Hon. Dale M. Volker ’66
Hon. Dale M. Volker ’66, a Republican, served as a New York State Assemblyman and Senator from 1972 to 2010. He led the Senate’s Western New York delegation and was chair of the Senate Codes Committee, which plays a key role in shaping criminal justice policy for New York State.
About this Interview
Interview Date(s)
October 28, 2011
Occasion
Celebration of his 45th class reunion during Law Reunion weekend
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About the Hon. Dale M. Volker
Dale Volker was born and raised in Lancaster, N.Y. A lifelong resident of the area, he was educated at St. Mary’s Elementary and St. Mary’s High School in Lancaster, attended Niagara University and graduated from Canisius College in 1963. At Canisius he majored in English, minored in history and was sports publicity director.
He was the third generation of the Volker family to hold public office. His grandfather William Volker was a finance officer for the City of Buffalo. His father, Julius, served in the Assembly from 1944 to 1966, rising to become chair of the Codes Committee. He had many lawyers as role models. His grandfather went to Fordham Law School, and his father and godfather were UB Law alumni.
He thought about a teaching career. While preparing for law school in 1963, he worked as a police officer in Depew for seven years. As the years went on, he became a legal adviser to every police department in Western New York.
In 1963, the law school was on Eagle Street. (During his 1L year, Professor Jacob D. Hyman stepped down as dean and was succeeded by William D. Hawkland.) There were 105 students in his class, of whom 80 graduated. There were women, but not much racial diversity. Volker became active in school politics and was elected president of the Student Bar Association. He especially admired Professor J. Andrew Spanogle, who taught the UCC, and regarded Professors Herman Schwartz and Kenneth Joyce as “super people.” At Commencement, he received the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Law School. Among successful classmates were close friends Hon. M. Dolores Denman, David G. Jay and John A. Cirando. He believed that the opportunity to attend UB law school, combined with his Jesuit education, were excellent preparation for his political career.
In 1972, Volker took a leave of absence from the police department and was elected to the Assembly. Three years later, he won election to the state Senate. He had a strong dislike of Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and was “happy to give him a hard time.” Sen. Volker served on the following Committees: Codes (chair); Corporations, Authorities and Commissions; Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections; Ethics; Finance; Judiciary; Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities; and Rules.
While busy with his political responsibilities, he has maintained his law practice throughout his career. He is a recipient of the Edwin F. Jaeckle Award, the highest award the law school and Law Alumni Association can bestow.
