Kenneth LaValle
Encyclopedia
Kenneth P. LaValle represents District 1 in the New York State Senate
, which comprises the five East End towns of Long Island, New York, and the eastern half of the Town of Brookhaven, New York
. First elected in 1976, he is the chair of the Higher Education Committee in the State Senate. He is the former executive director of the Education Committee. He is also a member of the Agriculture, Education, Finance and Rules committees, among other standing committee assignments. He was elected to another two-year term in 2008, running unopposed for the first time since assuming office.
LaValle graduated from Hempstead High School
. He received a B.S degree from Adelphi
College in 1961 and an M.S. in Education from SUNY New Paltz in 1964. He received a Juris Doctorate from the Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in 1987 and was admitted to the New York State Bar Association
in 1993. Senator LaValle is the father of two grown children and he resides in Port Jefferson, New York
, with his wife, Penny.
In 2007, the Governor appointed Senator LaValle to the New York State Commission on Higher Education, which was charged with identifying ways of improving the quality of higher education in the State. Senator LaValle also served on the National Council of State Legislatures’ Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education, whose goal was to create awareness among State Legislatures of their role in providing accessible and affordable public higher education.
Senator LaValle's achievements in education and higher education are matched by a distinguished record in health care and he is most proud of his work in establishing a Burn Unit at Stony Brook University Medical Center. His legislation to protect and advance the rights of patients earned him special recognition from the Suffolk County Breast Health Partnership. St. Charles Hospice also paid tribute to his efforts in developing a program for terminally ill patients in nursing homes. His commitment to quality health care is continued in his efforts to create an east end hospital alliance, ensuring continued access to vital health services on eastern Long Island.
Senator LaValle's environmental legacy is reflected in the enactment of the Pine Barrens Preservation Act of 1993. As the author of this historic legislation, he has assured the protection of environmentally-sensitive lands for generations to come and is often cited as a landmark initiative in the environmental well-being of Long Island. The Long Island Pine Barrens Society, the Group for the South Fork, the North Fork Environmental Council, the Peconic Land Trust, and the Nature Conservancy are but a few of the many organizations from which Senator LaValle has received praise for his positive contributions on environmental issues.
Throughout his tenure in the New York State Senate, real property tax relief has been an important priority for Senator LaValle. As a major architect in the development of the STAR program, he takes tremendous personal satisfaction in the benefits this initiative has brought to homeowners in the First Senatorial District.
Senator LaValle has also been a formidable advocate for the disabled. He was responsible for drafting much of the existing legislation providing disabled citizens with greater access to educational opportunities and continues to champion issues important to senior citizens. Senator LaValle has also advanced bills critical to local firefighters and veterans' organizations.
In recognition of his outstanding dedication to the people of New York State, Senator LaValle has been repeatedly named "Man of the Year" and "Legislator of the Year" by diverse groups of local and statewide organizations. He was also presented the Medallion of the University from the State University of New York at Albany and the University Medal from Stony Brook University in tribute to his work in higher education. Both awards are the highest honor accorded by the universities.
Extremely proud of his Italian heritage, Senator LaValle was privileged to receive the honorary title "Cavaliere al Merito della Repubblica Italiana" from the Italian Government for his work in education and promotion of cultural exchange.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Senator LaValle graduated from Hempstead High School on Long Island. He earned his undergraduate degree at Adelphi College, a degree in education from the State University College at New Paltz, and a J.D. degree from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Senator LaValle has completed extensive graduate study in Government and International Relations at New York University and received an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law Degree from Dowling College
. He is a practicing attorney.
Senator LaValle is the father of two grown children, James and Lisa, and has four grandchildren. He resides in Port Jefferson with his wife, Penny.
In addition to his standing committee assignments, Senator LaValle is Chairman of the Senate Majority Conference.
Standing Committee Assignments: Higher Education (Chair), Aging, Education, Environmental Conservation, Finance, Insurance, Judiciary, Rules. Senator LaValle also serves as a member of the New York State Commission on National and Community Service.
The Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium
at Stony Brook University bears his name.
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
, which comprises the five East End towns of Long Island, New York, and the eastern half of the Town of Brookhaven, New York
Brookhaven, New York
The Town of Brookhaven is one of the ten towns into which Suffolk County, New York, United States, has been divided. Part of the New York metropolitan area, it is located in central Suffolk County and is the only town in the county that stretches from the North Shore to the South Shore of Long...
. First elected in 1976, he is the chair of the Higher Education Committee in the State Senate. He is the former executive director of the Education Committee. He is also a member of the Agriculture, Education, Finance and Rules committees, among other standing committee assignments. He was elected to another two-year term in 2008, running unopposed for the first time since assuming office.
