This week we proudly celebrate the more than 600,000 members and 400,000 retirees of the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) for their service to the people of New York State.
A Brief History of Public Service Recognition Week
Public Service Recognition Week was created in 1985 to honor the men and women who serve our nation as federal, state, county and local government employees. They dedicate their careers — and sometimes their lives — to keep others safe and provide for the common good. Their work makes life in our communities better.
Congress officially designated the first week of May as Public Service Recognition Week. This year, it is being celebrated May 6 through May 12.
The Public Servants of NYSLRS
NYSLRS is full of stories about State workers and municipal employees finding value and meaning in the work they do, especially when they help other New Yorkers. The NYSLRS members that work here in the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) are no exception.
For example, there’s Dan Acquilano, who works in the Local Government and School Accountability division of the Comptroller’s Office. He travels across the state teaching municipalities how to manage their financial operations. His efforts have helped many municipalities and school districts manage their way out of financial distress. Or, there’s Derrick Senior, who began his career as a mental health counselor. But, for the past 13 years, he’s helped keep OSC’s technology up and running at the CIO-Service Delivery Department. And, there’s Stacy Marano. She leads a team of attorneys, investigators and forensic auditors to ensure entities receiving state money – vendors, politicians, municipalities and state agencies – don’t misuse public funds. Her work helps law enforcement develop cases and root out fraud.
These are stories you may not hear about, but their work and the efforts of thousands of other public servants help make New York State a better place to live.
View more NYSLRS proud public servants
Whether they are protecting our communities, fighting fires, clearing our roads after snowstorms or simply helping government function better, NYSLRS members deliver the critical resources and services many New Yorkers depend on. Even outside of work, many NYSLRS members and retirees give back to our state by serving their communities as volunteers and supporters of charitable causes.
Comptroller DiNapoli’s Faith in Public Service
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is the administrator of NYSLRS and trustee of the Common Retirement Fund. His public service career began when he was elected as a trustee to the Mineola Board of Education at the age of 18, making him the first 18-year-old in New York State to hold public office. Comptroller DiNapoli is understandably proud about the career path he has chosen, and he often speaks about the contributions that New York’s public employees make, not just as engaged citizens, but as individuals who bring value to the communities where they live.