Constitutional Conventions in New York: Past, Present, and Future

New York City Bar Association

This program looked back at the history of our NYS Constitution from 1777 to the present, focusing on the successes and failures of the process of amending the Constitution by the calling of Constitutional Conventions. In studying lessons learned from this history — an important lesson in public civics — we will better understand the value of the opportunity to convene a 2017 Constitutional Convention.

PROGRAM

WELCOME
Hon. Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick, Chair of the Board, Historical Society of the New York Courts

OPENING REMARKS
Hon. Janet DiFiore, NYS Chief Judge

NYS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS: BACK TO THE FUTURE
Prof. Peter J. Galie, Prof. Emeritus and Former Chair of Political Science Dept. at Canisius College

PANEL I: 1967 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Michael J. Del Giudice, Chief of Staff, Governor Mario Cuomo
Henrik N. Dullea, Ph.D., Director of State Operations, Governor Mario Cuomo and VP Emeritus, Cornell University
Ambassador William J. vanden Heuvel, Founder & Chair Emeritus, Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park
Moderator: Henry M. Greenberg, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Historical Society of the New York Courts Trustee

PANEL II: POTENTIAL REFORMS TO THE JUDICIARY ARTICLE
Marc Bloustein, Deputy Counsel, Office of Court Administration
Hon. Alan D. Scheinkman, Administrative Judge, 9th Judicial District
Hon. Jeanette Ruiz, Administrative Judge, NYC Family Court
Carey Dunne, General Counsel, NY County DA’s Office
Moderator: Stephen P. Younger, Partner, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP and Historical Society of the New York Courts Trustee

Watch the Program Video