LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Judge Robert Russell for his many years
of distinguished and dedicated service to the citizens of Western New
York

WHEREAS, With February being Black History Month, it is a time to
reflect on the struggles and victories of African-Americans throughout
our country's history and to recognize their numerous valuable contrib-
utions to society; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Judge Robert Russell for his many years of distinguished and dedicated
service to the citizens of Western New York; and
WHEREAS, Judge Robert Russell has served as a Judge for nearly 14
years and a lawyer for 26 years; he earned his Bachelor of Science
degree from Morris Brown College in 1974 and his JD from Howard Univer-
sity Law School in 1979; and
WHEREAS, Admitted to the bar in Ohio in 1979, Robert Russell served
from August 1979 through May 1985 as Assistant Attorney General for the
state of Ohio; he was later admitted to the bar in New York in 1985; and
WHEREAS, From June 1985 through August 1987, Robert Russell served as
Assistant District Attorney at the Erie County District Attorney's
Office; after that, he became Special Assistant Attorney General for the
New York State Deputy Attorney General's Office serving there until
December 1991; and
WHEREAS, Since January 1992, Robert Russell has been the Associate
Judge of Buffalo City Court; in December 1995, he created Buffalo's Drug
Treatment Court and continues to serve as its Presiding Judge; and
WHEREAS, In December 2002, Judge Robert Russell established and began
serving over Buffalo's Mental Health Treatment Court; he oversees treat-
ment cases involving individuals diagnosed as severely and persistently
mentally ill; and
WHEREAS, The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), an advoca-
cy organization for the mentally ill, awarded Judge Russell the Nancy D.
Smith Memoriam Award; in addition, he was bestowed the Professional
Service Award by the Mental Health Association of Erie County; and
WHEREAS, In January of 2008, Judge Robert Russell created and began
presiding over our Nation's first Veterans Treatment Court, in collab-
oration with the Western New York Health Care Network, Western New York
Veterans Project, and with a host of volunteer veterans that serve as
mentors; and
WHEREAS, Judge Robert Russell is a member of the national Advisory
Board of the Judges Criminal Justice / Mental Health Leadership Initi-
ative (JLI); he is the recipient of the Erie County Bar Association's,
"Award of Merit," and the New York State Bar Association's Award for
Outstanding Judicial Contribution; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Bonnie, who feels
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoices in his achievements;
and
WHEREAS, Judge Robert Russell's distinguished record merits the recog-
nition and respectful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Judge Robert Russell for his many years of distinguished and dedi-
cated service to the citizens of Western New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Judge Robert Russell.