June 1, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO HONOR FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL ROBERT ABRAMS
State Justice Building in Albany Renamed the “Robert Abrams Building for Law and Justice”
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that he has signed Executive Order No. 20 to rename the State Justice Building in Albany to honor former Attorney General Robert Abrams. The building will hereafter be known as the “Robert Abrams Building for Law and Justice.”
“Robert Abrams embodies the rule of law and the pursuit of justice. So it is not only appropriate but judicious to rename the State Justice Building in honor of his service to New York,” said Governor Paterson. “He is a national model for state attorneys general throughout our nation. He fought fiercely for the people of this State, protecting consumer and civil rights and launching groundbreaking efforts in the areas of environmental protection and criminal prosecution. He has left an indelible mark on New York’s history.”
“Every day of governmental service provided a unique challenge and enormous personal satisfaction,” said former Attorney General Abrams. “This is an extraordinary moment in my life. My family and I are grateful to Governor Paterson for this wonderful announcement.”
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said: “Robert Abrams epitomizes honest public service and throughout his exemplary career always put the people of New York first. I can think of no one more deserving of this high honor, and it is fitting that he will now take his rightful place in an exclusive club of Albany legends that includes Al Smith, Nelson Rockefeller, and Erastus Corning.”
Former Attorney General Abrams devoted nearly 30 years to public service in New York, including four terms as Attorney General from 1979 until 1993. He was also elected to three terms in the New York State Assembly and three terms as the Bronx Borough President between 1966 and 1979. The former Attorney General served as President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), which awarded him with the Wyman Award as the outstanding Attorney General in the nation in 1991. The NAAG also presented former Attorney General Abrams with the Bellotti Award in 2005, in recognition of his diligent work to further the Association’s mission, outstanding leadership abilities and high moral character.
In addition, the New York University School of Law has created the Attorney General Robert Abrams Annual Public Service Lecture and has featured Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, former Senator and current Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, former Governor and current Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Governor James Doyle of Wisconsin, and former Vermont Chief Justice Jeffrey Amestoy.
Since leaving government service, Attorney General Abrams has been a partner in the law firm of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan.
A copy of Executive Order No. 20 is available at: http://www.ny.gov/governor/executive_orders/exeorders/eo_20.html.
