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Warren M. Anderson, State Senator, was born on October 16, 1915. After attending college, Anderson practiced law in Binghamton, N.Y. He was assistant Broome County attorney, 1940-1942, and served in the army during World War II. He was elected to the New York State Senate as a Republican from the 47th district (Broome County) in 1952 and was re-elected at each subsequent election until 1988.

The Joint Legislative Committee on Industrial and Labor Conditions was created (Concurrent Resolution adopted March 18, 1938) to examine the role of industrial and labor relations in the growth of the state's economy and to recommend improved legislation and state programs. From its inception through the mid-1940's, the committee concentrated on several areas of concern. First, it examined federal and state laws relating to employer-employee relations (collective bargaining, mediation, and arbitration) and federal and state agencies that administered these laws.

The Division of Public Health Education was responsible for publications, exhibits, news releases, audio-visual productions and loans, and annual conferences for state and local health officers. Its earliest audio-visual materials were lantern slides and motion picture films. The Division began to produce radio talks in 1922, as soon as radio technology became available. Between 1933 and 1945, the Division produced a weekly fifteen-minute drama series featuring the Department's Deputy Commissioner in the role of a folksy local health officer.

The 1949 Legislature established (Chapter 355) a five member Classification and Compensation Board to hear appeals from the Classification and Compensation Division (C.C.D.) Director's determinations of position reclassification and salary reallocations requests. The Board replaced and absorbed some of the functions of the former Salary Standardization and Classification boards. The Board was established in the Department of Civil Service (D.C.S.) but was functionally independent of the Department and the Civil Service Commission.

New York State established a program to monitor occupational diseases in 1914 (Chap. 145) when it created a Division of Industrial Hygiene (DIH) in the State Department of Labor (DOL) to aid in the enforcement of labor laws. This Division was almost entirely staffed by technical experts in various fields, and DOL claimed it was the first unit of its kind in the country. Among the new Division's many functions was the investigation of reported cases of occupational disease and the study of types of industries and workers to determine the causes and prevention of occupational disease.

This commission was created by the Legislature under the Laws of 1946, Chapter 353. The governor and the legislature each appointed half of its 30 members. Its mission was to examine higher education throughout New York State and to make recommendations for future needs. The commission met eight times between August 23, 1946 and January 12, 1948.

Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller appointed this commission on February 15, 1963 following recurring charges of corruption in enforcement of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law lodged against several members of the State Liquor Authority. Critics charged, for instance, that although competition for the limited allowed number of liquor store locations was intense, there was no standard for selecting who was chosen to get a site, encouraging favoritism and bribery in the awarding of locations.

A three member Personnel Council was established by executive order on June 4, 1945, to develop greater uniformity in and to promote understanding of personnel policies and practices throughout State government. The Governor appointed to the Council a department administrator, the Administrative Director of the Department of Civil Service (D.C.S.), and an official from the Division of the Budget.

In view of the high level of civilian casualties caused by German bombing in England and fearing that the worst possible could happen in the United States and New York, in 1942 the War Council's Division of Civilian Protection formed the Emergency Medical Service to respond to the medical needs of bombing casualties.

State government efforts to protect fish, wildlife, and marine resources began with the establishment of the Fisheries Commission in 1868. Established to promote the propagation of fish in the State's rivers, lakes, and streams, the Fisheries Commission was combined with the Forest Commission to form the Fisheries, Game, and Forest Commission in 1895. This commission was renamed the Forest, Fish and Game Commission in 1900.