LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the memory of the 2012-2013 deceased
members of the New York State Legislature, in recognition of their
distinguished lives and careers in public service

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality and
character of life in this great Empire State is indelibly enriched by
the faithful and caring efforts of those outstanding individuals who
would devote their lives to public service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, representing the people of the State
of New York, is moved this day to pay just tribute to the distinguished
lives and careers of the deceased members of the New York State Legisla-
ture, and to honor the memory of these prominent citizens whose purpose-
ful careers and worthy endeavors contributed to the quality and charac-
ter of life in their communities; and
WHEREAS, To date, the 2012-2013 deceased members of the New York State
Legislature include: James Conte, Geraldine L. Daniels, Estella Diggs,
Sylvia Friedman, James Grover, May Newburger, David O'Brien Martin,
Daniel Stoughton Dickinson, Jr., William Calli, Sr., and Joseph M.
Reilly; and
WHEREAS, A lifetime resident of Huntington Station, New York, James
"Jim" Conte served as a New York State Assemblyman representing the 10th
District from 1988 until his death in 2012; a strong voice on behalf of
his constituents, he served as a member of the Assembly Education
Committee because of his commitment to the education of all children;
and
WHEREAS, James Conte was the loving husband of Debra Ingalls Conte,
and the proud father of three children, Sarah Ashley, Jeffrey James, and
Samantha Irene; he died on October 16, 2012; and
WHEREAS, A native New Yorker born in East Harlem, Geraldine L. Daniels
served in the New York State Assembly from 1981 until 1992; she was a
strong advocate for the needs of Harlem's senior citizens and educa-
tional empowerment for Harlem's children and parents; and
WHEREAS, Assemblywoman Geraldine L. Daniels accomplished many firsts;
she was the first African-American woman to chair a standing committee
in the New York State Assembly, the Social Services Committee, as well
as the Majority Steering Committee, and the Majority Democratic Confer-
ence; she died on July 27, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Renowned trailblazer Estella B. Diggs was the first African-
American woman from the Bronx to be elected to serve as a member of the
New York State Assembly; she represented the Morrisania section in the
Bronx; and
WHEREAS, Recognized by many as "The Lady" due to her dignified manner,
Assemblywoman Estella B. Diggs was known for her tireless work on behalf
of women, infants, and children, as well as her commitment to her
constituents; she died on April 18, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Sylvia Friedman was elected to the New York State Assembly on
February 28, 2006; as an Assemblywoman, she was a member of the Alcohol-
ism and Drug Committee, the Election Law Committee, the Housing Commit-
tee and the Social Services Committee; and
WHEREAS, Prior to serving the people of the 74th Assembly District,
Sylvia Friedman was a long-time community activist and a member of her
local community board; her main focus was on housing and homeless
issues; she died on February 4, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman James R. Grover, Jr. represented the people of
the 3rd Assembly District from 1957-1962; he served his country during
World War II in the 52nd Coast Artillery in 1942, transferred to Air
Corps in 1943, and served as an Intelligence Officer in the 14th Air

Force (Flying Tigers) in China Theater for two and one half years; he
held the rank of Captain at the time of his discharge in 1946; and
WHEREAS, Prior to serving as a New York State Assemblyman, James R.
Grover, Jr. graduated from Columbia Law School at New York City in 1949,
was admitted to the bar in 1951, and began his practice in Babylon, New
York; he died on October 14, 2012; and
WHEREAS, May W. Newburger served the 16th Assembly District from 1978
until 1986; as an Assemblywoman, she was the Chairwoman of the Assembly
Task Force on Women's Issues, and Co-Chairperson of the Legislative
Commission on Water Resource Needs of Long Island; and
WHEREAS, Prior to her election to the New York State Assembly, May W.
Newburger served as the Legislative Director of the Assembly Committee
on Higher Education, and as the North Hempstead Town Supervisor, mentor-
ing many prominent Long Island, state and national leaders; she died on
August 30, 2012; and
WHEREAS, David O'Brien Martin was born in St. Lawrence County; a deco-
rated Marine veteran, he honorably served his country as a member of the
United States Marine Corps from 1966-1970; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, the year he graduated Albany Law, David O'Brien
Martin was elected to the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators;
following three years in county government, he rose quickly, serving in
the New York State Assembly from 1977-1980; he then represented the
North Country as a member of the United States Congress from 1981-1993;
he died on November 20, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Born in Binghamton, New York, Daniel Stoughton Dickinson, Jr.
served his country as a member of the Army Air Corps during World War
II, serving in the China-Burma-India Theater; he was honorably
discharged in 1947; and
WHEREAS, Daniel Stoughton Dickinson, Jr. was elected to the New York
State Assembly in 1954, and was re-elected to successive terms serving
from 1955 to 1965 when Governor Rockefeller appointed him a New York
State Family Court Judge in June of that year; he died on September 2,
2012; and
WHEREAS, Born in Utica, New York, William Calli, Sr. completed his
collegiate studies at Dartmouth College; while attending Dartmouth, he
honorably served his country with the United States Army Air Force; and
WHEREAS, His distinguished service to the people of his community
commenced in 1950, when, at the age of 26, William Calli, Sr. was
elected to serve as a member of the New York State Assembly, a position
which he proudly held for 14 consecutive years; he died September 17,
.SO DOC A R464 RESO TEXT 2013
2012; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Glen Cove, New York, Joseph M. Reilly
enlisted in the United States Navy while a senior in high school; he was
a teacher for 10 years, and was elected mayor to the City of Glen Cove
in 1961; and
WHEREAS, Joseph M. Reilly served from 1962-1966, when he was elected
to the New York State Assembly, where he served for 16 years, until
1982; he then became commissioner of general services for Nassau County,
a position he held for 10 years, until his retirement in 1992; he died
on September 23, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Every citizen in New York State has most certainly benefited,
in one way or another, from the deep dedication, intelligence and
passion these six members of the New York State Legislature brought to
their work as legislators and public policy-makers; and
WHEREAS, Their legacies will long serve as models of integrity and
devotion to public service; it is with hope that future generations
understand and appreciate the benevolence of these individuals, the
merit of their causes, and the quality of their service to the citizens

of New York, that we celebrate their noteworthy services; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the memory of the 2012-2013 deceased members of the New York State
Legislature, in recognition of their distinguished lives and careers in
public service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the families of the aforementioned Assembly members.