Senate Resolution No. 211

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

COMMENDING The Honorable Norman A. Mordue upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the
William C. Ruger Centennial Award by the Onondaga
County Bar Association

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
esteemed individuals within our midst whose professional lives, personal
endeavors and dedicated community service are an example and inspiration
to their colleagues, friends, and family; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accordance with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend The Honorable Norman A. Mordue upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the William C. Ruger Centennial Award by the
Onondaga County Bar Association, celebrated at its 141st Annual Dinner
on October 27, 2016, in the Grand Ballroom at the Marriott Syracuse
Downtown; and

WHEREAS, The William C. Ruger Centennial Award was named after the
first President of the Onondaga County Bar Association (OCBA), who later
served as Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals; and

WHEREAS, The prestigious William C. Ruger Centennial Award is given
to a judicial officer in recognition of their outstanding achievement in
devotion to the principles of our justice system; and

WHEREAS, Born in Elmira, New York, Judge Norman A. Mordue graduated
from Southside High School in 1958; after high school, he enrolled in
the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program at Syracuse
University where he studied Economics and played football; upon his
graduation in 1966, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the
United States Army; and

WHEREAS, After completing Basic Training, Judge Norman A. Mordue
heroically led his platoon during the Vietnam War, and was awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross for his selfless efforts to relieve another
platoon that had come under heavy artillery fire; and

WHEREAS, Judge Norman A. Mordue rescued two of his men who had been
injured from enemy fire; though he was severely injured after the
incident, he refused to accept medical help until his men were able to
withdraw; and

WHEREAS, For his leadership and courage in the face of adversity,
Judge Norman A. Mordue was also awarded both the Purple Heart and the
Bronze Star; and

WHEREAS, Following his distinguished military service as a Captain,
Judge Norman A. Mordue returned to Syracuse University to earn his Juris
Doctor in 1971; and

WHEREAS, Judge Norman A. Mordue began his professional legal career
serving as the District Attorney for Onondaga County from 1972 until
1982, where he worked the last six years as Chief Prosecutor; and

WHEREAS, Judge Norman A. Mordue worked his way up on the bench,
serving as a County Court Judge from 1982 to 1988, then as the State
Supreme Court Justice in Onondaga County from 1986 until 1998; and

WHEREAS, Nominated by President Bill Clinton and confirmed in only
16 days, Judge Norman A. Mordue was appointed to United States District
Court for the Northern District of New York in 1998, serving as the
Chief Judge of the Court until 2013, when he became the Senior Judge on
the bench; and

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
citizens of this great Empire state; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Honorable Norman A. Mordue upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the William C. Ruger Centennial Award by the
Onondaga County Bar Association; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Norman A. Mordue.