Senate Resolution No. 744

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING Judge Donald F. Cerio Jr. upon the
occasion of his retirement after over 40 years of
distinguished service to Madison County

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge outstanding individuals within our midst who
have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Judge Donald
F. Cerio Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement after over 40 years of
distinguished service to Madison County on Friday, March 31, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Donald F. Cerio Jr. graduated from Canastota Central School
District in 1975, and received his undergraduate degree from SUNY
Brockport, considering a career in law enforcement before enrolling in
law school; and

WHEREAS, He obtained his law degree from SUNY Buffalo and began his
career with the Madison County District Attorney's Office in 1983; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, Donald F. Cerio Jr. was promoted to Chief
Assistant District Attorney (ADA); he served as the Chief ADA until
1989, when he was elected District Attorney; and

WHEREAS, As District Attorney, Donald F. Cerio Jr. oversaw numerous
cases including the Delbert Ward trial, which became a national news
story; he also oversaw an early case utilizing DNA as a form of evidence
in Madison County, before its use was widely accepted in the courtroom;
and

WHEREAS, Following the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, Donald F.
Cerio Jr. became the first district attorney to try an individual under
the new terrorism laws; and

WHEREAS, In 2008, Donald F. Cerio Jr. was appointed to the New York
Court of Claims by then-Governor David Paterson; he was reappointed to
the role by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2017; up until his retirement date,
The Honorable Donald F. Cerio Jr. continued serving as a Court of Claims
Judge and was also Acting Justice of the Madison County Supreme Court;
and

WHEREAS, Judge Donald F. Cerio Jr. worked with law enforcement to
form the Victims Advocate Center in Madison County and served as an
adjunct professor at Syracuse University Law School; and

WHEREAS, During his illustrious career, including over 40 years in
the court system, Judge Donald F. Cerio Jr. has made a lasting impact on
countless people throughout the region, truly earning the admiration,
affection, and esteem of his colleagues and the community-at-large; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
dedicated individuals who have shown a long and sustained commitment to

excellence certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the
citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Judge Donald F. Cerio Jr. 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 Judge Donald F. Cerio Jr.