New York State Department of Law Attorney General's Speech Files
Statement on Language
Some content in this finding aid may contain offensive terminology. For more information on why this language is occasionally retained, see: New York State Archives Statement on Harmful Language in Descriptive Resources.
Overview of the Records
Repository
- New York State Archives
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Summary
- This series consists of speeches given by New York State Attorney Generals. Some files include agendas for events and background information regarding the issues and audience of the speeches. Subjects include crime victims' rights, racism, antitrust laws, energy, commerce, environmental issues, bias crime, sentencing guidelines, real estate securities, and other legal, environmental, and civil issues. Also included are transcripts and/or draft copies of speeches and presentations. Records may be restricted.
Title
- Attorney General's speech files
Quantity
- 9.5 cubic feet
Inclusive Dates
Series Number
- 18572
Creator
Arrangement
Chronological.
18572-07: Alphabetical.
Administrative History
The attorney general acts affirmatively to protect the public against unfair business practices, investment fraud and phony charitable solicitations; and to protect the environment and the public health against polluters. The office also defends the civil and human rights of New Yorkers and safeguards the rights of wage earners and injured employees.
It is responsible for protecting prospective purchasers of co-ops and condominiums by reviewing the seller's offering literature. Its authority includes the bringing of criminal prosecutions against persons who fix prices or engage in other anti-competitive activity, or who willfully dump toxic chemicals in violation of law, or who engage in other types of specified criminal activity. It may criminally prosecute cases referred by the governor and agency heads, and it supervises the Organized Crime Task Force. The attorney general's office also serves as bond counsel to a number of the State's public authorities.
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of speeches given over the course of the tenures of Attorneys General Robert Abrams and Eliot Spitzer. Abrams' speeches were delivered to various state and local agencies and associations such as civil liberty unions, bar associations, citizens groups, legislative committees, conferences, and professional groups. The speeches address a variety of subjects, such as rights of crime victims, racism, antitrust laws, energy and commerce, environmental issues, bias crime, sentencing guidelines, real estate securities, and other legal, environmental, and civil issues.
Spitzer's records (accretion 18572-07) contain transcripts and/or draft copies of speeches and presentations given by the attorney general during his tenure (1999-2006). Some of the files also include the agendas for the conferences and events, and memoranda and research information prepared by staff providing background information regarding the issues and audience of the speeches. The date, location, and audience for some, but not all, speeches are provided.
Other Finding Aids
18572-94: Overall index at beginning of records; container list available at repository.
18572-95: Volume list available at repository.
Access Restrictions
18572-07: Designated records may contain information that is exempt from disclosure pursuant to state or federal statute or common law. Requests for access to designated records are reviewed by staff of the State Archives and the Office of the Attorney General (Dept. of Law). In certain circumstances, designated records or portions of records may be withheld.
Access Terms
Personal Name(s)
Corporate Name(s)
Geographic Name(s)
Subject(s)
- Finance, Public--New York (State)
- Consumer protection
- Abortion--Law and legislation--New York (State)
- Environmental policy--New York (State)
- Crime--New York (State)
- Political ethics
- Attorneys general--New York (State)
- Energy policy--New York (State)
- Speeches, addresses, etc.
- Civil rights--New York (State)