New York J 932: Mourning the death of Van B. Robinson, distinguished citizen, respected trailblazer and Syracuse politician, and devoted member of his community

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J00932 Summary:

BILL NOJ00932 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORMAY

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COSPNSRADDABBO, ASHBY, BAILEY, BASKIN, BORRELLO, BRISPORT, BROUK, BYNOE, CANZONERI-FITZPATRICK, CHAN,
 CLEARE, COMRIE, COONEY, FAHY, FERNANDEZ, GALLIVAN, GIANARIS, GONZALEZ, GOUNARDES, GRIFFO, HARCKHAM,
 HELMING, HINCHEY, HOYLMAN-SIGAL, JACKSON, KAVANAGH, KRUEGER, LANZA, LIU, MARTINEZ, MARTINS,
 MATTERA, MAYER, MURRAY, MYRIE, OBERACKER, O'MARA, ORTT, PALUMBO, PARKER, PERSAUD, RAMOS, RHOADS,
 RIVERA, ROLISON, RYAN C, RYAN S, SALAZAR, SANDERS, SCARCELLA-SPANTON, SEPULVEDA, SERRANO, SKOUFIS,
 STAVISKY, STEC, STEWART-COUSINS, TEDISCO, WALCZYK, WEBB, WEBER, WEIK

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MLTSPNSR

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Go to top J00932 Actions:

BILL NOJ00932 

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05/06/2025REFERRED TO FINANCE

Go to topJ00932 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topJ00932 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topJ00932 Text:

Senate Resolution No. 932

BY: Senator MAY

 MOURNING the death of Van B. Robinson,
 distinguished citizen, respected trailblazer and
 Syracuse politician, and devoted member of his
 community

 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

 WHEREAS, Van B. Robinson of Syracuse, New York, died on Saturday,
May 3, 2025, at the age of 87; and

 WHEREAS, Van B. Robinson distinguished himself in his profession and
by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and

 WHEREAS, A resident of Syracuse for 57 years, Van B. Robinson lived
a passionate life of service to others, beginning his legacy by helping
to revive the Syracuse NAACP, where he held the esteemed roles of vice
president and president; and

 WHEREAS, In 1999, Van B. Robinson joined the Syracuse Common Council
where he filled a vacant seat; he later successfully ran for election to
the same seat and was subsequently elected president of the council for
four-year terms each in 2009 and 2013, being the first Black politician
to hold the respected position; and

 WHEREAS, Van B. Robinson also helped establish the New York State
Fair's Pan-African Village and was one of the first city politicians to
call for the removal of Interstate 81 viaduct that impacted Syracuse's
15th ward when it was built in the early 1960s; his legacy of inspired
vision and unwavering determination to foster a unified community in all
facets of his work will long endure, undoubtedly inspiring countless New
Yorkers for decades to come; and

 WHEREAS, Out of respect and reverence for Van B. Robinson's myriad
accomplishments and renowned leadership, a room where lawmakers debated
and voted upon thousands of resolutions and laws was renamed in his
honor to the Van B. Robinson Common Council Chambers; and

 WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Van B.
Robinson received a commendation from AIA (American Institute of
Architects) of Central New York, a Proclamation for Service - NYS
Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli Deputy Chief, Herman Edge Award, Citizens
for a Crime Free Community Award, Post Standard Achievement Award,
International Masons Citizens Award, NAACP Freedom Award, OMEGA PSI-PHI
Citizen of The Year Award, Benjamin Banneker Democratic Club Achievement
Award, Fort Drum Appreciation Award, NYS Council of Black Democrats
Appreciation Award, and is a 2021 InterFaith Leadership Award recipient,
among many other notable civic and community acknowledgements; and

 WHEREAS, In his earlier life, Van B. Robinson enjoyed playing golf,
reading, and traveling both domestically and internationally, visiting
the Caribbean, the Panama Canal region, South Pacific Islands,
Australia, and New Zealand; he was also prideful of having the great
privilege of playing golf with former U.S. President Bill Clinton; and

 WHEREAS, Van B. Robinson's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and

 WHEREAS, Van B. Robinson is survived by his wife, Linda; children,
Donetta and Van E.; grandchildren, Jackie, Jovan, and Claude; and great
grandson Jovan Jr.; and

 WHEREAS, In grate