Bill Text: NY K00462 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Richard F. Griffin, prominent attorney, civil rights leader and devoted member of his community

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-01-18 - adopted [K00462 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-K00462-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 462

BY: M. of A. Wallace

        CELEBRATING   the  life  of  Richard  F.  Griffin,
        prominent attorney, civil rights leader and  devoted
        member of his community

  WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through  their  selfless commitment and dedication, served to better the
quality of life in their community and had a measurable positive  impact
on  the  lives  of  its  residents;  Richard  F.  Griffin  was  one such
individual; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  with  great  sorrow  and  deep  regret  that  this
Legislative  Body  records the passing of Richard F. Griffin, noting the
significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and

  WHEREAS, Richard F. Griffin of North  Buffalo,  New  York,  died  on
Thursday, October 14, 2021, at the age of 88; and

  WHEREAS,   Born   on   February   22,   1933,  Richard  F.  Griffin,
affectionately known as Dick,  grew up in North Buffalo; a  graduate  of
Canisius  High  School, he played baseball and was the star quarterback;
he was also the President of the Student Council; and

  WHEREAS, After graduating from Canisius College and  the  University
at  Buffalo Law School, Richard F. Griffin quickly asserted himself as a
skilled  litigator,  specializing  in  cases  involving  civil   rights,
railroads  and personal injury; throughout this time, he became involved
in many high-profile legal battles; and

  WHEREAS, In 1962, Richard F. Griffin represented a  group  of  Black
Muslim  prisoners  fighting for the right to worship and eat foods which
were prescribed by their  religion  in  the  Attica  State  Correctional
Facility;  that lawsuit, which resulted in a successful outcome, led him
to a friendship with Malcolm X, the famous Black Muslim leader; and

  WHEREAS, In the 1970s, Richard F. Griffin  was  hired  to  represent
plaintiffs  who  alleged  that  Buffalo's  public schools were illegally
segregated by race; this case resulted in  a  ruling  by  U.S.  District
Judge  John  T.  Curtin  ordering  a massive desegregation program which
changed the makeup of every city  school,  making  it  was  one  of  his
biggest cases; and

  WHEREAS, Richard F. Griffin served one term as President of the Erie
County   Bar  Association;  he  also  chaired  or  served  on  many  Bar
Association committees, concentrating on issues such  as  civil  rights,
increased   opportunities   for   women  and  minorities  in  the  legal
profession, and improving  legal  service  for  the  poor,  elderly  and
disabled; and

  WHEREAS, In 1976, Richard F. Griffin received the Medgar Evers Award
from  the  Buffalo  Branch  of  the  NAACP,  and later won distinguished
alumnus awards from Canisius College and the University at  Buffalo  Law
School; in addition, the State Bar Association honored him for his legal

work  on  civil  rights  cases,  and  the Western New York Defense Trial
Lawyers Association once named him Attorney of the Year; and

  WHEREAS,  A fine man, a great lawyer who practiced since 1957, and a
towering presence in the courtroom, Richard F. Griffin was a partner  at
both Moot & Sprague Law Firm and Phillips Lytle Law Firm; and

  WHEREAS,  In  addition  to  his  wife  of  66 years, the former Jane
Flanigen, Richard F. Griffin is survived  by  two  daughters,  Mary  and
Anne;  two  sons,  Thomas  and  Richard;  a  brother,  Peter;  and  five
grandchildren; and

  WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a  sense  of
compassion,  Richard  F.  Griffin 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; 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
celebrate the life of Richard F. Griffin, and  to  express  its  deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Richard F. Griffin.