State Sen. Tom Morahan dies

New York - New York State Sen. Thomas Patrick Morahan, who represented the 38th Senatorial District which included Tuxedo and Warwick, died on Monday, July 12, at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. The senator was 78. Morahan had been fighting Leukemia for over six months. Morahan represented the residents of Rockland County, as well as those in parts of Orange County including Tuxedo and Warwick, for more than 11 years. Several years ago, in honor of his strong support, the Town of Warwick beach in the Village of Greenwood Lake was dedicated as the Thomas Morahan Waterfront Park. Morahan served as the chairman of the Seante’s Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee. In this role he was responsible for the passage of significant legislation including “Jonathan’s Law” and “Timothy’s Law,” which ensured mental health parity. A graduate of Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, Morahan began his government service as a member of the Clarkstown Zoning Board of Appeals. In 1977 he was elected as a Rockland County legislator. Three years later his constituents elected him to the state Assembly. Morahan returned to the Rockland County Legislature in 1984 and in 1996, he was elected unanimously to serve as its chairman. “The people of Rockland and Orange counties have lost a friend and a powerful voice in Albany,” said Thomas Basile, executive director of the New York State Republican Party. “All of us who were fortunate to have the benefit of Senator Morahan’s friendship learned a great deal from his example. He was the consummate citizen and will be greatly missed.”

REACTION
• Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard called him an elder statesman who was as effective as he was non-flashy.
• Greenwood Lake Mayor Barbara Moore called him a “kind spirit” who “never really gave you the impression he was a politician.”
• Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton said Morahan’s legacy is allowing the town to preserve farms for the future.