BILL NUMBER: S7366B
SPONSOR: MARTINEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to dedicating a portion of
the state highway system to "Port Authority Detective Thomas Inman"
 
PURPOSE:
Designates a portion of the state highway system to be designated as the
"Port Authority Detective Thomas Inman."
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Provides for the renaming of the bridge over the eastbound
and westbound lanes of the Southern State Parkway on Route 231 in the
town of Babylon, county of Suffolk be dedicated to "Port Authority
Detective Thomas Inman."
Section 2: States that the commissioner of transportation shall provide
for the installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state
highway systems as designated pursuant to section 1 of this act. The
designation will be for ceremonial purposes only, and the official name
of the highway will not be changed as a result of this act.
Section 3: Is the effective clause.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill seeks to honor Detective Thomas Inman by renaming a bridge in
the community which loved him dearly. Tom was a 9/11 first responder and
tragically died of a related cancer in 2020. Since the age of 17, Tom
served his country, first in the Army in Vietnam, and then here at home
for 32 years as a decorated member of the New York and New Jersey Port
Authority Police Department, earning the rank of Detective. Prior to
Tom's retirement as a detective in 2003, he spent 15 months at Ground
Zero and the morgue helping to try to give families closure in the face
of such tragedy.
Thomas Inman is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 50 years
Diane, 9 nieces and nephews, 10 great nieces and nephews, 3 great great
nieces and nephews, as well as many friends and colleagues. Renaming a
bridge in the community Tom called home will memorialize his life of
dedicated and selfless service forever.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.