Eugene Levy (politician) explained

State Senate:New York State
District:38th
Term Start:January 1985
Term End:July 12, 1990
Preceded:Linda Winikow
Succeeded:Joseph Holland
Order2:Member of the New York State Assembly from the 93rd District
Term Start2:January 1983
Term End2:December 1984
Order3:Member of the New York State Assembly from the 95th District
Term Start3:January 1973
Term End3:December 1982
Order4:Member of the New York State Assembly from the 94th District
Term Start4:January 1969
Term End4:December 1972
Birth Date:1 December 1926
Birth Place:New York City, New York, US
Death Place:Valhalla, New York, US
Party:Republican

Eugene Levy (December 1, 1926 – July 12, 1990) was a member of the New York State Senate for the 38th District covering all of Rockland County and parts of Orange County, New York. He was elected to the New York State Senate in 1984, where he remained for three terms.

During his undefeated political career, Levy was elected into office 13 times. Before he was elected to the New York State Senate, Levy was twice elected as councilman of the town of Ramapo, New York.[1] He held this position from 1964 to 1968. He then served in the New York State Assembly from 1969 until 1984.

Levy died of leukemia in July 1990. At the time of his death, he had been elected to the New York State Senate three times, and he was getting ready to run for a fourth Senate term.

Early life

Levy was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 1, 1926. He graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1944. During his high school career, Levy played basketball and football, and ran track.[2] [3] After high school, Levy served for two years in the Navy Medical Corps; he returned to New York in 1946 after receiving an honorable discharge.[4]

Levy attended NYU and Queens College, but left to help with the family business, the Plaza Restaurant in Spring Valley, New York.[3]

Levy married Geraldine (Schack) Levy in 1950. They had two children, William Levy and Felicia Alice Levy.[3] The family home is located in Montebello (formerly Suffern), New York.

Political career

In 1963, Levy was working in the family owned restaurant when he was approached to run for the position of Councilman of the town of Ramapo, New York.[3] He ran against incumbent Democratic Councilman James Izzo, and won by more than 1,500 votes.[5] After his first term as Councilman, Levy successfully ran for re-election in 1967. Levy held the position until he was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1968 defeating incumbent Democrat Joseph St. Lawrence.[3]

Levy was a politically moderate Republican who described himself as "pro-choice and pro-death penalty".[3] Throughout his career, Levy was involved in issues related to consumer protection, education, mental health, and the environment.[6]

New York State Assembly

Levy, a Republican in a heavily Democratic county, ran successfully for State Assembly in 1968. Levy was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1969 to 1984, sitting in the 178th, 179th, 180th, 181st, 182nd, 183rd, 184th and 185th New York State Legislatures. During his time as Assemblyman, he became the Republican minority assistant whip.[3] In August 1973, Governor Nelson Rockefeller appointed Levy to the Temporary State Commission on Living Costs and the Economy.

Levy served on several committees during his time in the New York State Assembly:

During his time in the New York State Assembly, Levy helped pass legislation requiring that all New York counties employ full-time district attorneys. This legislation also established a minimum salary for district attorneys in counties with a population over 100,000 and lengthened the term of office for district attorneys in all counties.[7]

In 1970, Levy helped secure funding for the construction of interchange 14B on the New York State Thruway on Airmont Road in Ramapo.[8]

In 1971, Levy helped defeat a bill that would have allowed the Department of Health to close Haverstraw Rehabilitation Hospital.[9] The hospital was later renamed Helen Hayes Hospital,[10] in honor of actress and philanthropist Helen Hayes MacArthur, the "First Lady of American Theater".

New York State Senate

Levy was elected to the New York State Senate in 1984. He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1985 until his death in 1990, sitting in the 186th, 187th and 188th New York State Legislatures. He successfully sponsored and cosponsored more than 280 pieces of legislation,[3] including several bills that protected consumers,[11] [12] children,[13] [14] and the elderly.[15] Levy sponsored legislation that raised the minimum age for correctional officers in New York from 18 to 21. He also sponsored legislation to protect consumers from "embarrassing" and "threatening" debt collection practices.[16]

Levy sponsored several bills related to mental health, including bills to establish new state hospitals for the mentally ill; to develop comprehensive requirements for staffing inpatient wards at adult psychiatric centers; bills to protect patient confidentiality and patients' rights; housing programs for homeless; AIDS care; education for handicapped children.[17]

The committees that Levy served on during his time in the New York State Senate included consumer protection; banks; commerce; economic development and small business; education; environmental conservation; mental hygiene; tourism; recreation and sports; and transportation. He was also a member of a Special Task Force on Drunk Driving.

