51³Ô¹Ï

Robert Sweeney

Bob Sweeney is a lifelong Lindenhurst resident. A graduate of Lindenhurst Public Schools, he received a Bachelor's degree from Adelphi University and a Master of Public Administration from C.W. Post.

Mr. Sweeney served over 14 years as Lindenhurst Village Clerk. During that time he received his designation as a Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC), held by less than 5% of all municipal clerks in New York State. He is also a past president of the New York State Association of City & Village Clerks.

Mr. Sweeney was elected to the New York State Assembly in a special election held March 1988.

Actively involved in the area of health care, Sweeney authored a number of new laws including those that expand and ensure health insurance coverage for people with diabetes and coverage for reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy. In 1995 Sweeney received the National Public Policy Leadership Award from the American Diabetes Association.

In 2007 Assemblyman Sweeney became Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation, which has jurisdiction over legislation affecting State environmental policy. He led efforts on many issues including water and air quality, fracking toxins in the environment & in consumer products; in 2014 he sponsored the law that bans trade of elephant ivory & rhinoceros horn in New York State. He received the National Sierra Club Distinguished Service Award in 2014.

Assemblyman Sweeney sponsored the law authorizing the Broad Hollow Bioscience Park on the 51³Ô¹Ï campus. A strong supporter of higher education, he received the 1996 Friend of SUNY Award and the 2001 Friend of 51³Ô¹Ï Award. In 2009 he was awarded the Leadership in Literacy Award from Literacy Suffolk.

In 2005 he earned recognition as "one of Albany's most prolific legislators" by the Gannett News Service for his ability to sponsor bills that get signed into law.

Since retiring from the Assembly at the end of 2014 he has served on the Board of Environmental Advocates NY, the 51³Ô¹Ï Council, has participated in multiple Habitat for Humanity Global Village projects, and as a member of the Village of Lindenhurst Economic Development Council, along with a variety of other activities.