
service, instinctually stepping forward to help anyone in need, whether
they be loved ones or complete strangers. He deeply treasured his fami-
ly, his many friends, and the love of his life, Leanne.
His memory lives on in all who loved him and through the work of the
Detective Brian "Smiles" Simonsen Memorial Foundation. The Foundation's
mission is to "Smile and Do Good" as Detective Simonsen always did.
Since May 2019 the Foundation has been doing charitable' work and commu-
nity service events for children, animals, and those in financial need
both on the East End of Long Island and in the 102nd Precinct in Queens.
This legislation will honor Detective Brian "Smiles" Simonsen by dedi-
cating the Halsey Manor Road bridge on the LI Expressway in his memory,
demonstrating to his loved ones that his service will not be forgotten
by the State of New York. Such memorials also show our heroes that the
communities they protect are eternally grateful for their service and,
if called to make the ultimate sacrifice, their legacy will endure the
test of time.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7123--A
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 11, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. J. A. GIGLIO, THIELE, GANDOLFO, DURSO -- read
once and referred to the Committee on Transportation -- recommitted to
the Committee on Transportation in accordance with Assembly Rule 3,
sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as
amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of
the state highway system as the "NYPD Detective Brian P. Simonsen
Memorial Bridge"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 344-p to
2 read as follows:
3 § 344-p. Portion of the state highway system to be designated as the
4 "NYPD Detective Brian P. Simonsen Memorial Bridge". All that portion of
5 the state highway system constituting the Halsey Manor Road overpass at
6 the Long Island Expressway in the town of Brookhaven, county of Suffolk,
7 shall be designated and known as the "NYPD Detective Brian P. Simonsen
8 Memorial Bridge".
9 § 2. The commissioner of transportation shall provide for the instal-
10 lation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state highway system
11 as designated pursuant to section one of this act. However, to avoid
12 confusion and to limit any possible disruption of commerce, the desig-
13 nation called for pursuant to section one of this act shall be one of
14 ceremonial nature and the official name of such bridge shall not be
15 changed as a result of this act.
16 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11162-02-4
