Senate Resolution No. 784

BY: Senator KENNEDY

MOURNING the death of Stanford Lipsey, veteran,
philanthropist, Pulitzer Prize acclaimed publisher
and former publisher of the The Buffalo News

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those persons who have diligently and consistently, year after year,
recorded the history of their communities and brought local news and
news of the larger world to their readers; and

WHEREAS, Stanford Lipsey died on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at the
age of 89 at his home in Rancho Mirage, California; and

WHEREAS, Stanford Lipsey was born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 8,
1927 to Jacob Lipsey and the former Molly Brick, Jewish immigrants from
Russia; and

WHEREAS, Stanford Lipsey became interested in journalism at a young
age and became a photography editor of his high school newspaper and
college yearbook; he went on to the University of Michigan, where he
graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor's degree in economics; and

WHEREAS, After graduation, Stanford Lipsey went on to serve in the
Air Force as the editor of the Offutt Air Force Base (Neb.) publication
Air Pulse at the start of the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, Stanford Lipsey started in the publishing business at an
Omaha company which distributed free weekly newspapers; during his 15
years there, he expanded it to become the Sun Newspapers; and

WHEREAS, During his career, Stanford Lipsey was known as the
publisher who persuaded Warren E. Buffet, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway to
invest in newspapers and purchase the Sun Newspapers as well as for his
expose on the fund-raising excesses by Boys Town, the charity for
orphaned children; and

WHEREAS, The expose titled "Boys Town, America's richest city: 700
boys with $209 million" won the Pulitzer Prize for Local Investigative
Specialized Reporting in 1973 for disclosing how Boys Town was
soliciting contributions even though it had accumulated millions in
assets, while its caseload shrunk; and

WHEREAS, Stanford Lipsey went on to be the publisher for The Buffalo
News; he was credited for being the guiding force which allowed the
former Buffalo Evening News to survive the 1980s and remain strong
during the current challenging times for daily newspapers in America;
and

WHEREAS, As a publisher, Stanford Lipsey was a strong supporter of
the projects that greatly benefitted the local areas such as the new
medical corridor in downtown Buffalo, additions to Roswell Park, the
current Key Bank Center, as well as modernizing the single-terminal
Buffalo Niagara International Airport; and

WHEREAS, During his 30 years at The Buffalo News, Stanford Lipsey
championed several local initiatives, including Kids Day, Cradle Beach
Camp, the Junior League of Buffalo Decorators' Show House, the News
Neediest Fund, Books for Kids and the Buffalo News Albright Knox Jazz
Series; and

WHEREAS, Stanford Lipsey distinguished himself in his profession and
by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and

WHEREAS, As a big supporter of women's equality, Stanford Lipsey
named The Buffalo News' first woman editor, Margaret M. Sullivan, in
1999, while also promoting women to the positions of Senior Vice
President, Executive Sports Editor, and the editorial board, among
others; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, Stanford Lipsey was
considered a preservationist, philanthropist and community leader who
always went above and beyond for the city of Buffalo to ensure their
developments were cared for; and

WHEREAS, Among other honors, Stanford Lipsey was given the Spirit of
Wright Award in 1997 by the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy and the New
York State Governor's Parks and Historic Preservation Award by Governor
George Pataki the following year; earlier this year, he was bestowed the
Daniel Patrick Moynihan Excelsior Award by the American Institute of
Architects; and

WHEREAS, Stanford Lipsey is survived by his wife, the former Judith
C. Hojnacki; a daughter, Janet; one son, Daniel; and two grandchildren;
and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Stanford Lipsey leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Stanford Lipsey, veteran, philanthropist, Pulitzer
Prize acclaimed publisher and former publisher of The Buffalo News; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Stanford Lipsey.