In 1988, Levy and 17 other GOP senators from New York officially endorsed George H. W. Bush for the GOP presidential nomination.[18]

Community Involvement

Levy was especially involved in consumer protection, education, people with disabilities, and environmental issues. He was also active in issues related to veterans' affairs.[19] [20]

In 1969, Levy helped found Camp Venture, Rockland County's first day camp for mentally handicapped children. Levy helped the camp obtain matching funds from the State Department of Mental Hygiene.[21]

In 1983, after the death of his 24-year-old daughter Felicia in an automobile accident, Levy contributed funds donated in her memory to help with the construction of a new dialysis center at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, New York. The waiting room at the facility is named for Felicia. A portrait of Felicia hangs in the waiting room.[22]

Levy helped raise funds to establish the JCC Rockland, which opened in 1988.[23]

Levy held a variety of positions and memberships in community organizations throughout his political career:[3]

During his political career, Levy received the following awards and recognition related to the causes he supported:

At the time of his death, Levy had been nominated by the West Hudson District Branch of the American Psychological Association for the APA's Jacob Javits Public Service Award for his involvement in mental health issues.[24]

Death

Levy died of leukemia in the Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla, NY, on July 12, 1990. At the time of his death, Levy was getting ready to run for a fourth state senate term.

More than 2,000 mourners[25] came to Levy's funeral service at Temple Beth-El in Spring valley, New York.[26] During the service, a group of Clarkstown police officers gave a final salute, and a color guard of Jewish war veterans placed an American flag on Levy's casket.[27] Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Rockland Pipe and Drum Corps played bagpipes as they escorted the senator's motorcade from the temple.[28]

The Levy family received a condolence letter from then-President George H. W. Bush.[3]

Mario Cuomo, the Governor of New York, called Levy a "great public servant" and noted Levy's "efforts on behalf of those challenged with disabilities."[29]

On July 13, 1990, flags on all Rockland municipal buildings were flown at half-staff in memory of Levy.[29] On the same day, US Representative Benjamin Gilman (R-NY) spoke to the House of Representatives in Washington, DC, about Levy's death, calling Levy a "humanitarian" and an "outstanding public servant".[30]

On March 6, 1991, the New York State Assembly adopted Legislative Resolution 409, "Commemorating the Life and Achievements of the Honorable Eugene Levy".[31]

Levy was also honored by the New York State Senate. On March 12, 1991, the New York State Senate adopted Legislative Resolution 523 in Levy's honor.[32]

Legacy

LandmarksSeveral landmarks and buildings throughout Rockland County are named in honor of Levy, including:

Scholarships

After Levy's death, several scholarships were established in his name, including:

Posthumous Honors

On July 30, 1990, the senator's home village of Montebello, New York, named December 1, Levy's birthday, as "Gene Levy Day".[47]

Rockland Independent Living Center, Inc. gives an annual award called The Senator Eugene Levy Independent Living Award. The award is given each year to "an individual who advocates on behalf of persons with disabilities and promotes the philosophy of independent living".[53]

The library at Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, created a living memorial for Levy with funds donated in his memory. The funds were used to purchase a volume of children's Bible stories.[54]

The New York Library Association passed a resolution honoring Levy's contributions at its October 1990 conference.[55]

On February 7, 1991, Meals on Wheels of Rockland County dedicated the Eugene Levy Memorial Room at its facility in Nanuet, New York.[56]

Levy was posthumously awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Dominican College (New York) on May 19, 1991.[57]

In 1991, a benefit was held for Levy by the Helen Hayes Tappan Zee Playhouse in Nyack, New York. During the benefit, Levy's widow, Geraldine Levy, was presented with a seat plaque that was to be installed in the theater.[58]

In 1992, the PFC Frederick Hecht Post No. 425 of the Jewish War Veterans established the Eugene Levy Humanitarian Award.[59]

The Rockland Symphony Orchestra performed a concert in memory of Levy on March 29, 1992. New York composer Arthur Cunningham wrote a piece titled "Suncatcher" for the occasion.[60]

In 1994, The Senator Eugene Levy Memorial Fund of the Leukemia Society of America was established and cosponsored by Rockland radio station WRKL and the Clarkstown South High School Future Business Leaders of America. To launch the fund, the two groups held a fundraiser called "Pennies for Patients." The goal of the fundraiser was to collect one million pennies during the month of April 1994.[61]

On April 18, 2004, Levy was posthumously inducted into the Association for Retarded Children (ARC) of Rockland's 50th Anniversary Hall of Fame, for his support and involvement in causes related to people with disabilities.[62] [63] Certificates of Merit from the New York Senate, New York State Assembly and the Town of Ramapo, Rockland County accompanied this honor.

