Assemblyman William B. Hoyt, III 144th Assembly District
Born and raised in Buffalo's west side, William B. (Sam) Hoyt, III proudly declares that he has "never strayed more than two blocks from Elmwood Avenue." Having grown up in a family committed to the ideals of public service and progressive community cha nge, Sam has represented the distinct neighborhoods of Buffalo's Lower West Side, Black Rock-Riverside, and portions of North Buffalo, Parkside, and the City's University District, as well as the town of Grand Island, since May 6, 1992.
A graduate of Buffalo's Park School, Sam holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the State University College at Buffalo. Prior to entering elected office, Sam had served as western New York regional director for Senator Daniel P. Moyn ihan. He is also former director of marketing and promotions for Buffalo Bisons Baseball.
Currently, Sam's Assembly assignments include the Committees for Transportation; Energy; Children and Families; Tourism, Arts and Sports Development; and Alcoholicsm and Drug Abause; as well as memberships on the Assembly Task Force on Women's Issues and the Office of State-Federal Relations; and honorary membership on the Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force. As a member of the National Conference of State Legislatures, Sam represents the Assembly on he Science, Energy, and Environmental Resources Committee.
Early in 1993, Sam was appointed to chair the Assembly Subcommittee on High Speed Rail and Magnetic Levitation. In that capacity and as a long-time proponent of alternative modes of surface passenger transportation, he worked closely with Lieutenant Gov ernor Stan Lundine in the creation of a high-speed transportation master plan for New York State.
For many years, Sam has believed strongly in the historic preservation of significant architectural landmarks and has fought for funding on behalf of such western New York treasures as Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece, the Darwin Martin House, H.H. Richa rdson's gothic towers of the Buffalo State Asylum, and the classic Kleinhans Music Hall, designed by Eliel and Eero Saarinen. As one of the Assembly's leading advocates on issues involving women, children, and the elderly, he has sponsored and passed imp ortant legislation on domestic violence, elder abuse, and health clinic access, in addition to supporting educational initiatives to combat teen pregnancy. Sam also considers himself an ardent environmentalist and has introduced or passed measures to pro tect Allegany State Park from logging, to ensure access of navigable waterways, and to block storage of low-level radioactive waste at West Valley.
Assemblymember Hoyt resides on Buffalo's West Ferry Street with his wife, the former Constance Gallivan, and their sons, Clayton and Griffin.
