LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of civil rights advocate
Irving Feiner, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Irving Feiner of Nyack, New York died on Friday, January 23,
2009, at the age of 84; and
WHEREAS, Irving Feiner distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, Irving Feiner's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Irving Feiner, a tireless advocate of free speech, civil
rights and open politics, was a founding member of the Working Families
Party in Rockland, and he ran for local office several times, including
state Assembly, county executive, county Legislature and for Nyack
mayor; and
WHEREAS, Irving Feiner's pursuit of office, though never successful,
was rather symbolic, sending messages to his opponents to work harder
and to the public to get more involved; and
WHEREAS, Irving Feiner was born in New York City as the youngest of
four children of his immigrant parents; as he grew up in Harlem and the
Bronx during the Great Depression, he later dropped out of high school
to join the Army and was sent to Europe during World War II; his unit
was among the first to see a concentration camp; and
WHEREAS, After the war, Irving Feiner attended Syracuse University on
the GI Bill and became active, particularly focusing on the emerging
civil rights movement; in 1949, he was arrested and charged with "incit-
ing a breach of the peace" while making a speech advocating black civil
rights; as a result of his conviction, the university expelled him, and
his acceptance to law school was withdrawn; and
WHEREAS, Irving Feiner took his appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court,
arguing that his First Amendment right to free speech had been violated;
the court ruled in 1951 that his arrest did not hamper his right to free
speech; and
WHEREAS, Irving Feiner married Trudi Kramer in 1950, and moved to
Nyack in the 1960s in order to give the couple's two daughters, Susan
and Emily, an integrated school environment, but found that at that
time, Nyack was also segregated and immediately took action to try to
integrate the Nyack schools; and
WHEREAS, Always outspoken, Irving Feiner was proud to bring attention
to issues affecting people usually ignored; he had a basic belief that
people had a responsibility to create change and that they were capable
of doing it; he was a true asset to society; and
WHEREAS, Irving Feiner is survived by his wife, Trudi, and his two
daughters, Susan and Emily and five grandchildren; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of civil rights advocate Irving Feiner, distinguished
citizen and devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Irving Feiner.