Res. No. 1079
Resolution commemorating the life and achievements of Sidney Leviss, a former Queens Borough President and New York Supreme Court Justice and an exemplary public servant.
By Council Members Comrie, Gennaro, Gonzalez, Nelson, Sanders Jr., Weprin, White Jr., Vallone Jr. and Sears
Whereas, Sidney Leviss, a former Queens Borough President and New York Supreme Court Justice, was born in Flushing, New York on July 21, 1917; and
Whereas, Sidney Leviss attended New York University and New York University’s School of Law, graduating from the School of Law in 1941; and
Whereas, Sidney Leviss was admitted to the New York State Bar in January 1942; and
Whereas, After joining the New York State Bar, Sidney Leviss enlisted in the Army Air Corp to fight in World War II; and
Whereas, During his military career, he rose to the rank of Captain and received the World War II Victory Medal; and
Whereas, After his service in World War II, Sidney Leviss was appointed to the position of Assistant District Attorney by District Attorney T. Vincent Quinn; and
Whereas, Sidney Leviss later became Assistant Commissioner in Queens Borough Works, and was subsequently appointed Queens Deputy Borough President by then Borough President, Mario Cariello; and
Whereas, In 1969, Sidney Leviss was elected as Queens Borough President and served until 1971; and
Whereas, Sidney Leviss left the Queens Borough Presidency to take a seat as a Justice for the Supreme Court of New York State, on which he served for more than 20 years; and
Whereas, Upon his retirement from the bench at age 76, Sidney Leviss was appointed a Judicial Hearing Officer of the State Supreme Court, and served until his death; and
Whereas, Sidney Leviss died on September 7, 2007, at the age of 90; and
Whereas, Sidney Leviss’ obituary in the September 9, 2007 edition of The New York Times points out that he was a strong voice for Queens County, always fighting City Hall for more money, services and programs and that his contributions were broad and significant; and
Whereas, The same obituary indicates that during his time as a Justice on the Supreme Court of New York State, Sidney Leviss gained a superb reputation and was admired by both members of the Bench and Bar; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York commemorates the life and achievements of Sidney Leviss, a former Queens Borough President and New York Supreme Court Justice and an exemplary public servant.
LS# 3933
S.O.
10/10/07
12:47pm