Serphin R. Maltese ’51 was elected to the NY State Senate in November of 1988 to represent a portion of Queens County. He was reelected for ten terms on the Republican, Conservative and Independence Party lines and served until December 31, 2008. After his military service, he went to Manhattan College on a Regents Scholarship and the G.I. Bill, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was awarded a War Service Scholarship and received his LL.B. and J.D. degrees from Fordham University Law School. Senator Maltese was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1963 and admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Serf is an Army Infantry Veteran of the Korean War, previously serving in the Marine Reserves. He is a life member of the American Legion, Catholic War Veterans, Korean War Veteran’s Association and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. His active role in veterans’ affairs prompted his appointment during his first term as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans. He is currently a member of the American Legion’s National Legislative Council. Prior to his election, Senator Maltese served as Queens Assistant District Attorney and Deputy Chief of the Homicide Bureau. His law enforcement experience and background led to his appointment as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction in his third term.He has served for almost 20 years as a Board Member of the Stuyvesant High School Alumni Association, Inc. and he has served as pro bono Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Christ the King Regional High School since 1976.
