The New York State Senate

J2720

Senate Resolution No. 2720

BY: Senator COMRIE

CONGRATULATING Michele E. Lisby-Smith upon the
occasion of her retirement after 43 years of
dedicated service to the New York State Unified
Court System

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have
devoted themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their
community and the needs of its residents; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Michele E. Lisby-Smith upon the occasion of her retirement
after 43 years of dedicated service to the New York State Unified Court
System on Friday, June 3, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Michele E. Lisby-Smith began her illustrious Court
Reporting career with the New York State Unified Court System in 1979,
when she began working as a per diem Court Reporter in Manhattan and
Queens Criminal and Family Courts; and

WHEREAS, She went on to work as a Grand Jury Reporter in the Queens
District Attorney's office under Queens District Attorney John Santucci,
and has served in a variety of professional capacities including as a
Hearing Reporter for the Workers Compensation Board in Manhattan; and

WHEREAS, Michele E. Lisby-Smith received an Associate degree in
Court and Conference Reporting from Berkeley College in 1979; dedicated
to furthering her education, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree
from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York, graduating cum laude
in 1998 with a concentration in Management and Communications; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this impressive woman holds a Paralegal
Certificate from Adelphi University; and

WHEREAS, In 1983, Michele E. Lisby-Smith became a permanent Court
Reporter in Brooklyn Criminal Court and was subsequently promoted to
Senior Court Reporter in Queens Supreme Court assigned to the Civil and
Criminal Terms in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Today, Michele E. Lisby-Smith currently serves as Principal
Court Reporter, the esteemed position from which she will retire; in
this capacity, she has supervised approximately 35 Senior Court
Reporters for 20 years, all while giving tirelessly of her time and
energies as a mentor to student Court Reporters; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her distinguished career, Michele E. Lisby-Smith
has managed several high-profile trials, including the Howard Beach
Trial, the Police Officer Edward Byrne Trial, the Sean Bell Trial and
the Wendy's Trial; and

WHEREAS, Michele E. Lisby-Smith's love of the law and the legal
process was fostered in her childhood years as she accompanied her

father Maurice, who was a Paralegal for Cosmopolitan Mutual Insurance,
to court; her familial skills and tremendous wisdom were gifts from her
mother, Mildred, and she credits God and her loving parents as the solid
rock which enables her to live a purposeful and giving life; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to the Southeast
Queens Community, Michele E. Lisby-Smith is extremely proud of her
long-standing membership with the Greater Allen Cathedral of New York,
where she was appointed to serve on Stewardess Board No. 3 and currently
serves as Vice President; she is also a member of the Lawyer's Guild and
has been a member of Ladies Usher Board No. 2; and

WHEREAS, In addition, she has participated with the Women's Ministry
Retreat/Usher Committee, served as mentor with the Girls Rites of
Passage Program, and participated with the Building Fund-Raising
Committee; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Addisleigh Park, Queens, Michele E.
Lisby-Smith is an active member and past Officer of The Greater Queens
Chapter of the Links, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Theta
Iota Omega Chapter; and

WHEREAS, For more than four decades, Michele E. Lisby-Smith rendered
faithful, conscientious and valuable service to the New York State
Unified Court System, earning the admiration, esteem and affection of
her colleagues; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband of 35 years,
Malcolm A. Smith, and their three children, Tracey Denise, Julian
Malcolm and Amanda Michele, as well as one grandson, Nyell Julian, all
of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her many
achievements; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate
blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that
demonstrated by Michele E. Lisby-Smith over a lifetime of sacrifice and
dedication to others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Michele E. Lisby-Smith upon the occasion of her retirement,
and to wish her continued success in all her future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Michele E. Lisby-Smith.