LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Honorable Joseph G. Owen, JSC upon
the occasion of his retirement after 35 years of distinguished service
to the people of Orange County and the State of New York

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the great
State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good works
of those patriotic and civic-minded community members who dedicate their
lives and careers to the service of others; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
The Honorable Joseph G. Owen, JSC upon the occasion of his retirement
after 35 years of distinguished service to the people of Orange County
and the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Judge Owen's extraordinary career in public service will be
recognized at a retirement dinner to be held at The Fountains, Town of
Wallkill Golf Club, on Thursday, November 19, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Born on November 7, 1933, in Chester, New York, Joseph Owen
earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from C.U.N.Y. - City College in 1955;
he then went on to pursue his law degree, graduating from Fordham
University School of Law in 1959; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, Joseph Owen became the Justice for the Wallkill Town
Justice Court; he served in this position until 1984, when he was
elected to serve as Surrogate to Orange County's Surrogate's Court; and
WHEREAS, Displaying extraordinary intelligence and diligent leader-
ship, in 1994, Judge Owen was elected to serve as a Justice for the
Ninth Judicial District for the Supreme Court, the position from which
he will retire; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Judge Owen has worked in the law firms of Owen
and Grogan, Joseph G. Owen, Schleider and Owen, and Terhune, Gibbons and
Muhlvehill; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to the enhancement of his profession, Judge Owen
belongs to the American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association,
Orange County Bar Association, Surrogates' Association of New York
State, New York State Association of Magistrates, Association of
Justices of the Supreme Court of New York State, and Orange County
Magistrates Association; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his countless achievements, Judge Owen has
been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the Liber-
ty Bell Award as well as the Distinguished Service Award; and
WHEREAS, Despite his busy professional life, Judge Owen has been
called upon to contribute his time and talents to countless civic and
charitable endeavors and has always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Judge Owen is an active member of the Kiwanis Club, Knights
of Columbus, Circleville Fire Company, Cooperative Extension 4H, Kiwan-
is, American Legion and the Club of Middletown; and
WHEREAS, Judge Owen is not only a dedicated public servant but he is a
true patriot who has proudly served this great Nation; from 1955 until
1970, he was a member of the United States Army and National Guard;
during his tenure, he climbed through the ranks and became a Major; he
also served as member of the Infantry for the United States Army in
1957; and
WHEREAS, A singular asset to all of the citizens he has served in the
State of New York, Judge Owen's life and career are a portrait of preem-
inence in public service and serve as a role model for all who aspire to
a career in public service; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-

tion, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend those individ-
uals for the edification and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Honorable Joseph G. Owen, JSC upon the occasion of his
retirement after 35 years of distinguished service to the people of
Orange County and the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Joseph G. Owen, JSC.