Senate Resolution No. 425

BY: Senator ORTT

CONGRATULATING Robert T. Farley upon the occasion
of his retirement after 30 years of distinguished
service to the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize
and commend outstanding individuals whose professional lives are both an
example and an inspiration to their colleagues, friends and family; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Robert T. Farley upon the occasion of his retirement after
30 years of distinguished service to the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Born in 1962 in Syracuse, New York, Robert T. Farley
graduated with honors from Niskayuna High School; he then received a
Bachelor of Arts degree, Magna Cum Laude, from the State University of
New York at Albany, before earning his Juris Doctorate degree from
Hofstra University School of Law; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, Robert T. Farley graduated from Albany Law School,
Summa Cum Laude, first in his class, receiving a post doctorate L.L.M.
degree; upon graduation from law school in 1987, he began his
illustrious legal career as a litigation attorney with the distinguished
Albany law firm of McNamee, Lochner, Titus and Williams, P.C.; and

WHEREAS, He was admitted to practice law in New York State in
January of 1988, and before the Federal Courts of the United States one
month later; and

WHEREAS, Robert T. Farley was appointed to serve as a counsel to the
Assembly Minority Leader Clarence Rappleyea in February of 1991; in this
capacity, he served as Counsel to the Assembly Committees on: Banks,
Insurance, Commerce, Small Business, and Labor, and the Task Force on
Reapportionment; and

WHEREAS, Four years later, Robert T. Farley was appointed to the
position of Deputy Attorney General for the State of New York; during
his tenure, he headed the Department of Law's Intergovernmental
Relations and Legislative Affairs Division, drafted over 100 AG Program
bills, and served as a member of the Attorney General's executive
committee, as well as Representative to the New York State Law
Enforcement Council; and

WHEREAS, Robert T. Farley returned in May of 1996, as a Senior
Counsel to the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Housing,
Construction and Community Development; as a Senior Counsel, he was
instrumental in drafting the most historic changes ever made to the rent
regulation statute, an issue that directly impacted over 4 million
people, and also assisted in the modernization of and update of the
State's fire prevention and building code; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, Robert T. Farley was asked to serve as Chief
Counsel for the highly prestigious Standing Committee on Civil Service

and Pensions for the New York State Senate; in this position, he helped
to craft several important changes in this area; and

WHEREAS, Robert T. Farley was asked to serve as Chief Counsel to the
New York State Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security
and Military Affairs in 2007; and

WHEREAS, Recognized as a legal scholar as well as a practitioner, in
January 2007, Robert T. Farley was appointed as an Adjunct Professor of
Law at the State University of New York at Albany; and

WHEREAS, In January of 2011, Robert T. Farley was made a Senior
Supervisory Counsel to the Senate Majority, serving as Committee Counsel
to the Senate Committees on: Finance; Banks; Consumer Protection;
Corporations, Commissions and Authorities; Cities; Education; Higher
Education; Insurance; Investigations; Local Government; and Veterans,
Homeland Security and Military Affairs; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Robert T. Farley has truly served
with loyalty, honor and distinction, rendering faithful, conscientious
and valuable service the people of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, After his service as Senior Counsel in the New York State
Senate, the esteemed position from which he is retiring, Robert T.
Farley will remain as a member of the faculty at the State University of
Albany, and will continue to serve as a partner in his family law firm
of Farley and Farley; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Robert T. Farley takes great pride in
organizing the annual distribution of flags on Memorial Day at the
Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, New
York; he and many others spend their holiday paying respect to the
veterans buried at the cemetery by placing an American flag at each
tombstone; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Marilyn, and their
two daughters, Kathryn and Elizabeth, all of whom feel privileged to be
a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of his eminent service, it is the sense of
this Legislative Body to extend its highest commendations to Robert T.
Farley, and to applaud him for his solid work ethic, commitment and many
accomplishments; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Robert T. Farley upon the occasion of his retirement, and
to wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Robert T. Farley.