LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the life and accomplishments of
Jeffrey P. Kraham, former Broome County Executive, distinguished citizen
and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Jeffrey P. Kraham of Hillcrest, New York, died on Friday,
March 4, 2016, at the age of 66; and
WHEREAS, Born in Hillcrest on April 25, 1949, to the late Paul and
Cora (James), Jeffrey P. Kraham grew up working the lunch counter at the
Hillcrest Soda Spa, his father's diner and ice cream shop, where he
absorbed the news and conversation of the day; and
WHEREAS, In 1960, at the young age of 11, Jeffrey P. Kraham made his
first foray into politics at the Citizens for Kennedy headquarters in
downtown Binghamton after hearing John F. Kennedy's call for volunteers
of all ages, "from eight to 80," to help with his presidential campaign;
and
WHEREAS, After graduating Chenango Valley High School in 1967, Jeffrey
P. Kraham was elected to serve his community as a member of the Broome
County Legislature, eventually becoming the youngest Legislative Chair-
man in New York State history; during this time, he also earned his
Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from Binghamton University; and
WHEREAS, Jeffrey P. Kraham proudly served his country in the United
States Army Reserves Medical Supply Division from 1969 through 1974; he
organized the Nation's first blood pressure screening clinic, making
that now-ubiquitous, lifesaving health test available to the public for
the first time in a setting outside a doctor's office; and
WHEREAS, Jeffrey P. Kraham distinguished himself in his profession and
by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, In 1980, Jeffrey P. Kraham started his first business selling
bookcases and butcher block furniture; in 1983, Jeff and his wife,
Wallis, turned a $3,000 investment into a very successful retail enter-
prise with furniture stores throughout Upstate New York and Pennsylva-
nia; and
WHEREAS, Jeffrey P. Kraham 's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Jeffrey P. Kraham was elected Broome County Executive in
1996, ushering in an era of transformative leadership; his life as an
elected official was marked by action, consensus building and progress
and in governing, as in business, he never felt constrained by the
status quo; and
WHEREAS, As County Executive, Jeffrey P. Kraham's flagship project was
the construction of a state-of-the-art public library in downtown Bing-
hamton; the library bears his name and is designed to educate and ener-
gize the community and ensure generations of residents have free access
to the knowledge needed to prosper in life; and
WHEREAS, Jeffrey P. Kraham worked alongside Mayor Richard A. Bucci to
land the substantial Binghamton University Downtown Center project,
which became a catalyst for the last decade of revitalization in down-
town Binghamton and the anchor institution for civic engagement in the
Southern Tier; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his eight years in office, Jeffrey P. Kraham
spearheaded the modernization of Broome County's airport, courthouse and

criminal justice building, and oversaw construction of new senior
centers in Endicott, Harpursville and Whitney Point; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, Jeffrey P. Kraham was appointed State and Counties
Liaison by Governor George Pataki; a lifelong Hillcrest resident, he
continued to serve his community as an elected Councilman for the Town
of Fenton from 2011 until his death; and
WHEREAS, In recent years, Jeffrey P. Kraham's love of travel inspired
him to start a travel agency; he made close connections with his
clients, many of whom became personal friends as he helped plan their
dream vacations; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his brother, Michael, Jeffrey P. Kraham is
survived by his wife of 32 years, Wallis (Transue); his daughter, Meris-
sa; his son, Jared, and his sister, Karen; as well as several nieces and
nephews and brothers- and sisters-in law; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Jeffrey P. Kraham 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; a wealth
of knowledge and a wonderful resource for the Broome County community,
his joyful presence will be greatly missed; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life and accomplishments of Jeffrey P. Kraham, former
Broome County Executive, distinguished 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 Jeffrey P. Kraham.