Vincent Graber is a member of the Firm’s Government Relations Department. Prior to joining Hinman Straub, Mr. Graber was the Speaker Pro-Tem of the New York State Assembly.

During his legislative career, Mr. Graber served as the Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, 1979-1988; Vice-Chair of the Legislative Commission on Critical Transportation Choices, 1979-1988; Chair, Sub-Committee on Railroads, 1975-1978; Member, National Conference of State Legislatures, Member, Eastern Region Council of State Governments; Chair, Council of State Governments (National) Transportation Positive Guidance Committee. In 1985, United States Department of Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole appointed Mr. Graber a member of the National Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatory Review Panel.

Laws sponsored by Mr. Graber have helped New York become the leading state in the nation in reducing highway deaths and injuries caused by drinking and driving. In 1984, he authored the present law requiring the use of seat belts in vehicles required to be equipped with same. This measure was the first such statute to be enacted in the United States. It was the continuation of the Assemblyman's interest in this area that led to the successful sponsoring of a similar law relative to child restraints in passenger vehicles. The Assemblyman was successful in 1988 in sponsoring the law which requires New York State to conduct the first bridge inspection program in the nation.

The recipient of numerous awards and citations from various professional and civic associations, Mr. Graber was honored in 1978 by the Police Conference of New York for his concern for the safety and well being of the people of New York State. He was named Legislator of the Year in 1977 and 1978 by the Erie County Shooters Committee on Political Education; the Western New York Police Association honored Mr. Graber in 1979 for his efforts on behalf of Police Officers; and the Eric County Conservative Party honored him with its 1983 Distinguished Service Award for his many contributions to the people of Western New York. The American Association for Automotive Medicine presented the Assemblyman with its 1984 Award of Merit, and the New York State Association of Traffic Safety Boards honored Mr. Graber with its Ray Thorp Memorial Award for outstanding service to benefit traffic safety in New York State.

Also in 1984 The Assemblyman was praised by the Highway Users Conference of Western New York for his statesmanship in obtaining the passage of his seat belt legislation and the National Highway Users Federation for Safety and Mobility presented Mr. Graber with the 1985 Stanley Gustafson Leadership Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the public welfare as sponsor of the nation's first statewide safety belt use law.