It was 13 years ago, May 29, when Wiley Dobbs passed away . Shortly after we formed the Coalition of Fathers and Families NY, Inc. (FaFNY) I, as President then, began giving out the Wiley Dobbs Volunteer of the Year Award. Wiley fought for our freedom in WWII as an air crew member on B-17’s over Germany and retired from employment with NYS which I learned from his obituary.
What I did know personally about Wiley was that he was a tireless parental rights advocate. Before social media, the internet, and even email, communication was in written form on paper which had to be delivered by some means. To convey the importance of both parents to children Wiley purchased on his own, every month, 220 copies of the Children’s Rights Council monthly magazine and he would personally hand deliver them to the legislature and Governors Office. This was in addition to him writing short hand written letters mailed to elected representatives on a consistent basis.
When I picked up the duties of the Legislative Coordinator with FaFNY I followed his example and would regularly go to the state capitol and walk the 9 floors of the Legislative Office Building, Capitol Building, and Executive Chamber and deliver information to every legislator and the Governors Office. I wrote letters to legislative leaders and authored memo’s in support and opposition to legislation based on the position of FaFNY and its members. I also used fax machines to deliver them until email became available and I started using that medium. All this was in addition to phone calls and meeting face to face with policy makers in all 3 branches of government.
I followed Wiley’s lead in working tirelessly to foster change. Now old myself, retired, with 2 replaced knees, my days of walking the legislature are done. I still author an occasional piece, such as this one, for NY MAN. I include my comments on Wiley’s Obituary below with the hope that perhaps someone will be inspired to take up the call and lobby for change. And should you find yourself wandering the halls of government in Albany, stop and listen for a moment and hear the footsteps of those who went before you, knowing you are in good company.
James H. Hays, Lt. (Ret) NYS EnCon Police
Old civil rights activists never die, they just fade away. And so it is with Wiley, for the FaFNY volunteer of the year award is named after him. For many years Wiley stepped up and carried on the fight for parental civil rights. Many a time he would show up at a parents rights meeting with a hand written letter in his hand, sent to the Governor or some such other official and their reply, “Just write them a short letter by hand” he would say. I also remember him for his purchasing of the Children’s Rights Council newsletter for the entire NYS Legislature, over 220 copies, and delivering them himself, walking the halls of the Legislative Office Building and stopping at each office to deliver and chat. When his legs weakened with age he still would purchase them for others to deliver. He was also not afraid to cut a check to do good, contributing to the first Parental Civil Rights PAC in NY, always working in any way to help others. Do a little here, donate a little there, and keep doing it year after year.
That is why the FaFNY Volunteer of the year award was named after Wiley. He sought not personal gain nor even recognition for the good that he did, He simply set about trying to correct the injustices of society by doing whatever he could. This honest advocacy was planted like a seed into others, and today many carry on the fight for justice growing from his contributions.
As time went by Wiley didn’t attend meetings or walk the halls of the LOB as age got the better of him. Many today would not even recognize his name, the old advocate fading away.
In closing here I would ask that all who read this take a minute and write a hand written note to the Governor or some such other official advocating for a civil rights for individuals. And should you be one of the few who takes the time to walk the halls of government advocating for others, stop and listen for a moment for you will hear the foot steps of a Great American walking with you and recognize that you are in good company.
In memory of a friend and mentor,
Mr. James H. Hays, (former) President and founder of FaFNY.org and FaFNY-PAC, a life long civil rights activist.
Jim Hays
August 02, 2007 | Ballston Spa, NY