Honor Senator Farley’s Service

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.