Senate Resolution No. 3364

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMENDING The Honorable Norman I. Siegel upon the
occasion of his retirement after 17 years of
distinguished service as Judge in the New York State
Court of Claims and New York State Supreme Court
Justice

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those singular individuals who devote their purposeful
lives and careers to preserving the rights and protecting the welfare of
the citizens of their community and the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in the State of New York
has been ably served and uniquely enriched through the selfless
dedication and benevolent concern of Justice Norman I. Siegel; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The
Honorable Norman I. Siegel upon the occasion of his retirement after 17
years of distinguished service as Judge in the New York State Court of
Claims and a New York State Supreme Court Justice; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious milestone will be celebrated at an open
house on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at the Supreme Court, State Office
Building in Utica, New York; and

WHEREAS, Born on October 26, 1941, Norman I. Siegel was raised in
Brooklyn, New York, where he attended public schools; after graduating,
he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Colgate
University; and

WHEREAS, Norman I. Siegel furthered his education by obtaining his
Juris Doctor cum laude from Albany Law School where he was elected to
the Albany Law Review and Justinian Society in 1964; and

WHEREAS, From 1980-1994, Norman I. Siegel served as a part-time law
clerk for The Honorable John T. Buckley, an Oneida County Judge; during
this time, he held the position of Chairman of the Oneida County Bar
Association Grievance Committee, and was a member of the Fifth Judicial
District Grievance Committee; and

WHEREAS, In 1992, Norman I. Siegel was appointed by the Presiding
Justice of the Appellate Division of the Fourth Department to the
Character and Fitness Committee for the Fifth District; and

WHEREAS, For the next four years, Norman I. Siegel had a successful
private law practice and served as Oneida County Attorney; and

WHEREAS, Norman I. Siegel began his illustrious career with the New
York State Supreme Court as a New York State Court of Claims Judge;
Acting Justice of the Supreme Court on June 7, 2000; he officially
became a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court in November of
2011; in December of 2017, he will officially retire from both esteemed
titles; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work in the New York Court system,
Justice Norman I. Siegel was a vital and active member of his Oneida
County community; he was an Utica College Trustee and member of the
Executive Committee; he also served as the college's attorney when it
became an independent institution; and

WHEREAS, Justice Norman I. Siegel is proud of his involvement with
St. Elizabeth Medical Center, where he held the position of the first
non-religious-affiliated President of the Board of Directors for five
years; he then served as the first Chairman of the Board of Mohawk
Valley Health System; and

WHEREAS, A man of many passions and interests, Justice Norman I.
Siegel was also a Secretary of Ronald McDonald Charities of Central New
York, President of Charles T. Sitrin Home, Chancellor Commander of the
Knights of Pythias, Trustee of a "Taft-Hartley" Fund, and a vital member
of the Board of Directors of both the Utica Symphony and the Jewish
Federation of Utica, as well as a participant of the Utica School Board;
and

WHEREAS, In his capacity as a Judge in the New York Court of Claims
and a New York Supreme Court Justice, Norman I. Siegel served with
loyalty, honor and distinction, was governed by a keen sense of duty and
always showed a unique grasp of human problems in his official acts;
and; and

WHEREAS, Justice Norman I. Siegel was known among his colleagues and
in his community to be fair and scrupulously conscientious, having the
utmost respect for the position he held; and

WHEREAS, Through his work addressing legal issues that make a
significant impact on the quality of life within a community, Justice
Norman I. Siegel contributed countless hours to the betterment of his
community; and

WHEREAS, A singular asset to all of the citizens he has served in
the State of New York, Justice Norman I. Siegel's life and career are a
portrait of preeminence in public service, and present a role model for
all who aspire to a career in public service; and

WHEREAS, Justice Norman I. Siegel, in every capacity in which he
served, has left his permanent mark on the criminal justice community
and will forever be remembered as a determined, innovative and genuinely
concerned expert in his field; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Honorable Norman I. Siegel upon the occasion of his
retirement after 17 years of distinguished service as a Judge in the New
York State Court of Claims and a New York State Supreme Court Justice,
and to wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Norman I. Siegel.