Senate Resolution No. 1782
BY: Senator MYRIE
COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the New
York State Bar Association
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the New York State Bar Association;
and
WHEREAS, The New York State Bar Association, formed in 1876, is
celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026 after a century and a half of
service to the State of New York and its residents; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Bar Association is the largest and most
influential voluntary state bar association in the country and the most
recognized and respected bar association in the world; the association
boasts around 55,000 members, represents every state and territory in
the Nation, and 2,500 members represent 100 countries worldwide; and
WHEREAS, In 1876, there was a general desire to form organized bar
associations, and with the coordination of the Association of the Bar of
the City of New York, an organizing convention was held in Albany that
year and a committee was formed to draft the bylaws of the new statewide
organization; and
WHEREAS, At the 1876 convention, the New York State Bar Association
developed its first mandate which remains today, "to cultivate the
science of jurisprudence; to promote reform in the law; to facilitate
the administration of justice; to elevate the standard of integrity,
honor and courtesy in the legal profession"; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Bar Association initially included 356
members in its first year, which doubled to 800 members by 1892 and
continued to grow to 26,000 members at its 100-year anniversary in 1976;
by 2001, membership reached 70,000 members and peaked at roughly 75,000
members, membership has since declined to today's 55,000 members; and
WHEREAS, Countless leaders in our State and Nation have been members
of the New York State Bar Association throughout its 150-year history,
including United States presidents, New York governors, chief justices
of the United States Supreme Court, chief judges of the United States
Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and chief judges of the New
York Court of Appeals; and
WHEREAS, After its official incorporation by the act of the
Legislature in 1877, the New York State Bar Association was provided a
home at New York State's Old Capitol on State Street in Albany, New
York, and was then moved to the current Capitol building upon its
completion in 1883, where it stayed for 45 years; and
WHEREAS, As the New York State Bar Association grew, it moved into
different office spaces throughout Albany, and in 1969, the association
purchased its current home, "One Elk," which initially consisted of four
townhouses at One, Two, Three, and Four Elk Street; and
WHEREAS, One Elk has undergone historic preservation efforts to
maintain the historic 19th century facades, and architect James Steward
Polshek boldly meshed the historic townhomes with a modern, brutalist
extension behind the original buildings; perfectly placed between the
New York State Capitol building and the New York Court of Appeals, the
space now houses over 90 employees and hosts the 250-member governing
body when they meet in Albany three times a year; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the New York State Bar Association has
influenced the outcome of many local, national, and global issues
ranging from a dispute between Great Britain and Venezuela over a
British Guiana boundary to the debate between codification and common
law; and
WHEREAS, Through careful analysis and reports, the New York State
Bar Association has provided their expertise and skills to weigh in on
issues relating to international affairs, gun violence, wrongful
convictions, solitary confinement, marriage equality, vaccines,
artificial intelligence, and much more; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Bar Association has faced trials
throughout its history, but it has remained steadfast in adapting to
meet the needs of its members, the legal profession, and the public; the
association will continue to expand operations and broaden its outlook
to best fit the needs of present day; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Bar Association has and will always be a
steady voice that provides analysis and guidance on prominent issues,
the debates, decisions, and action of government, and the evolution of
the law and our system of justice; and
WHEREAS, The importance of the New York State Bar Association was
clear 150 years ago at its inception, and that importance remains
constant today; then, as now, the New York State Bar Association remains
a positive force determined to shape a more just society for many years
to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the New York State Bar Association;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the New York State Bar Association.
