New York State Assistant Counsel to the Governor Subject and Correspondence Files B2556

New York State Assistant Counsel to the Governor Subject and Correspondence Files

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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

This series consists of correspondence and subject files relating to mental health policy, clemency, the care of people with mental disabilities, the Willowbrook State School investigation, the reorganization of the Department of Mental Hygiene, the Rockland Psychiatric Center investigation, mental health and criminal justice legislation, and a state prison task force. Records include outgoing and some incoming correspondence, reports, draft memorandums, studies, notes and background materials.

Creator:

New York (State). Assistant Counsel to the Governor

Title:

New York State Assistant Counsel to the Governor Subject and correspondence files

Quantity:

18 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:

1975-1979

Series Number:

B2556

Administrative History

Clarence J. Sundram served as the Assistant Counsel to the Governor during Hugh Carey's administration. He was the Executive Chamber's representative to the state's legal defense during the Willowbrook class-action suit, and a member of the Willowbrook Review Committee which was established to oversee compliance with court orders related to that case.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of outgoing correspondence and subject files relating to mental health policy, clemency, the care of people with mental disabilities, the Willowbrook State School investigation, the reorganization of the Department of Mental Hygiene, the Rockland Psychiatric Center investigation, mental health and criminal justice legislation, and a state prison task force. Records include outgoing and some incoming correspondence, reports, draft memorandums, studies, notes and background materials.

Acquisition Information

This series was transferred under records disposition numbers 19355 and 19357.

Custodial History

Mr. Sundram originally served as Assistant Counsel to the Governor 1975-1978 and then became Chairman of the Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled (CQCMD) in 1978. He brought these records with him to CQCMD and then transferred them to the State Archives in 1998. The records were accessioned under series 19355 and 19357 and were later identified as not generated by CQCMD. They were reaccessioned in 2016 as records from the Executive Department.