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.
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