Notes and References

  1. News: Knight. Robert. McAlevey, Levy, Slovik Winners in Ramapo. The Journal-News. November 8, 1967.
  2. News: Board Plans Memorial in Honor of Late Senator Levy. Chalk Talk, Volume XXXVII, Number 11. November 14, 1990. .
  3. News: Milliken. Matthew. Eugene Levy's Influence Still Felt. The Rockland Journal News. July 4, 2001.
  4. Book: The New York Red Book, 19th Edition . 1989–90 . New York Legal Publishing Corp, Williams Press, Inc. . Albany, NY . 126.
  5. News: Republicans Sweep Ramapo as Magrath, Levy, Callaghan Win. The Rockland Independent. November 7, 1963.
  6. News: Eugene Levy, 63, Republican Member of New York Senate. 31 May 2012. The New York Times. July 13, 1990.
  7. News: Levy Offers Legislation to Attract County D.A.'s. Nyack Journal News. March 18, 1970.
  8. News: Rocky Gets Thruway Link Bill. Nyack Journal News. March 10, 1970.
  9. News: Haverstraw Rehab Closing Averted. Dateline: Albany From Assemblyman Eugene Levy. August 1971.
  10. http://www.helenhayeshospital.org/about-hhh/history-and-mission/ "History and Mission," Helen Hayes Hospital website
  11. News: Legislation Sought on Lip-Synced Concerts. 31 May 2012. The New York Times. June 3, 1990.
  12. News: Shepard. Judy. Skimming the Fat: A Little Math, Some Knowledge Uncover Hidden Sources. https://archive.today/20130125122750/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-158405568.html. dead. January 25, 2013. 31 May 2012. Albany Times Union. August 9, 1988.
  13. News: Kolbert. Elizabeth. Cuomo Signs Bill Declaring Apple Muffin State's Own. 31 May 2012. The New York Times. August 11, 1987.
  14. News: Breitkopf. David. School Inspection Bill Moves Ahead. The Evening News. September 20, 1987.
  15. News: DePalma. Anthony. Space Dwindling in Mobile Home Parks. 31 May 2012. The New York Times. September 20, 1987.
  16. News: Moskowitz. Johathan. Focus: Senator Eugene Levy — 38th S.D.. Police Federation News. September 1986.
  17. News: Sobel. Robert N., M.D.. Jacob Javits Award Nomination. Synapse: The West Hudson District Branch Newsletter. Syed Abdullah, M.D.. November 1989.
  18. News: 17 GOP Senators Back Bush for '88. Albany Times Union. June 2, 1987.
  19. News: UA Vets Hold National Convention. The Ukrainian Weekly. July 14, 1985.
  20. News: Carroll. Cathy. Memorials Dedicated to Vets Who Served U.S. in Four Wars. The Journal-News. November 12, 1990.
  21. News: Camp Venture Seeking Additional Funds. The Journal-News. July 15, 1969.
  22. News: Webber. Scott E.. New Dialysis Center Offers Patients Hope. The Rockland Review. August 17, 1983.
  23. Web site: Cohen. Marla. Building Community from Y to J. https://archive.today/20130415044026/http://www.jewishrockland.org/page.aspx?id=233358. dead. 15 April 2013. 7 June 2012.
  24. News: Sobel. Robert N., M.D.. From the President's Desk. Synapse: The West Hudson District Branch Newsletter. Syed Abdullah, M.D.. December 1990.
  25. News: Berezansky. William. Thousands Gather to Euologize Levy. The New Jersey Bergen Record. July 16, 1990.
  26. News: Farewell to Our 'Best Friend'. Rockland Review. July 19, 1990.
  27. News: Demarest. William. Good-Bye, Sen. Levy. The Journal-News. July 16, 1990.
  28. News: Farewell to our 'Best Friend'. Rockland Review. July 19, 1990.
  29. News: Chang. Stephanie. Sen. Levy Dies. The Journal-News. July 13, 1990. Greg Clary. Gary Pallassino. A1, A10.
  30. Congressional Record, 101st Congress, 2nd Session. 13 July 1990. 136. E2339–2440.
  31. State of New York Legislative Resolution 409. New York Assembly Journal, 214th Session. 6 March 1991. 494.
  32. State of New York Legislative Resolution 523. New York State Journal, 214th Session. 12 March 1991. 140.
  33. http://www.ramapoparks.org/index.php?s=2 Town of Ramapo Parks and Recreation Department
  34. News: Valenti. Denise. He Must Have Been a Special Person. The Journal-News. November 22, 1990.
