LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring John R. Dunne upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Inaugural Champion of Justice Award by
Prisoners' Legal Services of New York

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the great
State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good works
of those patriotic and civic-minded community members who dedicate their
lives and careers to the service of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor John R. Dunne
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Inaugural Cham-
pion of Justice Award by Prisoners' Legal Services of New York; this
momentous occasion was celebrated at its 40th Anniversary Party on
Friday, October 24, 2014, at Albany Law School, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, A 1951 graduate of Georgetown University, John R. Dunne went
on to earn his Law degree from Yale Law School in 1954; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna as Senior Counsel
to the Firm, John R. Dunne served for 30 years in numerous federal,
state and local government positions; from 1990 to 1993 he was the
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the United States Depart-
ment of Justice; and
WHEREAS, For 24 years, John R. Dunne was a member of the New York
State Senate during which time he served in various roles including,
Deputy Majority Leader and Chair of the judiciary, environmental
protection, insurance and prisons committees; and
WHEREAS, Then Senator John R. Dunne was a major figure in attempting
to quell the Attica Prison riots because he was then Chairman of the
Senate Corrections Committee which oversaw the prison system; and
WHEREAS, John R. Dunne chaired the Board of Directors of The New York
State Office of Capital Defender and is a member of the Board of Direc-
tors of the State Office of Indigent Law Services which monitors,
studies, and makes efforts to improve the quality of legal services
provided to indigent criminal defendants; and
WHEREAS, A Founding Director of Prisoners' Legal Services of New York,
John R. Dunne remains an active member of its Board where he has worked
hard to ensure the provision of high quality, effective legal represen-
tation, as well as assistance to indigent prisoners to help them secure
their civil and human rights; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor John R. Dunne upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Inaugural Champion of Justice Award by Prisoners' Legal Services of
New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John R. Dunne.