"The next bill before me is Introductory Number 602, sponsored at the request of the Administration by Council Members Addabbo, Baez, Comrie, Fidler, Gerson, Gonzalez, James, Jennings, Martinez, McMahon, Monserrate, Palma, Recchia, Sanders, Stewart, Weprin, Seabrook, Koppell and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum.  This bill extends health insurance coverage to the wife of a uniformed Department of Sanitation employee who recently died in the line of duty.

"Tragically, on February 7, 2005, 37 year-old Sanitation Worker Rodney Page was involved in a vehicular accident while operating a sanitation collection vehicle.  Rodney, a four-and-a-half year veteran of the Department, is survived by his wife, Ingrid.

"Under current law, the Mayor has the discretion to extend health insurance coverage to the spouses, domestic partners and eligible dependent children of uniformed Sanitation and Correction workers who died in the line of duty between November 1, 1996 and January 27, 2004. Intro 602 extends the eligibility date to February 8, 2005, thereby allowing the Mayor to exercise discretion in granting such benefits to Mr. Page's surviving family.

"I would like to thank the City Council and Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty for their leadership on this issue. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of the uniformed employees of the Department of Sanitation, who work tirelessly, day in and day out, in an effort to keep the streets of our great City clean."