Senate Resolution No. 4490

BY: Senator AKSHAR

COMMENDING Jay Wilber upon the occasion of his
retirement after 29 years of dedicated service to
the Broome County Public Defender's Office

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those singular individuals who devote their purposeful
lives and careers to preserving the rights and protecting the welfare of
the citizens of their community and the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in the Broome County
community has been ably served and uniquely enriched through the
selfless dedication and benevolent concern of Public Defender Jay
Wilber; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Jay Wilber upon the occasion of his retirement after 29 years of
dedicated service to the Broome County Public Defender's Office; and

WHEREAS, After earning his law degree from Nova University Center
for the Study of Law, Jay Wilber worked in private practice for many
years; and

WHEREAS, Jay Wilber began his long and distinguished career with
Broome County as an Assistant Public Defender in 1989; he was appointed
Acting Public Defender in 2001, and one year later, he was officially
named Public Defender, the position from which he officially retired on
March 30, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Jay Wilber worked with numerous
administrations to ensure indigent citizens in Broome County were
provided with their constitutional right to counsel and vigorous
representation; he was dedicated to serving as an advocate for his
clients in and out of the courts; and

WHEREAS, Jay Wilber also oversaw and implemented technological
advances within the Public Defender's Office increasing productivity and
efficiency, and was committed to fighting New York State's opioid
crisis; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Jay Wilber was a longtime member of the
Binghamton Adult Treatment Court team; and

WHEREAS, Throughout a life and career of purposeful endeavor, Jay
Wilber has remained true to his commitment, serving family, faith and
community, as well as the law; his contributions and accomplishments
have brought great benefit and positive influence to bear upon the
course of jurisprudence and the quality of life for others; and

WHEREAS, Public Defender Jay Wilber, in every capacity in which he
served, has left his permanent mark on the criminal justice community
and will forever be remembered as a determined, innovative and genuinely
concerned expert in his field; now, therefore, be it


RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Jay Wilber upon the occasion of his retirement after 29 years of
dedicated service to the Broome County Public Defender's Office, and to
wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jay Wilber.