LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Irving Feiner, posthumously, upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition as recipient of the
Myron Isaacs Community Service Award by the New York Civil Liberties
Union

WHEREAS, Individuals who in their lives gave of their time and energies
and served the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond
remuneration and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose lives, personal endeavors and community
service were an example and inspiration to their colleagues, friends,
family, and community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Irving Feiner, posthumously, upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition as recipient of the Myron Isaacs Community Service
Award by the New York Civil Liberties Union; this auspicious occasion
will be celebrated on Thursday, May 21, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Irving Feiner died on January 23, 2009, in Valhalla, New
York, at the age of 84; born in Brooklyn on November 23, 1924, he grew
up in Harlem and the Bronx during the Depression and embraced social
justice and the quest for equality at an early age; and
WHEREAS, Dropping out of high school to serve in the United States
Army during World War II, Irving Feiner saw combat in Europe in the
field artillery; after the war, he enrolled at Syracuse University under
the G.I. Bill with the goal of attending law school; and
WHEREAS, Admitted to law school while still an undergraduate at Syra-
cuse, Irving Feiner was actively involved in raising public awareness of
the pending execution of six African-American men in New Jersey known
as, "The Trenton Six"; and
WHEREAS, In 1949, Irving Feiner was arrested for allegedly creating a
public disturbance for speaking from a soapbox on a Syracuse street
corner at a rally on behalf of the Trenton Six; his conviction on this
charge was affirmed by the New York Court of Appeals and his case was
appealed to the United States Supreme Court on the grounds that his
speech was protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution; and
WHEREAS, Despite a divided Supreme Court upholding Irving Feiner's
conviction, most constitutional law scholars now agree that his First
Amendment claim should have prevailed on freedom of speech grounds; and
WHEREAS, After his arrest, Irving Feiner was expelled from Syracuse
University and his admission to several law schools was revoked; he went
on to a successful career in the printing, movie exhibition and tropi-
cal-fish businesses; and
WHEREAS, Irving Feiner returned to Syracuse University and received
his undergraduate degree in 1984; in 2007, the university invited him
back to its campus to lecture on free speech; and
WHEREAS, A committed member of the American Civil Liberties Union and
the New York Civil Liberties Union for decades, Irving Feiner is
survived by his wife of 38 years, the former Trudi Kramer, his daugh-
ters, Susan and Emily, and five grandchildren; another daughter, Rachel,
predeceased him; and
WHEREAS,Throughout his life, a period of constructive involvement,
Irving Feiner earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues, fami-
ly, friends, and community; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed was the impressive dedication shown by an indi-
vidual for his principles which Irving Feiner displayed throughout his
life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Irving Feiner, posthumously, upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition as recipient of the Myron Isaacs Community
Service Award by the New York Civil Liberties Union; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Irving Feiner.