Bill Text: NY J00402 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Mourning the death of Lawrence Otis Graham, prominent attorney, bestselling author and distinguished citizen
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 43-20)
Status: (Passed) 2021-02-23 - ADOPTED [J00402 Detail]
Download: New_York-2021-J00402-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 402 BY: Senator HARCKHAM MOURNING the death of Lawrence Otis Graham, prominent attorney, bestselling author and distinguished citizen WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who, through their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to better the quality of life in our community and have had a measurable positive impact on the lives of its residents; Lawrence O. Graham was one such individual; and WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative Body records the passing of Lawrence O. Graham, noting the significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and WHEREAS, Lawrence O. Graham of Chappaqua, New York, died on Friday, February 19, 2021, at the age of 59; and WHEREAS, Born on December 25, 1961, Lawrence O. Graham was the son of Betty J. and Richard C. Graham; after graduating from White Plains High School, he earned his bachelor's degree from Princeton University and his juris doctor from Harvard Law School; and WHEREAS, For many years, Lawrence O. Graham worked as a corporate and real estate attorney at the White Plains law firm Cuddy & Feder; in this capacity, he represented banks in real estate financings and served real estate clients on residential and commercial projects; and WHEREAS, In addition to his distinguished law career, Lawrence O. Graham was a best-selling author of 14 non-fiction books about politics, education, race and class in America, some of which include Our Kind of People: Inside America's Black Upper Class, a New York Times and national bestseller, which Fox Entertainment is currently developing into a television series; The Senator and The Socialite: The Story of America's First Black Political Dynasty; and his essay collection Member of the Club, which included the New York Magazine cover story recounting his work undercover as a black busboy at the Greenwich Country Club in the early 1990s; and WHEREAS, A man of many interests and passions, Lawrence O. Graham was devoted to his community, serving as a board member of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, the American Theatre Wing, the Eaglebrook School, and the Horace Mann School, Red Cross of Westchester, the Princeton Center for Leadership Training, the Jack & Jill Foundation, and the Westchester Holocaust Commission; and WHEREAS, Lawrence O. Graham also served as chairman of the Westchester County Police Board, was a frequent political commentator on News 12 Westchester, and an active member of the men's organization Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, also known as The Boule; and WHEREAS, Lawrence O. Graham is survived by his wife of 29 years, Pamela Thomas-Graham; two sons, Gordon and Harrison; one daughter, Lindsey; one brother, Richard Graham; his godmother, Mirian Hinds; and many cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews, as well as numerous friends and colleagues who will long cherish his memory; and WHEREAS, A devoted husband and father, Lawrence O. Graham's name is synonymous with character, dignity, intellect, depth, and humor, qualities evident to his family and to all those who were fortunate enough to have known him; he will be deeply missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Lawrence Otis Graham, prominent attorney, bestselling author and distinguished citizen; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Lawrence Otis Graham.