Bernard C. Smith :
- Author:
- Smith, Bernard C., 1923-1993.
- Call Number:
- MSS APAP-279 local
- Abstract:
- This collection contains papers from Bernard C. Smith's early career as a State Senator, from 1965-1969. In Series 1, Subject Files, the topics with the largest amount of information are abortion, education (especially special education), medical treatment and penal codes. The Smith Papers contain an abundant amount of Smith's correspondence with his constituents. Researchers who are interested in studying public opinion on issues of abortion, education, medicine, penal law, and environmental protection in the late 1960s will find ample materials in this collection. While there are materials in Series 1 that relate to environmental conservation, there are no materials that directly pertain to the creation of the Adirondack Park Agency or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which were developed after 1969. There are, however, individual subject files that pertain to certain specific conservation issues such as the Conservation Bill of Rights and regulation of game fishing. Series 2, Bills, contains files pertaining to each of the bills that Smith introduced in the State Senate in 1968.
- Historical Note:
- Bernard C. Smith was born in Barnesboro, Pennsylvania in 1923. World War II interrupted his studies at Cornell University and during the war he served as a lieutenant and platoon commander of a tank battalion in the Pacific Theatre. When Smith returned home he continued his studies at Cornell where he majored in government and law. He subsequently earned his bachelor of arts degree and a law degree. He practiced law for 44 years, in both private practice and the public sector. From 1951-1958 he served as a New York State Assistant District Attorney, obtaining the title of Chief Assistant by 1958. He served as District Attorney of Suffolk County from 1962-1965. In 1965 voters of the 2nd District (part of Suffolk County), elected Smith, a Republican, to represent them in the New York State Senate. During his early years as a State Senator Smith focused on the debate surrounding the question of whether or not to legalize abortion in New York, on creating legislation that would help provide better educational services for mentally handicapped students, and for revising and updating penal codes and laws in an attempt to deal with crime in the state. Smith also began to introduce legislation to protect the environment, which became the main focus of his work in later years. By the end of his Senate career in 1978, Smith had chaired the Conservation Committee and helped to found the Adirondack Park Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. From 1978-1990 Smith served as the commissioner of the State Investigation Committee. Smith was married to the former Elizabeth Reynolds for 44 years and they had five children. In 1993 at the age of 70, Smith passed away from an inoperable brain tumor.
- Physical Description:
- 10.4 cu ft
- Access Terms:
- Access to the collection is unrestricted.
- Notes:
- Bernard C. Smith Papers 1963-1969. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York.
- Subjects:
- Abortion New York (State), Abortion New York (State) Public opinion, Conservation of natural resources New York (State), Criminal law New York (State), Education New York (State), Medicaid New York (State), Mental health New York (State), Intellectual disability New York (State), Special education Law and legislation New York (State), Special education New York (State), Abortion, Abortion Public opinion, Conservation of natural resources, Criminal law, Education, Medicaid, Mental health, Intellectual disability, Politics and government, Special education, and Special education Law and legislation
- Genres/Forms:
- Bills (legislative records) aat, Legislative records. aat, Clippings. aat, Correspondence. aat, Files by subject. aat, Official reports. aat, and Photographs. aat
- Names:
- Smith, Bernard C., 1923-1993
- Corporate Names:
- New York (State). Legislature. Senate, New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Committee on Environmental Conservation and Recreation, New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Committee on Penal Institutions, New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Standing Committee on Insurance, New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Committee on Finance, New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Education Committee, New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Standing Committee on Codes, New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Standing Committee on Banks, New York (State). Legislature. Senate, New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Committee on Environmental Conservation and Recreation, New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Committee on Finance, New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Education Committee, New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Standing Committee on Banks, New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Standing Committee on Codes, and New York (State). Legislature. Senate. Standing Committee on Insurance
- Geographic Terms:
- New York (State) Politics and government and New York (State)
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