  35. https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Senator+Levy+Dr,+Montebello,+NY&hl=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=52.372705,119.970703&oq=senator&t=h&hnear=Senator+Levy+Dr,+Montebello,+Rockland,+New+York+10901&z=166 Map of Senator Levy Drive, Montebello, New York.
  36. Web site: Minutes of the Spring Valley Board of Trustees, January 2010. . 2012-05-31 . 2013-03-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130319131710/http://www.villagespringvalley.org/minutes/Trustees/2010/January%2026,%202010.pdf . dead .
  37. It's Now the Senator Eugene Levy Education Center; Got it?. Chalk Talk: A Weekly Newsletter for Employees of the East Ramapo Central School District. 30 April 1991. XXXVII. 32.
  38. News: More Levy Honors. The Journal-News. September 4, 1995.
  39. News: Ramapo, Spring Valley Teams to Play for Eugene Levy Trophy. The Journal-News. November 9, 1990.
  40. Web site: "Eugene Levy Fieldhouse," description and photo on Rockland Community College website. . 2012-05-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120227164552/http://www.sunyrockland.edu/community/facility-rental/eugene-levy-fieldhouse/ . 2012-02-27 . dead .
  41. News: Carroll. Cathy. Memorials Dedicated to Vets who Served in U.S. in Four Wars. The Journal-News. November 12, 1990.
  42. 1992 . Plaque beneath tree . The Dewint House. Tappan, New York.
  43. http://www.campventure.org/index.php?/campventure/news_detail/the_greening_of_camp_venture/ Photo of Eugene Levy building on Camp Venture website
  44. News: Demarest. William. Venture Site Named for Levy's Daughter. The Journal-News. September 10, 1984.
  45. Web site: List of residences on the Jawonio website . 2012-05-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100628033014/http://www.jawonio.org/page.cfm?page=25 . 2010-06-28 . dead .
  46. News: Dedication Program of the New Nanuet Public Library. October 14, 1990.
  47. News: Proposal for Levy Memorial to be Discussed. Rockland Journal News. July 30, 1990.
  48. News: Commencement Exercises, East Ramapo Central School District, Spring Valley High School, Spring Valley, New York. June 23, 1991.
  49. Web site: List of Senator Eugene Levy Memorial Scholarship award winners . 2012-05-31 . 2013-10-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131020075454/http://www.montebellocivic.org/levy.php . dead .
  50. Web site: List of Dominican College scholarships and grants . 2012-05-31 . 2010-12-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101215084739/http://dc.edu/catalog/dominican-college-scholarships-and-grants.htm . dead .
  51. Web site: List of JCC Rockland scholarships funds . 2012-05-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110430154656/http://www.jccrockland.org/support_the_jcc.htm . 2011-04-30 . dead .
  52. News: Three Win Levy Scholarships. Our Town. May 3, 1978.
  53. News: Traum. Robin. Nonprofit Celebrates 21st Anniversary of ADA with Awards on Friday. Pearl River Patch. July 28, 2011.
  54. 1991 . plaque on frontispiece . The Church of the Presentation. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
  55. New York Library Association. New York State Archive Manuscripts, Box 205-207. October 1990.
  56. News: S.T.A.R. Social Adult Day Program in the Eugene Levy Memorial Room. Dedication Program, Meals on Wheels of Rockland County. February 7, 1991.
  57. News: Dominican College Scholarship Recognition Dinner. October 18, 2001.
  58. News: A Benefit Recalls Sen. Levy's Love of Rockland Art. The Journal-News. February 21, 1991.
  59. News: Madrigal. Janet. Lukens Receives Gene Levy Humanitarian Award. Venture Voice News. March 23, 1992.
  60. News: Fortieth Anniversary Concert Season, Rockland Symphony Orchestra Concert in Memory of the Late Senator Eugene Levy. March 29, 1992.
  61. News: Pennies for Patients. The Journal-News. 1994.
  62. News: Kaplan. Karyl. ARC is Most Grateful. The Journal News. May 15, 2004.
  63. News: Weiner. Randi. ARC of Rockland to Mark 50 Years. The Journal News. May 15, 2004.