A tribute to Hon. George Bundy Smith: a friend and colleague.

• Author: Wesley, Richard C.
• Position: New York Court of Appeals' Senior Associate Judge - Testimonial

Dean Treanor, former and present colleagues, friends and family of Judge Smith, and our honoree, Judge George Bundy Smith. It is a distinct honor and pleasure to share a few thoughts with you about my friend, George Smith. I suspect that I have been given this assignment as a result of some lobbying by the Chief Judge for she, like all great Chief Judges, is always aware of what goes on in her court. Indeed, she has been a witness to some of the George and Dick escapades that I hope will some day be a part of the lore of Eagle Street, much like the continuing search for Ben Cardoza's socks. Judith was there on that fateful morning in Washington Park when George, responding to my challenge that I would thrash him in a game of tennis, cleaned my clock. George, you never gloated over that victory and I am grateful for it. I think it plain that my task here tonight is to give a personal perspective on George Smith--friend and colleague.

I remember well the first time I met George Smith. On January 1, 1995, my wife and I traveled to Albany to participate in the Inaugural Ceremonies for our newly-elected Attorney General Dennis Vacco. I was an associate justice of the Appellate Division Fourth Department at the time. George and Alene Smith made a similar journey that day as George had been asked to administer the oath of office to Comptroller-elect Carl McCall. As luck would have it, the Smiths and the Wesleys found themselves seated next to each other on the dais that morning. I confess I was a bit worked up. The convention center was full--it was a day of celebration. Good Lord even Howard Stern was up on the dais with us. As is often the case when I get a bit excited, I started to talk--a common trait for country folk. Here is a verbatim transcript of my first conversation with George Bundy Smith:

Judge Wesley: "Judge Smith my name is Dick Wesley. I sit on the Fourth Department. Isn't this just fabulous? It is so exciting to see all these people here to celebrate the changing of the guard? Don't you agree Judge Smith?"

Judge Smith: (quietly) "Yes."

Judge Wesley: "I see you are going to swear in Comptroller McCall--do you know him?"

Judge Smith: (still quietly) "Yes."

Judge Wesley: (now breathless) "Well I think it is just glorious. I see your colleagues are all gathered down in front. My wasn't it cold this morning coming in to the hall?"

Judge Smith: "Yes, it was."

I turned to Kathy Wesley, convinced that I had doomed all future Wesley...