Charles J. Fuschillo Jr.

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Charles J. Fuschillo Jr.

| image =

| state_senate = New York State

| district = 8th

| term_start = March 25, 1998

| term_end = December 31, 2013

| predecessor = Norman J. Levy

| successor = Michael Venditto

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|07|01}}

| birth_place = Westbury, New York, U.S.

| party = Republican

| residence = Merrick, New York

}}

Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. (born July 1, 1960{{Cite web |url=http://ny.ala.capwiz.com/bio/id/3656 |title=New York Library Association: Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. (R-NY 8th District) biography |access-date=2009-04-13 |archive-date=2011-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210222256/http://ny.ala.capwiz.com/bio/id/3656 |url-status=live }}) is a former Republican member of the New York State Senate from Long Island. From 1998 to 2013, he represented the 8th State Senate district, which spans several South Shore communities in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The district currently includes the communities of Wantagh, Merrick, Bellmore, Massapequa Park, Freeport, Roosevelt, Seaford, Amityville, and Copiague, as well as parts of Massapequa, Farmingdale, Baldwin, Lindenhurst, West Babylon, Wheatley Heights, and Wyandanch. Senator Fuschillo resigned from the New York State Senate on December 31, 2013 to serve as the President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.{{Cite web |url=http://www.alzfdn.org/MediaCenter/2014/1-2-2014.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108005733/http://www.alzfdn.org/MediaCenter/2014/1-2-2014.html |archive-date=2014-01-08 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2013/12/republican-senator-chuck-fuschillo-resigns-010226|title=Republican senator Chuck Fuschillo resigns|website=Politico|date=31 December 2013 |access-date=2019-08-03|archive-date=2019-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803155251/https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2013/12/republican-senator-chuck-fuschillo-resigns-010226|url-status=live}}

Biography

Fuschillo was born in Westbury, New York, and graduated from Carle Place High School. He then attended Nassau Community College. In 1982, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Adelphi University, majoring in Finance.

Prior to being elected to the New York State Senate, Fuschillo served as the Chief Operating Officer of a private, not-for-profit family service agency where he managed over four hundred employees and forty human service programs throughout Long Island and the five boroughs of New York City.

Fuschillo currently serves as the President & CEO of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA).

Political activities

Fuschillo has been a campaigner against drunk driving in New York State. He sponsored "Leandra's Law," which makes it a felony to drive drunk with a child in the car and requires all convicted drunk drivers to use ignition interlocks to prevent them from drinking and driving again.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/07/12/2010-07-12_leandra_laws_in_overdrive_state_tallies_248_dwis_with_kids_in_car.html |title=New York State tallies 248 DWIs under Leandra's Law; Arrests reported in 48 of 62 counties |website=New York Daily News |access-date=2011-04-08 |archive-date=2010-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715055702/http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/07/12/2010-07-12_leandra_laws_in_overdrive_state_tallies_248_dwis_with_kids_in_car.html |url-status=live }} He sponsored laws which lowered New York State's legal blood alcohol content (BAC) level from .10 to .08;{{cite web|url=http://www.antonnews.com/farmingdaleobserver/2003/01/10/news/ |title=Pataki Signs Senator Fuschillo's .08 Legislation into Law |access-date=2011-04-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320062211/http://www.antonnews.com/farmingdaleobserver/2003/01/10/news/ |archive-date=2012-03-20 }} enacted tougher penalties for repeat offenders and those who drive with an elevated BAC; and expanded the use of ignition interlock devices to keep convicted DWI offenders from drinking and driving again.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/08/15/2010-08-15_new_state_law_requires_dwi_convicts_to_pass_breathalyzer_test_before_driving_car.html |title=New state law requires DWI convicts to pass breathalyzer test before driving car |website=New York Daily News |access-date=2011-04-08 |archive-date=2010-08-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818054036/http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/08/15/2010-08-15_new_state_law_requires_dwi_convicts_to_pass_breathalyzer_test_before_driving_car.html |url-status=live }}

