LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Judge Ray Shoemaker upon the occasion
of his retirement after 24 years of distinguished service to the Town of
Wallkill

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 Wallkill community
has been ably served and uniquely enriched through the selfless dedi-
cation and benevolent concern of Justice Ray Shoemaker; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Judge Ray
Shoemaker upon the occasion of his retirement after 24 years of distin-
guished service to the Town of Wallkill; he officially stepped down on
Wednesday, September 16, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Ray Shoemaker was a police officer in Middletown, New York,
for 23 years before being elected to the esteemed position of Town
Justice in 1984; since then, his courtroom has grown from a small-town
outfit to one that handles nearly 120 criminal cases a week as well as
1,400 traffic tickets a month; and
WHEREAS, Firm in his commitment to the judicial process for 24 years
and the public service profession for 23 years, 77-year-old Ray Shoemak-
er remained dedicated to the betterment and progress of the Wallkill
community; and
WHEREAS, Respected by all for his courteous, gracious demeanor when
they came before him, Ray Shoemaker always conducted an impartial and
objective court; and
WHEREAS, He treated all defendants with compassion and dignity while
at the same time remaining unbiased in his rulings; his advice to his
successor, "Just be fair"; and
WHEREAS, Judge Ray Shoemaker, 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 Judge Ray Shoemaker upon the occasion of his retirement after 24
years of distinguished service to the Town of Wallkill, and to extend
its sincere gratitude for his contribution to the people of New York
State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Ray Shoemaker, 727 State Route 17-M, Middle-
town, New York 10940.