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AMHERST, N.Y. --  U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York William J. Hochul, Jr. will discuss international terrorism and other threats to the country as ������Ƶ College’s Distinguished Leaders Lecture Series speaker at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 20 in the Wick Campus Center’s Alumni Lounge. The event is free and open to the public.

“We are honored to have Mr. Hochul come to ������Ƶ to share his views on imminent international and domestic threats that we face in Western New York and nationwide,” said ������Ƶ President Gary A. Olson. “As one of the nation’s top leaders in prosecuting a range of criminal cases and as a frequent lecturer on his work at the Department of Justice, Bill Hochul has a unique perspective on national security issues that he will bring to our campus.”

Hochul, who served as chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Anti-Terrorism Unit following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, is a recognized expert on the investigation and prosecution of organized and gang-related crime, terrorism, and money laundering offenses. 

“Today’s news stories appear filled with reports of terrorist plots, violence, and drug overdoses,” said Hochul. “While almost everyone owns a computer or cell phone, the access and opportunities of the virtual world simultaneously create vulnerability and susceptibility. My job is to try to keep us safe in today’s ‘worlds’ of continuous threats, both domestic and international.”

During his more than 25 years of service to the U.S. Department of Justice, Hochul has received numerous awards, including the 2003 Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, the highest award presented by the Justice Department. He is married to New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a past lecture series speaker.

The ������Ƶ Distinguished Leaders Lecture Series brings top government and public officials and business leaders to campus to share their unique perspective on critical state, national and international issues. It is sponsored by Harris Beach PLLC, a major New York-based law firm with offices in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Ithaca, White Plains, New York City and on Long Island.  

“As the new sponsor of the ������Ƶ Distinguished Leaders Lecture Series, we are delighted to be co-hosting Mr. Hochul at our inaugural sponsorship event with ������Ƶ,” said Tracie L. Lopardi, Esq., partner at the Harris Beach law firm in Buffalo. “There is no more distinguished leader for the law enforcement community in our region than Bill Hochul, and we are proud to be joining in supporting this important event on ������Ƶ’s campus.”