LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Michael J. O'Neill, distin-
guished 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, Michael J. O'Neill of Scarsdale, New York, died on May 29,
2012, at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, Michael J. O'Neill distinguished himself in his profession
and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of his community; and
WHEREAS, Michael J. O'Neill was born in Detroit on November 19, 1922;
showing an interest in journalism early on, he wrote a humor column in
his high school newspaper; and
WHEREAS, After enrolling at the University of Detroit, Michael J.
O'Neill left to serve as an Army journalist in Europe in World War II,
earning a bronze star for battlefield reporting; he graduated from the
University with a liberal arts degree in 1946; and
WHEREAS, Moving to New York, Michael J. O'Neill worked for a small
wire service and then the United Press, advancing to Washington corre-
spondent specializing in foreign affairs; and
WHEREAS, Michael J. O'Neill joined the DAILY NEWS Washington bureau in
1956, and became the newspaper's managing editor in 1968, executive
editor in 1974, and executive vice president in 1979; he resigned in
1982; and
WHEREAS, While with the DAILY NEWS in New York, Michael J. O'Neill
directed its breathless coverage of the "Son of Sam" serial killer; and
WHEREAS, His tenure also included the famous DAILY NEWS headline about
President Gerald Ford's speech denying the city money during the finan-
cial crisis, "Ford to City: Drop Dead"; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Michael J. O'Neill became a strong national voice
for responsible media behavior; and
WHEREAS, Michael J. O'Neill's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, From the mid-1990s until 2006, Michael J. O'Neill served on
the board of the Fund for the City of New York; and
WHEREAS, Michael J. O'Neill is survived by his wife of 64 years, the
former Mary Jane Kilcoyne; his sons, Michael and Kevin; his daughters,
Maureen and Kathryn; and five grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Michael J. O'Neill leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Michael J. O'Neill, 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 Michael J. O'Neill.