LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the accomplishments of Governor Charles
Evans Hughes and celebrating the centennial of his presidential candida-
cy

WHEREAS, New York State has long been the birthplace and home to great
historical figures, men and women who, through their great personal and
professional achievements, have furthered the causes of humanity,
government, education and social reform; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the accom-
plishments of Governor Charles Evans Hughes and celebrate the centennial
of his presidential candidacy; and
WHEREAS, The City of Glens Falls, New York, will be declaring October
15, 2016, Charles Evans Hughes Day, to be celebrated with a myriad of
events planned throughout the day; and
WHEREAS, Born on April 11, 1862, in Glens Falls, New York, in the
midst of the American Civil War, Charles Evans Hughes was the only child
of the former Mary C. Connelly and Reverend David C. Hughes; and
WHEREAS, An intelligent child, Charles Evans Hughes was able to read
at three and a half years-old, and began to learn the Greek language at
the age of nine; and
WHEREAS, Charles Evans Hughes attended Lafayette School in Newark, New
Jersey, and graduated as Salutatorian at the young age of 13; one year
later, he enrolled at Madison University (now Colgate University), where
he became a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity; and
WHEREAS, Charles Evans Hughes then transferred to Brown University,
continuing as a member of Delta Upsilon; he graduated third in his class
at the age of 19, having been elected to Phi Beta Kappa in his junior
year; and
WHEREAS, In 1882, Charles Evans Hughes entered Columbia Law School
where he graduated two years later with highest honors; while studying
law, he taught at Delaware Academy; in 1884, he scored 99.5 percent on
the New York Bar Exam, the highest grade up to that time; and
WHEREAS, From 1893-1905, Charles Evans Hughes served as President of
the Boston Baptist Social Union, a Christian fellowship of men, promot-
ing love among all people; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to his alma mater, Charles Evans Hughes was a
member of the Brown University Board of Trustees from 1903-1910; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished public career, Charles Evans
Hughes maintained deep roots in the Glens Falls region and used those
contacts as a source of strength to sustain his career as one of the
20th Century's greatest political figures; and
WHEREAS, From 1907-1910, Charles Evans Hughes held the esteemed posi-
tion of the 36th Governor of the State of New York; in this capacity, he
produced important reform legislation in three areas: improvement of the
machinery and processes of government, extension of the state's regula-
tory authority over businesses engaged in public services, and expansion
of governmental police and welfare functions; and
WHEREAS, As Governor, Charles Evans Hughes also championed and signed
legislation to enforce the State Constitution provision prohibiting
gambling; as a result, New York race tracks were shut down; and
WHEREAS, In 1908, Governor Charles Evans Hughes signed the Glens Falls
city charter, and two years later, he signed the first Workman's Compen-
sation Law in the Nation; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Governor Charles Evans Hughes was instrumental
in establishing the New York State Public Service Commission, and Sara-
toga State Park; and

WHEREAS, After his term as Governor, Charles Evans Hughes was nomi-
nated by President William H. Taft for Associate Justice to fill a
vacancy on the United States Supreme Court, a title he held from
1910-1916; and
WHEREAS, In 1914, Charles Evans Hughes joined the National Geographic
Society, and was named a life trustee in 1930; and
WHEREAS, After resigning from the Supreme Court on June 10, 1916,
Justice Charles Evans Hughes ran for President of the United States at
the age of 54; he narrowly lost to Woodrow Wilson, 277 electoral votes
to 254; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to his law profession, Charles Evans Hughes held
the title of President of the New York Bar Association in 1917; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately, Charles Evans Hughes' daughter, Helen, became
sick in 1918; after vacationing in Lake George during the summer, the
family rented a home in Glens Falls, to avoid moving her back to New
York City; devoted to both his family and his position, Charles spent
the weekends with the family upstate and worked during the week in the
City; and
WHEREAS, After Helen Hughes' untimely death in 1920, Charles Evan
Hughes declined to run again for President, citing his sorrow at the
loss of his beloved daughter; and
WHEREAS, From 1921-1925, the well-respected orator served as United
States Secretary of State; in 1928, he held the title of Judge on the
Court of International Justice, a position he held for two years until
he was reappointed to the United States Supreme Court where he served as
the 11th Chief Justice from 1930-1941; and
WHEREAS, On August 27, 1948, the American statesman Charles Evans
Hughes passed away at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Charles Evans Hughes, former New York
State Governor, Presidential candidate, Supreme Court Justice and
devoted family man; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and admired by the Nation as a whole, Charles Evans Hughes'
life was a portrait of service and patriotism, a legacy that long
endured the passage of time, and will forever remain in the hearts of
all New Yorkers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the accomplishments of Governor Charles Evans Hughes and celebrate
the centennial of his presidential candidacy; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
.SO DOC A R1565 RESO TEXT 2015
smitted to Jack Diamond, Mayor, Glens Falls, New York.