Robert Abrams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Abrams
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| 60th Attorney General of New York | |
| In office January 1, 1979 – December 31, 1993 |
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| Governor | Hugh Carey Mario Cuomo |
| Preceded by | Louis Lefkowitz |
| Succeeded by | Oliver Koppell |
| 9th Borough President of The Bronx | |
| In office January 1, 1970 – December 31, 1978 |
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| Preceded by | Herman Badillo |
| Succeeded by | Stanley Simon |
| Member of the New York State Assembly | |
| In office January 1, 1966 – December 31, 1969 |
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| Preceded by | John T. Satriale |
| Succeeded by | Alan Hochberg |
| Constituency | 89th district (1966) 81st district (1967–1969) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 4, 1938 Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Diane Schulder Abrams |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Columbia College New York University |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
Robert Abrams (born July 4, 1938) is an American lawyer and politician. He was the top lawyer for New York State, known as the Attorney General of New York, from 1979 to 1993. He also ran for a seat in the United States Senate in 1992.
Robert Abrams: A Life in Public Service
Early Life and Education
Robert Abrams was born in The Bronx, New York, on July 4, 1938. His parents were Benjamin and Dorothy Abrams. He has one sister named Marlene. Robert went to Columbia College and later studied law at the New York University School of Law.
Starting His Political Journey
Robert Abrams began his career in politics when he was 27 years old. He challenged a local politician in a primary election in September 1965.
Serving in the State Assembly
Abrams was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1966 to 1969. This is a group of elected officials who make laws for New York State.
Leading The Bronx
From 1970 to 1978, Robert Abrams served as the Borough President of the Bronx. He was first elected in 1969 and won re-election easily in 1973 and 1977. As Borough President, he helped lead the Bronx and was part of the New York City Board of Estimate.
He also attended several important political meetings called Democratic National Conventions. At these meetings, he helped choose the party's candidate for president.
New York's Top Lawyer
In 1978, Abrams was elected New York Attorney General. He was the first Democrat to win this job in 40 years. He was re-elected three more times, in 1982, 1986, and 1990.
As Attorney General, Abrams became known for protecting consumers. He worked to stop companies from polluting the environment and fought against fraud. He also worked to prevent discrimination in housing.
During his time as Attorney General, Abrams received many awards. He was chosen by his colleagues as the "Outstanding Attorney General in the Nation." He also received honorary law degrees from several universities.
Running for U.S. Senate
In 1992, Robert Abrams decided to run for the United States Senate. He wanted to challenge the Republican Senator Al D'Amato. Abrams won the Democratic Primary election, beating other candidates.
The election campaign was very competitive. Abrams lost the general election by a small number of votes. After this, he decided to resign from his role as Attorney General on December 31, 1993, even though he had a year left in his term.
After Government Service
After leaving his government job, Abrams joined a law firm as a partner. He continued to be involved in public life in New York.
Helping New York and Beyond
In 1996, the New York University School of Law started a special lecture series in his honor. Each year, a famous public figure gives a speech to encourage students to work in public service.
Robert Abrams has continued to serve New York in many ways.
- In 2005, Mayor Michael Bloomberg asked him to join a commission to review the New York City Charter.
- In 2006, Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer appointed him to a committee on government reform.
- In 2008, Governor David Paterson appointed him to the United Nations Development Corporation Board.
- In 2009, a building in Albany was renamed the Robert Abrams Building for Law and Justice in his honor.
- In 2012, Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed him to investigate how New York utilities responded to Superstorm Sandy. This led to changes in state law.
Supporting the Jewish Community
Abrams was a leader in the Soviet Jewry Movement in the United States. This movement worked to help Jewish people who faced difficulties in the Soviet Union. He attended international meetings to plan strategies for this cause. In 1991, he gave an important speech in Moscow to Jewish community leaders.
Bridging Communities
Abrams also helped resolve a disagreement between the Jewish community and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He helped create programs that brought the two communities together. In 2016, he led a joint delegation to Israel to celebrate a historical event. For his efforts, he received the Thomas L. Kane award in 2022.
In March 2021, Robert Abrams published his memoir, a book about his life in politics, called The Luckiest Guy in the World: My Journey in Politics.
Personal Life
On September 15, 1974, Robert Abrams married Diane Schulder Abrams. Diane is also a lawyer and created the first "Women and the Law" course at an American law school. Robert and Diane have two daughters, Rachel and Becky, and eight grandchildren.
