Honor Jay Wilber’s Retirement

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.