Fuschillo helped create the Broad Hollow Bioscience Park at Farmingdale State College, which serves as a home to established and startup biotechnology companies and provides high-tech jobs for Long Islanders.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} In April 2011, he authored a law to expand Broad Hollow Bioscience Park to create new jobs and promote economic development.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/new-law-hopes-to-settle-osi-on-li-1.2817021|title=New law hopes to settle OSI on LI|work=Newsday |access-date=2011-04-15|archive-date=2011-04-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417133145/http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/new-law-hopes-to-settle-osi-on-li-1.2817021|url-status=live}}

Fuschillo sponsored complete streets legislation which would require all state, county, and local transportation agencies in New York State to consider complete streets design principles on all projects which receive both federal and state funding.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/mom-of-highway-victim-lauds-safety-bill-1.2976270|title=LI mom of girl killed on road lauds measure|work=Newsday |access-date=2011-10-18|archive-date=2011-12-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207004815/http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/mom-of-highway-victim-lauds-safety-bill-1.2976270|url-status=live}} Complete streets design principles are roadway design features that accommodate and facilitate safe travel by pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists of all ages and abilities. The legislation was approved by the New York State Legislature in June 2011{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/lawmakers-approve-road-safety-bills-1.2957487|title=Lawmakers approve road safety bills|newspaper=Newsday|access-date=2011-10-18|archive-date=2016-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309061034/http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/lawmakers-approve-road-safety-bills-1.2957487|url-status=live}} and signed into law two months later.{{cite web|url=http://nylcv.org/ecopoliticsdaily/20110817_governor_announces_decision_on_complete_streets_bill |title=Complete Streets Bill Signed into Law | New York League of Conservation Voters |access-date=2011-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108225007/http://www.nylcv.org/ecopoliticsdaily/20110817_governor_announces_decision_on_complete_streets_bill |archive-date=2011-11-08 }} The New York League of Conservation Voters named him a 2011 Eco-Star for his efforts in getting the law passed.{{cite web |url=http://www.nylcv.org/newsroom/releases/8002 |title=Eight Lawmakers Earn Eco-Stars for 2011 Environmental Achievements | New York League of Conservation Voters |access-date=2011-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022123913/http://nylcv.org/newsroom/releases/8002 |archive-date=2011-10-22 }}

Fuschillo also sponsored a statewide ban on over-the-counter products containing the dangerous dietary supplement ephedra. Fuschillo has authored child safety laws, and helped secure new educational technology for local school districts. Additionally, he sponsored a statewide ban on dangerous drop-side cribs, which have been linked to numerous child deaths and injuries.{{Cite web|url=http://bellmore.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/fuschillos-law-banning-drop-side-cribs-takes-effect|title=Fuschillo's Law Banning Drop-Side Cribs Takes Effect|date=28 October 2010|access-date=8 January 2014|archive-date=8 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108012628/http://bellmore.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/fuschillos-law-banning-drop-side-cribs-takes-effect|url-status=live}}

Fuschillo authored a law, signed on November 1, 2011, to prevent insurance companies from denying treatments and therapies for autism.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/new-law-expands-autism-insurance-coverage-1.3289756|title=New law expands autism insurance coverage|work=Newsday |access-date=2011-11-02|archive-date=2014-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108013604/http://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/new-law-expands-autism-insurance-coverage-1.3289756|url-status=live}} Autism Speaks, a national autism advocacy organization, named Fuschillo a "legislative champion" in 2012 for authoring the law.{{Cite web|url = http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/senator-fuschillo-named-legislative-champion-autism-speaks|title = Senator Fuschillo Named "Legislative Champion" by Autism Speaks|date = 3 May 2012|access-date = 8 January 2014|archive-date = 8 January 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140108012145/http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/senator-fuschillo-named-legislative-champion-autism-speaks|url-status = live}}

Personal background

Fuschillo and his wife, Ellen, reside in Merrick with their 3 children, Daniel, Chad, and Catie.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/charles-j-fuschillo-jr/bio |title=New York State Senate: Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr.: Biography |access-date=2009-05-07 |archive-date=2009-05-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519055023/http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/charles-j-fuschillo-jr/bio |url-status=live }}

Community involvement

Fuschillo is involved with local organizations, including Kiwanis, the Chamber of Commerce, the Community Wellness Council, Italian Americans in Government, and Order Sons of Italy in America. He served as a coach for the Police Athletic League.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}