LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Honorable W. Dennis Duggan upon
the occasion of his retirement after many years of distinguished service
as Albany County Family Court Judge and Acting Justice of the New York
State Supreme Court

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed
individuals whose lives have been committed to the pursuit of excellence
and who bring great pride to the citizens of our great State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Honorable W. Dennis Duggan upon the occasion of his retirement after
many years of distinguished service as Albany County Family Court Judge
and Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court; and
WHEREAS, This momentous occasion will be celebrated at the Friends of
the Albany Children's Center's 21st Annual Reception in support of The
Children's Center at Albany County Family Court, on Tuesday, April 22,
2014, at Taste Restaurant, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Born on the Seneca Indian Reservation in Salamanca, New York,
Judge W. Dennis Duggan is a 1971 graduate of the University of Notre
Dame and a 1976 graduate of Albany Law School; and
WHEREAS, Albany County Family Court Judge W. Dennis Duggan has served
with distinction since his illustrious career began in 1994; he is
designated by the Chief Administrative Judge of New York as an Acting
Justice of the Supreme Court; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his judicial post, Judge W. Dennis Duggan has
devoted countless hours to civic and community activities, and has
served as a Trustee of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court
Judges and is a Past President of the New York State Family Court Judges
Association; he is also a Past Director of the American Judges Associ-
ation and the American Judicature Society; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Judge W. Dennis Duggan is a founding Board
Member of the New York Chapter of the Association of Family and Concil-
iation Courts, as well as a past President; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, and again in 2011, Judge W. Dennis Duggan was named
the Family Court Judge of the Year by the New York State Family Court
Judges Association; he is the only two-time recipient of this award in
the history of the New York State Family Courts; and
WHEREAS, Within the New York State Judiciary, Judge W. Dennis Duggan
has served on the Judicial Institute Committee, the Family Court Advi-
sory and Rules Committee and the Family Law Curriculum Development
Committee; and
WHEREAS, A frequent lecturer at International, National and State
judicial and legal programs, Judge W. Dennis Duggan has instructed at
the National Judicial College and teaches an online course in Family Law
at the University of Nevada's Master's degree Program for Judicial
Management; and
WHEREAS, Widely published, Judge W. Dennis Duggan writes a monthly
column for the BAR ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER on topical issues on the
History of the Law; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his loving wife of 33 years,
Lennie, their two children, Brian (Rachel) and Katie, and one grandson,
Callan, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice
in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that demon-

strated by Judge W. Dennis Duggan over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedi-
cation to others; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize and honor Judge W. Dennis Duggan upon the occasion of his
retirement, and to wish him continued success in all his future endeav-
ors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable W. Dennis Duggan.