Assembly Resolution No. 43

BY: M. of A. Lavine

HONORING the life and legacy of Charles Dolan, a
visionary telecommunications mogul, and a tireless
advocate for pancreatic cancer research

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 this
great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dolan of Cove Neck, Long Island, New York, died on
Saturday, December 28, 2024, at the age of 98; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dolan was born in 1926 in Cleveland, Ohio; his
proclivity for innovation began at the age of 16, when he began
publishing a weekly Boy Scout column in a local Cleveland newspaper; in
high school, he continued in the media industry and worked at a
Cleveland radio station; shortly thereafter, he served in the United
States Air Force during World War II; once his service concluded, he
returned to Ohio to attend John Carroll University; and

WHEREAS, During his college years, Charles Dolan met fellow student
Helen Burgess; they would go on to be married for 73 wonderful years
until her passing in 2023; the two eventually built and sold an editing
and producing company; using the proceeds from the sale, the two moved
to New York and formed Sterling Movies USA, which distributed industrial
films to targeted audiences; and

WHEREAS, Sterling Movies USA led to Charles Dolan's ground-breaking
idea of using coaxial cables to deliver better TV signals to New Yorkers
than rooftop antennas, as well as one of his earliest ventures,
Teleguide, allowed hotels to receive targeted local news and information
to guests; and

WHEREAS, A few years later, in 1964, Charles Dolan secured the right
to wire lower Manhattan from the City and struck a deal with Madison
Square Garden for the exclusive rights to air National Basketball
Association and National Hockey League playoff games; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dolan envisioned a commercial-free TV channel, and
subsequently launched Home Box Office (HBO) channel; and

WHEREAS, After selling HBO, Charles Dolan purchased a new cable
system in Long Island, called Cablevision, which, at its height, was the
fifth-largest cable provider in the United States; years later, Charles
Dolan founded the American Movie Classics (AMC) television station in
1984, which became part of AMC Networks, another of Charles Dolan's
business ventures; he was also the innovator behind the first 24-hour
cable channel for local news in the United States, News 12; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dolan continued to make an indelible mark on New
York and Long Island through Cablevision's acquisition of Madison Square
Garden and its sports teams, the New York Knicks and New York Rangers in
1994; and


WHEREAS, Beyond his unrelenting pursuit of success in media and
communications, Charles Dolan will be remembered for his generous
philanthropic contributions, including his role as the Founder and
Chairman Emeritus of the Lustgarten Foundation, the largest private
funder of pancreatic cancer research today, as well as the Dolan Family
Foundation and the Dolan Children's Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Through all his philanthropy, Charles Dolan never forgot
his home: Cove Neck, Long Island; he became involved with Cold Spring
Harbor Laboratory in 1968, an institution famous for its research on
cancer, neuroscience, plant biology and genomics; in 2017, he and his
wife Helen were awarded Double Helix Medals in recognition of their
outstanding contributions to the laboratory; Charles and Helen Dolan
were also steadfast supporters of the Community Foundation of Oyster Bay
and Friends Academy in Glen Cove; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dolan is survived by his six children, 19
grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a trailblazing spirit, Charles Dolan forever
changed the telecommunications and media industries by founding iconic
businesses in sports, entertainment, and media; he leaves behind a
legacy that will long endure the passage of time; he will be deeply
missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative Body;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the life and legacy of Charles Dolan, and to express its deepest
condolences to his family, friends, and all those who had the sincere
pleasure of knowing him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Charles Dolan.