LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Richard J. Bartlett,
renowned public servant, distinguished citizen, and devoted member of
his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to mourn publicly the
death of certain prominent individuals whose valued contributions to
their community, their profession, and their heritage served to enhance
the quality of life in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Richard J. Bartlett of Glens Falls, New York, died on Wednes-
day, May 6, 2015, at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, Born February 15, 1926, in Glens Falls, New York, Richard J.
Bartlett was a lifelong resident of the North Country, spending his
summers at his home at 14 Mile Island in Bolton Landing, New York; and
WHEREAS, Richard J. Bartlett spent his life serving the people of
Glens Falls, Warren County and New York State; an avid sailor at the
Lake George Club, he had a great love of the outdoors and spent many
hours hunting and fishing throughout the Adirondacks; and
WHEREAS, Active within the community he so ably served, Richard J.
Bartlett was President of the United Cerebral Palsy Association, a char-
ter member of the Glens Falls branch of the NAACP, a trustee of Glens
Falls National Bank, a member of the Board of Trustees at the Hyde
Collection and a director and supporter of the Glens Falls Symphony; and
WHEREAS, Richard J. Bartlett co-founded the law firm of Clark, Bart-
lett & Caffry in 1962, which is now known as Bartlett, Pontiff Stewart
and Rhodes, PC (BPSR); and
WHEREAS, Representing Warren County as a member of the New York State
Assembly from 1959 through 1966, Richard J. Bartlett was instrumental in
virtually abolishing capital punishment in New York State; in 1961, he
was appointed by then Governor Nelson Rockefeller as Chair of the New
York State Temporary Commission on Revision of the Penal Law; and
WHEREAS, Richard J. Bartlett then served as justice of the Supreme
Court from 1973 to 1979, at which time he was appointed as the first
chief administrative judge of the Unified Court System for the State of
New York, where he oversaw a reorganization of the state's courts; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man served as Dean and Professor of Law at
Albany Law School from 1979 to 1986, after which he returned to his
beloved Glens Falls where he rejoined his law firm, BPSR; in 1986, he
joined both the New York State Board of Law Examiners and the National
Conference of Bar Examiners; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of countless awards and accolades, Richard J.
Bartlett received the Gold Medal, New York State Bar Association's high-
est award, in 2004, as well as Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the
New York State Bar Association and the New York Law Journal; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he received the Henry Crandall Award, the Good
Scout Award, and was recognized by Warren County Bar Association as the
first recipient of the Charles Evans Hughes Award; and
WHEREAS, Richard J. Bartlett was sincerely loved and greatly respected
by all those with whom he worked; committed to his community, the people
he represented, his State, and his Nation, he served his public with
dignity, dedication and incisive wisdom; and
WHEREAS, Over a long and meritorious life of service on behalf of
others, Richard J. Bartlett was a man of action, of integrity, and of
commitment, whose true compassion was generously given to all who knew
him; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his wife, Claire, his parents, George and
Kathryn Bartlett, and his sister, Mary Jane, Richard J. Bartlett is
survived by his two children, Michael (Anne) and Amy (Robert); two

grandsons, Patrick and Timothy (Rebecca); and his sister, Nancy; as well
as several nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Richard J. Bartlett leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Richard J. Bartlett, renowned public servant, distin-
guished citizen, and devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Richard J. Bartlett.