Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena

Senator B. Ronald Stafford born on June 29, 1935 served his career with the intention to serve others. In his 35 years in office, he has performed with grace, conviction, and a love of the labor, to the benefit of all New Yorkers.

Ronald B. Stafford represented the North Country for a 37-year Senate career which included membership on several committees. He ended his career as chairman of the powerful Finance Committee. Stafford, a Republican, was the first chairman of the Senate’s Higher Education Committee. During his Senate career, he chaired the Senate Finance Committee, Higher Education Committee, Codes Committee, and the Judiciary Committee. In 1974, as Chairman of the Senate’s Higher Education Committee he helped shape and create the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), a landmark program that opened access to college for New Yorkers who would otherwise have been unable to afford opportunities in higher education . He was a protector of the environment through his involvement in Adirondack Park affairs. Stafford was instrumental in bringing the 1980 Olympic Winter Games to Lake Placid, and in 1974 was appointed chairman of the New York State 1980 Olympic Winter Games Commission. He remained a leading figure in the Senate and in NYS politics throughout his career and until his death in 2005.

First, in the 1970’s Ron Stafford was both the architect and key senate leader in the establishment of the state’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) which today provides need-based scholarship support literally to hundreds of thousands of New York State college students. His thinking and his leadership in shaping the state’s approach to making college affordable for students is something we should never, ever forget. Second, Ron took a number of very tough stands as a state senator on matters of basic human rights, and despite heavy criticism from within his own party stood the course. He was a man of courage and conviction, he knew his own mind, and we owe him a deep debt of gratitude here as well.

The University at Albany’s Libraries have acquired a significant addition to its important New York State Modern Political Archive.

Brian Keough, head of the M.E. Grenander Special Collections and Archives, today announced the acquisition of the Ronald B. Stafford Papers, approximately 225 cubic feet of material documenting Mr. Stafford’s 40 years in the New York State Senate and in public life. “This is a significant addition to our collection that includes the personal papers of 41 former members of the New York State Senate and Assembly and 22 former US Congressional members,” says Keough.

Elected to the New York State Senate in 1965 to represent the 45th District, Ronald B. Stafford represented the North Country for a 37-year Senate career which included membership on several committees. He ended his career as chairman of the powerful Finance Committee. Stafford, a Republican, was the first chairman of the Senate’s Higher Education Committee. During his Senate career, he chaired the Senate Finance Committee, Higher Education Committee, Codes Committee, and the Judiciary Committee. In 1974, as Chairman of the Senate’s Higher Education Committee he helped shape and create the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), a landmark program that opened access to college for New Yorkers who would otherwise have been unable to afford opportunities in higher education . He was a protector of the environment through his involvement in Adirondack Park affairs. Stafford was instrumental in bringing the 1980 Olympic Winter Games to Lake Placid, and in 1974 was appointed chairman of the New York State 1980 Olympic Winter Games Commission. He remained a leading figure in the Senate and in NYS politics throughout his career and until his death in 2005.

The University at Albany’s Libraries have acquired Ronald B. Stafford Papers, approximately 225 cubic feet of material documenting Mr. Stafford’s 40 years in the New York State Senate and in public life. The papers consist of correspondence, letters, memorandum, meeting minutes, press releases, legislative memorandum, newsletters, writings, photographs, clippings reprints, and other archival resources. This is a significant addition to the collection that includes the personal papers of 41 former members of the New York State Senate and Assembly and 22 former US Congressional members.