BILL NUMBER: S5267

SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of
the state highway system as the "Assemblyman William 'Bill' Magee High-
way"

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This legislation celebrates the late New York State Assemblyman William
"Bill" Magee's contributions to New York State, the agricultural commu-
nity, and rural America

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill designates a portion of state route 20 in the Town
of Nelson as the "Assemblyman William 'Bill' Magee Highway"

Section 2 states the commissioner of transportation shall provide
              

further installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state
highway system as designated by section one of this act.

Section 3 provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

This legislation celebrates the late New York State Assemblyman William
"Bill" Magee's contributions to New York State, the agricultural commu-
nity, and rural America.

Born in Oneida New York, and a graduate of Cornell University, Bill
Magee grew up serving his neighbors in Erieville from his family's dairy
farm and country store. Bill Magee continued that service into adulthood
as Supervisor of his beloved Town of Nelson where he resided his entire
life, on Route 20, while also working at the New York State Fair and as
a country auctioneer.

Bill Magee was sworn into the New York State Assembly in 1990 and he
represented Madison, parts of Otsego and Oneida Counties with fierce
dedication for three decades. His devotion and personal service to his
constituents never failed. It was always important to Bill to travel
Route

20 to Albany, foregoing the thruway, and stopping at diners and small
businesses and observing the rolling pastures, dairy farms, and people
along the way.

Bill Magee managed to bridge the communication gap between "upstate" and
"downstate" legislators, bringing Wall Street and Main Street together
like no one else could. He was a man of few words but was easily under-
stood by all.

Assemblyman Bill Magee's appointment as Chair of the New York State
Assembly Agriculture Committee allowed him to make an indelible impact
on all aspects of the industry. The results of his advocacy are apparent
across the state in the return of the hop bines, the success of the
craft brewing and wine industries, the growth of equine programs,
improved safety on the farms, agriculture in the classroom and so much
more!

It is suitable that this section of Route 20, where Assemblyman Bill
Magee resided with his wife Jeanette of 52 years, where he held many
years of auctions at Magee's Auction House, and where he traveled many
journeys to Albany and back doing the people's work, should be named in
his honor as we remember the many great and small deeds he did to accom-
plish so much for so many.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal costs for signage.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S5267A

SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of
the state highway system as the "Assemblyman William 'Bill' Magee High-
way"

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This legislation celebrates the late New York State Assemblyman William
"Bill" Magee's contributions to New York State, the agricultural commu-
nity, and rural America

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill designates the portion of Route 13 in Madison
County as the "Assemblyman William 'Bill' Magee Highway."

Section 2 states the commissioner of transportation shall provide
              

further installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state
highway system as designated by section one of this act.

Section 3 provides the effective date.

* The A-print of this legislation changes the route designated the Magee
Highway.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

This legislation celebrates the late New York State Assemblyman William
"Bill" Magee's contributions to New York State, the agricultural commu-
nity, and rural America.

Born in Oneida New York, and a graduate of Cornell University, Bill
Magee grew up serving his neighbors in Erieville from his family's dairy
farm and country store. Bill Magee continued that service into adulthood
as Supervisor of his beloved Town of Nelson where he resided his entire
life, on Route 20, while also working at the New York State Fair and as
a country auctioneer.

Bill Magee was sworn into the New York State Assembly in 1990 and he
represented Madison, parts of Otsego and Oneida Counties with tierce
dedication for three decades. His devotion and personal service to his
constituents never failed. It was always important to Bill to travel
Route 20 to Albany, foregoing the thruway, and stopping at diners and
small businesses and observing the rolling pastures, dairy farms, and
people along the way.  Bill Magee managed to bridge the communication
gap between "upstate" and "downstate" legislators, bringing Wall Street
and Main Street together like no one else could. He was a man of few
words but was easily understood by all.

Assemblyman Bill Magee's appointment as Chair of the New York State
Assembly Agriculture Committee allowed him to make an indelible impact
on all aspects of the industry. The results of his advocacy are apparent
across the state in the return of the hop bines, the success of the
craft brewing and wine industries, the growth of equine programs,

improved safety on the farms, agriculture in the classroom and so much
more!

It is suitable that this section of Route 13, near where Assemblyman
Bill Magee resided with his wife Jeanette of 52 years, near where he
held many years of auctions at Magee's Auction House, and near where he
traveled many journeys to Albany and back doing the people's work,
should be named in his honor as we remember the many great and small
deeds he did to accomplish so much for so many.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2021: 55267 (May) / A6175 (Salka) FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:  Minimal costs
for signage.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.