Senate Resolution No. 744 BY: Senator GRIFFO HONORING Judge Donald F. Cerio Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement after over 40 years of distinguished service to Madison County WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge outstanding individuals within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Judge Donald F. Cerio Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement after over 40 years of distinguished service to Madison County on Friday, March 31, 2023; and WHEREAS, Donald F. Cerio Jr. graduated from Canastota Central School District in 1975, and received his undergraduate degree from SUNY Brockport, considering a career in law enforcement before enrolling in law school; and WHEREAS, He obtained his law degree from SUNY Buffalo and began his career with the Madison County District Attorney's Office in 1983; and WHEREAS, In 1985, Donald F. Cerio Jr. was promoted to Chief Assistant District Attorney (ADA); he served as the Chief ADA until 1989, when he was elected District Attorney; and WHEREAS, As District Attorney, Donald F. Cerio Jr. oversaw numerous cases including the Delbert Ward trial, which became a national news story; he also oversaw an early case utilizing DNA as a form of evidence in Madison County, before its use was widely accepted in the courtroom; and WHEREAS, Following the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, Donald F. Cerio Jr. became the first district attorney to try an individual under the new terrorism laws; and WHEREAS, In 2008, Donald F. Cerio Jr. was appointed to the New York Court of Claims by then-Governor David Paterson; he was reappointed to the role by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2017; up until his retirement date, The Honorable Donald F. Cerio Jr. continued serving as a Court of Claims Judge and was also Acting Justice of the Madison County Supreme Court; and WHEREAS, Judge Donald F. Cerio Jr. worked with law enforcement to form the Victims Advocate Center in Madison County and served as an adjunct professor at Syracuse University Law School; and WHEREAS, During his illustrious career, including over 40 years in the court system, Judge Donald F. Cerio Jr. has made a lasting impact on countless people throughout the region, truly earning the admiration, affection, and esteem of his colleagues and the community-at-large; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those dedicated individuals who have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Judge Donald F. Cerio Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement, and to wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Judge Donald F. Cerio Jr.