Senate Resolution No. 5052

BY: Senator LARKIN

COMMENDING The Honorable John K. McGuirk upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Lifetime Achievement Award by Boy Scouts of America,
Hudson Valley Council

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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
the citizens of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend The Honorable John K. McGuirk upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Boy Scouts
of America, Hudson Valley Council, to be celebrated at its Distinguished
Citizen Award Dinner on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at West Hills Country
Club, Middletown, New York; and

WHEREAS, Born on May 6, 1942 in New York City, John K. McGuirk is a
retired Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, 9th Judicial
District; and

WHEREAS, John K. McGuirk graduated from Manhattan College in 1963,
with a degree in economics before earning his J.D. from Boston College
Law School in 1966, and a Masters of Law from New York University School
of Law in 1971; and

WHEREAS, John K. McGuirk began his long and distinguished legal
career as a Staff Attorney in Washington, D.C. for the Federal
Communications Commission; he has served at all levels of government
including local, county, state and federal; and

WHEREAS, After serving as an Assistant Professor of Law at the
United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and as Captain
in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps from 1967 to
1971, Justice John K. McGuirk chose to remain in the Mid-Hudson Valley;
and

WHEREAS, Justice John K. McGuirk practiced law throughout the Hudson
Valley, serving as Town Judge for the Town of Cornwall from 1976 to
1995; and

WHEREAS, In 1995, Justice John K. McGuirk was appointed by Governor
Pataki to fill a vacancy on the Orange County Family Court bench to
which he was elected in November of that year; four years later, he was
elected to the New York State Supreme Court and served for 12 years as a
Supreme Court Justice in the 9th Judicial District, retiring in November
of 2012; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary man currently serves as Counsel of
Rider, Weiner & Frankel in New Windsor, New York; and

WHEREAS, Justice John K. McGuirk is a member of many professional
and civic organizations including the New York State Bar Association,
Orange County Bar Association and the New York State Supreme Court
Justices' Association; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, he has served several terms as the Orange
County Bar Association Delegate to the New York State Bar Association
House of Delegates; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Justice John K. McGuirk has served on the Cornwall Hospital
Board of Directors and the Manhattan College National Alumni Council
Board of Directors; he is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians,
Cornwall Lions Club, Newburgh Rotary Club, Cornwall American Legion Post
353, the West Point Society of New York, and as an Honor member of
Highland Engine Company No. 1; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Joan, and their
seven children, as well as ten grandchildren, who have all shown him
love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those extraordinary individuals who have made contributions to
the success and progress of society in the course of their life's work;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity
to express its highest admiration for John K. McGuirk, and to wish him
continued success in all of his future endeavors; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Honorable John K. McGuirk upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Boy Scouts
of America, Hudson Valley Council; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable John K. McGuirk.