Honor Judge Siegel's Retirement

Senate Resolution No. 3364 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMENDING The Honorable Norman I. Siegel upon the occasion of his retirement after 17 years of distinguished service as Judge in the New York State Court of Claims and New York State Supreme Court Justice 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 State of New York has been ably served and uniquely enriched through the selfless dedication and benevolent concern of Justice Norman I. Siegel; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The Honorable Norman I. Siegel upon the occasion of his retirement after 17 years of distinguished service as Judge in the New York State Court of Claims and a New York State Supreme Court Justice; and WHEREAS, This auspicious milestone will be celebrated at an open house on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at the Supreme Court, State Office Building in Utica, New York; and WHEREAS, Born on October 26, 1941, Norman I. Siegel was raised in Brooklyn, New York, where he attended public schools; after graduating, he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Colgate University; and WHEREAS, Norman I. Siegel furthered his education by obtaining his Juris Doctor cum laude from Albany Law School where he was elected to the Albany Law Review and Justinian Society in 1964; and WHEREAS, From 1980-1994, Norman I. Siegel served as a part-time law clerk for The Honorable John T. Buckley, an Oneida County Judge; during this time, he held the position of Chairman of the Oneida County Bar Association Grievance Committee, and was a member of the Fifth Judicial District Grievance Committee; and WHEREAS, In 1992, Norman I. Siegel was appointed by the Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division of the Fourth Department to the Character and Fitness Committee for the Fifth District; and WHEREAS, For the next four years, Norman I. Siegel had a successful private law practice and served as Oneida County Attorney; and WHEREAS, Norman I. Siegel began his illustrious career with the New York State Supreme Court as a New York State Court of Claims Judge; Acting Justice of the Supreme Court on June 7, 2000; he officially became a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court in November of

2011; in December of 2017, he will officially retire from both esteemed titles; and WHEREAS, In addition to his work in the New York Court system, Justice Norman I. Siegel was a vital and active member of his Oneida County community; he was an Utica College Trustee and member of the Executive Committee; he also served as the college's attorney when it became an independent institution; and WHEREAS, Justice Norman I. Siegel is proud of his involvement with St. Elizabeth Medical Center, where he held the position of the first non-religious-affiliated President of the Board of Directors for five years; he then served as the first Chairman of the Board of Mohawk Valley Health System; and WHEREAS, A man of many passions and interests, Justice Norman I. Siegel was also a Secretary of Ronald McDonald Charities of Central New York, President of Charles T. Sitrin Home, Chancellor Commander of the Knights of Pythias, Trustee of a "Taft-Hartley" Fund, and a vital member of the Board of Directors of both the Utica Symphony and the Jewish Federation of Utica, as well as a participant of the Utica School Board; and WHEREAS, In his capacity as a Judge in the New York Court of Claims and a New York Supreme Court Justice, Norman I. Siegel served with loyalty, honor and distinction, was governed by a keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems in his official acts; and; and WHEREAS, Justice Norman I. Siegel was known among his colleagues and in his community to be fair and scrupulously conscientious, having the utmost respect for the position he held; and WHEREAS, Through his work addressing legal issues that make a significant impact on the quality of life within a community, Justice Norman I. Siegel contributed countless hours to the betterment of his community; and WHEREAS, A singular asset to all of the citizens he has served in the State of New York, Justice Norman I. Siegel's life and career are a portrait of preeminence in public service, and present a role model for all who aspire to a career in public service; and WHEREAS, Justice Norman I. Siegel, 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 The Honorable Norman I. Siegel upon the occasion of his retirement after 17 years of distinguished service as a Judge in the New York State Court of Claims and a New York State Supreme Court Justice, 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 The Honorable Norman I. Siegel.