Res. No. 223
IN MEMORIAM - ROBERT J. DRYFOOS
By the Entire Council
Whereas, The New York City Council has learned with profound sorrow of the passing of former Council Member Robert Jerry Dryfoos, on March 2nd, 2006, at the age of 63, from a brain hemorrhage, at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center; and
Whereas, Robert "Bob" Dyrfoos, was a public official, who made an extraordinary difference in the quality of life for all New Yorkers; and
Whereas, Bob Dryfoos was born on Aug. 11, 1942, graduated from Marietta College in Ohio and went on to receive a law degree from New York University and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1968; and
Whereas, Bob Dryfoos entered government in 1975 as chief counsel to Lt. Gov. Mary Anne Krupsak; and
Whereas, Bob Dryfoos played a critical role in the fight to save Radio City Music Hall from demolition and the Hall's interior was designated a city landmark in 1978; and
Whereas, Bob Dryfoos coordinated with public television stations to promote and develop programming like "Live From Lincoln Center"; and
Whereas, From 1978 to 1980, he was a lawyer for the State Assembly and advised its Housing Committee; and
Whereas, In November 1980, he secured victory in a special election to complete the term of Manhattan Council Member Jane B. Trichter, who had resigned from the Council; and
Whereas, Bob Dryfoos is perhaps most recognized for a decisive vote he cast on Jan. 8, 1986, opposing his Manhattan colleagues to support Peter F. Vallone, a Queens Democrat, as leader of the New York City Council; and
Whereas, Former Council Speaker Vallone described his actions as a "profile in courage
up until this guy, the votes only went according to what the county leaders said
this was a big, big break from what had transpired on the City Council up until that time"; and
Whereas, In 1999, years after Bob Dryfoos chose not to seek re-election and his political career concluded, he founded a lobbying firm called the Dryfoos Group; and
Whereas, He worked for after-school programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and the New York Junior Tennis League and helped the Center for Educational Innovation-Public Education Association, a nonprofit organization, secure city money to help low-income students prepare for high-school entrance exams and to improve social studies instruction; and
Whereas, Bob Dryfoos is survived by his companion Susan Dymond as well as her two sons and two grandchildren; and
Whereas, Through his passion, service, and example, former Council Member Robert Dryfoos was a man of enthusiasm, devotion, and courage; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York celebrates the life and mourns the passing of Robert J. Dryfoos, extends its deepest sympathies to his family and friends and adjourns today in honor of his memory and service to New York City.