Senate Resolution No. 1236

BY: Senator AMEDORE

HONORING Senator Hugh T. Farley upon the occasion
of his designation for special recognition after 40
years of devoted service to the people of the State
of New York

WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to better
the quality of life in our community and have had a measurable positive
impact on the lives of its residents; and

WHEREAS, Our local government, our State and our Nation have endured
and been made strong by generations of Americans who felt a sense of
responsibility to their community, to one another and to their families;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Senator Hugh
T. Farley upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 40 years of devoted service to the people of the State of New
York, to be feted at a celebration on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at Key
Hall, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady, New York; and

WHEREAS, Born in New York City, Hugh T. Farley grew up in Indian
Lake in Hamilton County; after graduating from high school in Watertown,
New York, he attended Mohawk Valley Community College before receiving a
bachelor of science degree with honors from the University at Albany; he
went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree from the American University
School of Law in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Hugh T. Farley proudly served his country overseas as a
member of the United States Army; upon the completion of his military
service, he taught high school in both Syracuse and Maryland; and

WHEREAS, In 1965, Hugh T. Farley was appointed to the faculty of the
School of Business of the University at Albany where he advanced to Full
Professor and Law Area Coordinator; in 1983, he was the recipient of the
University Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his service to
not only the University but also to public higher education;
furthermore, in 2000, he was named Professor Emeritus of Business Law;
and

WHEREAS, Hugh T. Farley began his illustrious political career in
1970 serving the Town of Niskayuna as first a Councilmember and later as
the Town Council Majority Leader; in 1976, he ran for State office and
defeated the incumbent in the race for New York State Senate; since
then, he has been reelected in 19 elections and two primaries; and

WHEREAS, Serving with honor and integrity for four decades, Senator
Hugh T. Farley had many accomplishments that he will be remembered for
including proudly being known as the "Father of Hospice," having passed
the first hospice law in the Nation; and

WHEREAS, Senator Hugh T. Farley, who served as Chairman of the first
Standing Committee on Aging, developed laws such as the first Respite

legislation, the Community Services for the Elderly program, and the
EPIC pharmaceutical assistance program; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he sponsored a wide variety of laws, including
the 1986 Environmental Quality Bond Act, taking measures to protect
water resources and strengthen the regulation of hazardous substances;
ATM safety measures; mortgage escrow account protections; strengthened
regulation of mortgage lenders and financial institutions; and laws
which target money laundering and other financial crimes; and

WHEREAS, A leading advocate for libraries, Senator Hugh T. Farley
worked diligently to secure funding and sponsored almost every piece of
library legislation for the past 40 years; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to the residents of the 49th Senate District,
Senator Hugh T. Farley passed numerous local laws and initiatives, such
as creating the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority, protecting
the Schenectady Great Flats Aquifer, and enabling the construction of a
new Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES facility; and

WHEREAS, This prominent public servant also worked with several
local officials and residents to attract businesses and develop
industrial parks, and to preserve cultural and historic treasures,
including Proctors Theatre, the Glove Theatre, the Ulysses S. Grant
Cottage and the Gloversville Public Library; and

WHEREAS, Moreover, Senator Hugh T. Farley collaborated with other
state officials throughout the United States to protect and advance
state interests and encourage interstate cooperation; his hard work and
determination was recognized when he was elected by his peers to serve a
term as National Chairman of the Council of State Governments; and

WHEREAS, Service to individual citizens has always been of much
importance to Senator Hugh T. Farley; over the years, he assisted
thousands of individuals, families and businesses that all, in a time of
need, reached out to him for help; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout has been the love of his life, his wife
of 58 years, Sharon; together, they are the proud parents of three
children, Susan Farley Harper (Gil), Robert Farley (Marilyn), and
Margaret "Peggy" Azenheimer (David); and the adoring grandparents of
seven grandchildren, Rebecca Harper Thompson (Corey), Jacob Harper
(Rose), Sally Ann Harper, Kathryn Farley, Elizabeth Farley, Andrew
Azenheimer, and Ryan Azenheimer; and one great-granddaughter, Charlotte
Rose Thompson; and

WHEREAS, In appreciation of his admirable and valuable public
service, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to extend its highest
commendation to Senator Hugh T. Farley, and to salute him for his
allegiance, hard work and momentous accomplishments; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Senator Hugh T. Farley upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition after 40 years of devoted service to the people of
the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Senator Hugh T. Farley.