Senate Resolution No. 3093

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Jonathan E. Gradess, Esq. upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the John
R. Dunne Champion of Justice Award by the Prisoners'
Legal Services of New York

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, Jonathan E. Gradess has given not only of his time and
energies but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently has been designated for special recognition; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Jonathan E.
Gradess, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
John R. Dunne Champion of Justice Award by the Prisoners' Legal Services
of New York to be celebrated on Wednesday, October 4, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Prisoners' Legal Services of New York (PLS) was founded in
1976 under the sponsorship of the New York State Bar Association in
response to the devastating 1971 Attica riot; and

WHEREAS, The PLS founders sought to address one of the major reasons
for the riot - the lack of prisoners' access to the courts and the
almost complete absence of attorneys to present their complaints in a
legal forum; and

WHEREAS, PLS provides critical civil legal services to over 51,000
inmates confined in 54 New York State prisons; furthermore, PLS provides
prisoners with non-violent ways to resolve disputes thereby reducing
tensions and hostility and helping create a safer environment for
prisoners and correctional staff alike; and

WHEREAS, Jonathan E. Gradess is receiving the auspicious John R.
Dunne Champion of Justice Award in recognition of his significant
contributions in the advancement of civil and human rights and
unwavering commitment to ensuring that the rights of all individuals,
including those incarcerated in New York's state prisons, are protected
and enforced; and

WHEREAS, From 1978 until June 30, 2017, Jonathan E. Gradess served
as the Executive Director of the New York State Defenders Association;
he has worked as a criminal defense lawyer, a private investigator, and
a law school professor; and

WHEREAS, He serves on the Restorative Justice Commission of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and the Board of Directors of Equal
Justice USA; in addition, he was the Executive Director of the New York
State Defenders Justice Fund and managed its Campaign for an Independent
Public Defense Commission; and

WHEREAS, Jonathan E. Gradess' career began as a paralegal,
thereafter graduating cum laude in 1973 from Hofstra Law School's
charter class; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Jonathan E. Gradess has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Jonathan E. Gradess has
displayed throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Jonathan E. Gradess, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the John R. Dunne Champion of Justice Award by the
Prisoners' Legal Services of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jonathan E. Gradess, Esq.