Bill Text: NY J01442 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourning the death of Camille Brandon, a trailblazer for women in politics, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and distinguished member of her community

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-01-09 - ADOPTED [J01442 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01442-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1442

BY: Senator KENNEDY

        MOURNING   the   death   of   Camille  Brandon,  a
        trailblazer for women  in  politics,  devoted  wife,
        mother  and grandmother, and distinguished member of
        her community

  WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to  better
the  quality of life in our community and have had a measurable positive
impact on the lives of its  residents;  Camille  Brandon  was  one  such
individual; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  with  profound  sorrow  and  deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the passing  of  Camille  Brandon,  noting  the
significance of her purposeful life and accomplishments; and

  WHEREAS,  Camille  Brandon of Cheektowaga, New York, died on Monday,
October 23, 2023, at the age of 79; and

  WHEREAS,  An  expert  in  state  government  and  politics  with   a
particular  focus  on  Upstate  New  York, Camille Brandon served as the
Western New York Office Director for O'Donnell & Associates,  where  she
offered  her  clients  vital  insights  from a lifetime of experience in
direct engagement with elected officials and community leaders, as  well
as an insider's knowledge of how to achieve results; and

  WHEREAS, Among her many successes, Camille Brandon was most proud of
helping  to  save  a local social, health and human services provider in
danger  of  closing;  she  worked  diligently  to  coordinate  different
branches of government and coordinate community engagement with families
and neighbors to keep the provider's door open; and

  WHEREAS,  Camille  Brandon  played  an  integral part in legislation
creating the Women's Suffrage Centennial  Commission  and  continued  to
work with New York State to ensure the Commission's success; and

  WHEREAS,   Furthermore,  she  was  instrumental  in  the  successful
completion of projects as diverse as the new Albright-Knox-Gundlach  Art
Gallery  (AKG), the Strong Museum in Rochester, the Buffalo Zoo, and the
new splash pads in Cheektowaga; and

  WHEREAS,  With  a  steadfast  and  unwavering  commitment   to   her
community,   Camille  Brandon  held  several  positions  in  government,
including serving as Deputy  County  Clerk  under  (former  Congressman)
Chris  Jacobs  and  (now  Governor) Kathy Hochul; she also worked in the
Administration of Erie County Executive Dennis T. Gorski; and

  WHEREAS, Camille Brandon  also  gave  tirelessly  of  her  time  and
energies  to the Buffalo City Court system, as well as several law firms
in the private sector; prior to  joining  O'Donnell  &  Associates,  she
spent a decade solving problems for one of New York's largest government
affairs firms; and

  WHEREAS,  In  addition to her considerable public sector experience,
Camille Brandon was involved in many professional associations and local
community organizations; she was a member  of  several  nonprofits,  and
served  as  Vice President of the Pulaski Association at the time of her
death;  she  previously  chaired  the  Cheektowaga  Youth  Services  and
Citizens Police Advisory Boards  and  sat  on  the  board  of  the  YWCA
Institute for Public Leadership Planning; and

  WHEREAS,  Throughout her lifetime of public service, Camille Brandon
was an integral part of several national, state and local campaigns, and
was an influential figure in Erie County politics for decades; and

  WHEREAS, Born to Herman and  Carmela  Lafferty  on  March  4,  1944,
Camille  Brandon  had a smile that lit up a room and a way of making all
of those with whom she came in contact feel good about  themselves;  she
was  full of life and everything she did, she did with determination and
beauty; and

  WHEREAS, Camille Brandon is  survived  by  her  husband,  Robert  J.
Brandon;  two children, Craig (Sara) Brandon and Heather (James) Sondel;
two grandchildren, Will Brandon and Peter Sondel; and a  sister,  Pamela
(Allen Andrukat) Lafferty; and

  WHEREAS,  Camille  Brandon's  infinite  selflessness and benevolence
will shine on through her family's vivid and happy memories; her insight
and strength will forever serve as a beacon of love, light and  hope  to
the countless lives she touched; and

  WHEREAS,  Armed  with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Camille Brandon leaves  behind  a  legacy  which  will  long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
who  were  privileged to have known and loved such an amazing woman; she
will be deeply missed and truly merits  the  grateful  tribute  of  this
Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn  the  death  of  Camille  Brandon,  and  to  express  its  deepest
condolences to her family; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Camille Brandon.