LATHAM, N.Y. — The New York School Bus Contractors Association (NYSBCA) recently presented its Legislator of the Year Award to Sen. Carl Marcellino.

The Legislator of the Year Award is presented to the person or people who demonstrate a high level of commitment and dedication to the association’s mission to provide the safest, most reliable, cost-effective, and unmatched student transportation possible.

Marcellino, chair of the New York State Senate Education Committee, has been a key advocate for the NYSBCA’s mission, according to the association. His support of the NYSBCA and, most importantly, his passion for safe student transportation, is exemplified by his being the prime sponsor of the pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing of school bus drivers bill (S2587E), recently signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“It is a tremendous privilege to present Senator Carl L. Marcellino with our Legislator of the Year Award,” said Bree Allen, president of the association. “We are truly grateful for his dedication and commitment to everything we do here at NYSBCA. His passion for education and students is something we admire. We look forward to our continuous relationship with the senator.”

“I am honored to be named NYSBCA’s Legislator of the Year,” Marcellino said. “When a child travels on a school bus, no parent should have to worry if his or her child is safe. It is our responsibility to do everything we can to put the students’ well-being first. I work very closely with NYSBCA, and we are making every effort to ensure each bus ride starts and ends incident-free.”

The Legislator of the Year Award was formally presented to Marcellino at the association’s 64th annual convention in Port Jefferson, New York, on Oct. 13.