Harry Kraf

Harry Kraf (January 1, 1907 – December 22, 1989) was an American lawyer and politician from New York.

Harry Kraf (bottom row, center)

Life

He was born on January 1, 1907, in New York City. He attended Public School No. 3 and Morris High School, both in the Bronx. He graduated LL.B. from Fordham Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1929.[1] He practiced law in New York City, and entered politics as a Democrat. He married Lena Ruth Rosenfeld on June 10, 1931, in New York City. They had one daughter, the novelist Elaine Kraf and one granddaughter, Milena Altman Kraf.

Kraf was elected in November 1955 to the New York State Senate, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John J. Donovan, Jr., and took his seat in the 170th New York State Legislature at the beginning of the session of 1956. He was re-elected several times and remained in the Senate until 1965, sitting in the 171st, 172nd, 173rd, 174th and 175th New York State Legislatures. In September 1965, after re-apportionment, Kraf ran for re-nomination in the 37th District, but was defeated in the Democratic primary by Archie A. Gorfinkel. In January 1966, Kraf was appointed as counsel to a legislative committee.[2]

He was a member of the New York State Assembly (75th D.) from 1967 to 1972, sitting in the 177th, 178th and 179th New York State Legislatures. In the Assembly, Kraf was known for working on traffic and air pollution problems.[3] He also joined with his Bronx legislative colleagues in 1967 in an attempt to save St. Francis Hospital.[4] In November 1972, he was elected to the New York City Civil Court.[5]

He died on December 22, 1989, in Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.[6]

Sources
  1. New York Red Book (1958–1959; pg. 98)
  2. Ex-Legislators Back on Payroll; Kraf of Bronx Among Those to Get Committee Jobs in The New York Times on January 7, 1966 (subscription required)
  3. "He Wants No Truck With Trucks". Daily News. September 30, 1970. p. BW1. Retrieved July 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Mathieu, Richard (January 29, 1967). "3 Assemblymen Push Bills to Save St. Francis Hospital". Daily News. p. M14. Retrieved July 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Republicans' Appeals Court Victories Not Likely to Signal a Veering to Right in The New York Times on November 9, 1972 (subscription required)
  6. Harry Kraf, Lawmaker From West Bronx, 82 in The New York Times on December 25, 1989
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