LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the life and accomplishments of
Judge Leonard E. Yoswein, a true public servant and civic leader

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize those
individuals of preeminent character whose lives exemplified the highest
ideals of humanity and whose lifework and civic endeavor served to
enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of
New York; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein passed away on February 25, 2011,
surrounded by his loved ones; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein was born in Manhattan on September
8, 1920, and performed extraordinary work as a public servant in a vari-
ety of capacities throughout his 90 years; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein devoted himself to community affairs
at an early age, serving on the Tenants Council at Linden Houses, a
public housing development in East New York where he lived with his
family; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein displayed a unique drive to improve
each community he joined; as a waiter in the Catskills, his precocious
talent for community organizing was evident when he organized his fellow
employees into a labor union; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein completed his studies at Brooklyn
College in 1942, graduated from New York University School of Law, and
was admitted to the New York bar in 1949; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein served as a Captain in the United
States Army Air Forces during World War II; he valiantly navigated
planes beneath radar surveillance through dangerous mountain ranges in
China and Burma, courageously delivering fuel and supplies to Allied
forces; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein was recognized not only for his
outstanding bravery in battle, but also for his remarkable intellect,
which contributed to the development of early long range-radio naviga-
tion systems; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein was elected to the New York State
Assembly with the support of Governor Herbert Lehman and Eleanor Roose-
velt; and
WHEREAS, In his capacity as State Assembly Member for Canarsie from
1961 to 1968, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein tirelessly fought to pass
progressive civil rights legislation in New York State; he compassion-
ately advocated for the equal treatment of some of New York's most
vulnerable citizens as Chairman of the Assembly Mental Health Committee
and as a proponent of improved access to adoption; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein was elected to the New York Civil
Court in 1969; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein continued to contribute to humanita-
rian causes as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Rent and
Housing Maintenance, where he ensured that public housing residents had
sufficient heating during the Arab oil crisis in 1973; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein served as Executive Assistant to the
Mayor of the City of New York for Intergovernmental Affairs in 1975; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein was elected to the Kings County
Supreme Court in 1976, where he served for nine years as Administrative
Justice of the New York State Supreme Court for Brooklyn and Staten
Island; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein was so invested in the power of law
to help those in need that he became an Administrative Law Judge for the
United States Social Security Administration at the age of 76; and

WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein was known as an inspiring role model
to his family and friends, and as a regular donor to worthwhile chari-
ties in his own community and beyond; he was praised for his inexhausti-
ble kindness, his warm sense of humor, and his determined desire to see
the best in all people; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein is survived by his beloved compan-
ion, The Honorable Sarah "Sallie" Krauss; daughter, Rebecca J. Yoswein;
grandchildren, Kelly and Sean McGreen; sister, Renee Zeiger (Bernie);
and sister-in-law Martha Yoswein; and
WHEREAS, Judge Leonard E. Yoswein enriched the lives of countless New
Yorkers through his long career in public service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the life and accomplishments of Judge Leonard E. Yoswein, a
true public servant and civic leader; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Judge Leonard E. Yoswein.