Albany County Republican & Conservative Conference Agenda 

ALBANY, NY – The Albany County Legislature’s Law Committee tonight advanced a bill to honor fallen military service members, police officers, firefighters and other first responders in the Capital District. The resolution (attached), introduced by Albany County Legislators Patty Schwarz Lockart (R-C, Colonie), Chris Smith (C-R, East Berne) and Andrew Joyce (D, Albany) in January, would require all Albany County facilities to fly flags at half-staff in recognition of those who make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

 

“The men and women in uniform bravely serving abroad or locally deserve every piece of recognition we can give them. Having worked with the Colonie Police Department for more than three decades, I have witnessed on many occasions the way these courageous community protectors run towards the danger when everyone else is running away. I am thankful this legislation has passed through the committee process, and I urge all of my colleagues to support its passage before the full Legislature in March,” said Legislator Lockart.

 

“Serving the United States Army provided me with lifelong lessons on the meaning of service and sacrifice. Those individuals who put on a uniform every day to protect our country and our communities deserve our eternal thanks. Though we can never truly repay the brave individuals who make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, I am grateful we were able to take this small step to offer our recognition for their courage. Thank you to every single one of my colleagues for advancing this measure to the floor for a full vote of the Legislature,” said Legislator Smith.

 

Albany County’s previous flag policy, adopted in 2007, only specifically mentioned members of the Armed Forces killed in the war on terror rather than all conflicts – and it excluded police officers, firefighters and EMS professionals who put their lives on the line every day to protect local residents. This bill amends that policy to cover all local military service members and first responders who have fallen in the line of duty.

 

The resolution is expected to be on the County Legislature’s March 10, 2025 agenda.