LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the life and accomplishments of
Joseph Wershba, renowned journalist, Long Islander, and distinguished
citizen

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, Joe Wershba died on Saturday, May 14, 2011, at the age of 90;
and
WHEREAS, A pioneering newsman, Joseph Wershba was born in Manhattan on
August 19, 1920, the eldest son of Louis and Martha Peskin Wershba; and
WHEREAS, He attended Brooklyn College and was also the editor of the
college newspaper; after graduating, he served his country as a member
of the United States Army during World War II; and
WHEREAS, In 1944, Joseph Wershba joined CBS News as a radio news writ-
er on the overnight shift; while there, he met Shirley Lubowitz; the
happy couple married in 1948; and
WHEREAS, During the 1950s, Joseph Wershba worked for Edward R.
Murrow's "See It Now" program; his interview with Air Force Lieutenant
Milo John Radulovich aired on October 20, 1953, and helped raise public
concern to blind purges of potential communists in the federal govern-
ment; and
WHEREAS, From 1958 until 1964, Joseph Wershba served as a columnist
and featured writer for the NEW YORK POST; there, he wrote investigative
pieces on President John F. Kennedy's assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald and
his early days in New York City; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Wershba subsequently received a Pulitzer Prize nomi-
nation for his efforts on a story about Lee Harvey Oswald in 1963; and
WHEREAS, In 1968, Joseph Wershba became one of the six original
producers of "60 Minutes," and helped launch the popular news program;
he went on to become an Emmy Award-winning producer of "60 Minutes"; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Wershba earned multiple Emmy Awards during his years
with the weekly series; in addition, he earned an Emmy Award for his
collaborations in 1971 on the piece "What Happened in Tonkin Gulf," and
in 1978 on the piece "Teddy Kollek's Jerusalem"; and
WHEREAS, The 2005 movie "Good Night, and Good Luck" was based on CBS's
"See It Now", and Robert Downey, Jr.'s portrait of Joseph Wershba; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Joseph Wershba 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 pay
tribute to the life and accomplishments of Joseph Wershba, renowned
journalist, Long Islander, and distinguished citizen; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Joseph Wershba.