LaValle graduated from Hempstead High School
Hempstead High School (New York)
Hempstead High School is a public high school located in Hempstead, New York.-Design:The building is a three level structure with an open courtyard in the center of the school. The school is built on a marshy area and local legend holds that the school sinks a few inches every year...
. He received a B.S degree from Adelphi
Adelphi
The name Adelphi comes from the Greek word adelphoi, meaning "brothers".Adelphi may refer to:-United States:*Adelphi, Iowa*Adelphi, Maryland*Adelphi, New York*Adelphi, Ohio*Adelphi, Texas-Hotels:...
College in 1961 and an M.S. in Education from SUNY New Paltz in 1964. He received a Juris Doctorate from the Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in 1987 and was admitted to the New York State Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
The New York State Bar Association , with 77,000 members, is the largest voluntary bar association in the United States.-History:The State Bar was founded with a constitution that dates to 1877...
in 1993. Senator LaValle is the father of two grown children and he resides in Port Jefferson, New York
Port Jefferson, New York
The Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson is located in the town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the 2000 United States Census, the village population was 7,837...
, with his wife, Penny.
In 2007, the Governor appointed Senator LaValle to the New York State Commission on Higher Education, which was charged with identifying ways of improving the quality of higher education in the State. Senator LaValle also served on the National Council of State Legislatures’ Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education, whose goal was to create awareness among State Legislatures of their role in providing accessible and affordable public higher education.
Senator LaValle's achievements in education and higher education are matched by a distinguished record in health care and he is most proud of his work in establishing a Burn Unit at Stony Brook University Medical Center. His legislation to protect and advance the rights of patients earned him special recognition from the Suffolk County Breast Health Partnership. St. Charles Hospice also paid tribute to his efforts in developing a program for terminally ill patients in nursing homes. His commitment to quality health care is continued in his efforts to create an east end hospital alliance, ensuring continued access to vital health services on eastern Long Island.
Senator LaValle's environmental legacy is reflected in the enactment of the Pine Barrens Preservation Act of 1993. As the author of this historic legislation, he has assured the protection of environmentally-sensitive lands for generations to come and is often cited as a landmark initiative in the environmental well-being of Long Island. The Long Island Pine Barrens Society, the Group for the South Fork, the North Fork Environmental Council, the Peconic Land Trust, and the Nature Conservancy are but a few of the many organizations from which Senator LaValle has received praise for his positive contributions on environmental issues.
Throughout his tenure in the New York State Senate, real property tax relief has been an important priority for Senator LaValle. As a major architect in the development of the STAR program, he takes tremendous personal satisfaction in the benefits this initiative has brought to homeowners in the First Senatorial District.
Senator LaValle has also been a formidable advocate for the disabled. He was responsible for drafting much of the existing legislation providing disabled citizens with greater access to educational opportunities and continues to champion issues important to senior citizens. Senator LaValle has also advanced bills critical to local firefighters and veterans' organizations.
In recognition of his outstanding dedication to the people of New York State, Senator LaValle has been repeatedly named "Man of the Year" and "Legislator of the Year" by diverse groups of local and statewide organizations. He was also presented the Medallion of the University from the State University of New York at Albany and the University Medal from Stony Brook University in tribute to his work in higher education. Both awards are the highest honor accorded by the universities.
Extremely proud of his Italian heritage, Senator LaValle was privileged to receive the honorary title "Cavaliere al Merito della Repubblica Italiana" from the Italian Government for his work in education and promotion of cultural exchange.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Senator LaValle graduated from Hempstead High School on Long Island. He earned his undergraduate degree at Adelphi College, a degree in education from the State University College at New Paltz, and a J.D. degree from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Senator LaValle has completed extensive graduate study in Government and International Relations at New York University and received an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law Degree from Dowling College
Dowling College
Dowling College is a private co-educational liberal arts college with three campuses spread across Long Island, New York. The college's main campus in Oakdale, NY sits on the site of William K. Vanderbilt's former Idle Hour estate, which is now known as Fortunoff Hall. The Brookhaven Campus in...
. He is a practicing attorney.
Senator LaValle is the father of two grown children, James and Lisa, and has four grandchildren. He resides in Port Jefferson with his wife, Penny.
In addition to his standing committee assignments, Senator LaValle is Chairman of the Senate Majority Conference.
Standing Committee Assignments: Higher Education (Chair), Aging, Education, Environmental Conservation, Finance, Insurance, Judiciary, Rules. Senator LaValle also serves as a member of the New York State Commission on National and Community Service.
The Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium
Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium
The Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium is the main stadium for the State University of New York at Stony Brook in Stony Brook, New York, USA. Construction began in 2000 at a cost of approximately $22 million. With a capacity of 8,132 people, it is the largest outdoor facility in Suffolk County. The stadium...
at Stony Brook University bears his name.