LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Hiscock Legal Aid Society upon the
occasion of its 60th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations within the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Hiscock Legal Aid Society upon the occasion of its 60th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, On September 23, 1949, the Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society
was founded to provide free legal assistance to indigent residents of
Onondaga County; it currently employs a staff of 36, including 21 attor-
neys, and handles approximately 3,800 cases each year; and
WHEREAS, The initial funds for the Hiscock Legal Aid Society were
provided by the Syracuse Foundation, Inc. from a bequest of The Honor-
able Frank H. Hiscock, the Chief Judge of the New York State Court of
Appeals from 1916 to 1926; and
WHEREAS, Initially, the Hiscock Legal Aid Society emphasized providing
civil legal assistance to those in need and family, housing and economic
matters continue to represent the most numerous cases in its Civil
Program; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, the Hiscock Legal Aid Society contracted with the
Onondaga County Bar Association to administer the first Assigned Counsel
Program and established an in-office Appeals Program to handle appeals
from criminal convictions; and
WHEREAS, The Hiscock Legal Aid Society provided complete criminal
defense services to indigent persons accused in non-felony cases in
Syracuse City Court from 1974 until 2004; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, the Hiscock Legal Aid Society began to provide
complete legal representation to adults in Family Court cases through a
contract with Onondaga County, as well as parole revocation and extradi-
tion defense; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Hiscock Legal Aid Society is in
direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals who have
supported the development of this outstanding organization over the
years; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the superbly-skilled staff at the
Hiscock Legal Aid Society, whose involvement is and has always been
characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and
an uncompromising standard of excellence in all of their efforts on
behalf of the organization and the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Hiscock Legal Aid Society upon the occasion of its 60th Anni-
versary, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the sparkling
success which has so characterized its past; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Hiscock Legal Aid Society.