George M. Michaels

[1] Michaels was born on September 15, 1910 (as per the Social Security Death Index) in College Point, Queens, New York City.

He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, enlisting as a private and leaving as a captain.

In 1966, the new apportionment joined Cayuga and Cortland counties into the 122nd District, and Michaels declined to run for re-election.

In the Assembly he was an advocate for expanded state aid to rural school districts and in sentencing and prison issues.

For the Assembly, the bill was amended to allow for women to have abortions until their 24th week of pregnancy or at any time to protect the life of the mother.

After his changed vote, the chamber erupted in bedlam, Michaels buried his face in his hands, and one person shouted epithets at him.

[1] The documentary was directed by Jeremy Workman and Robert J. Lyons and won numerous film festival awards and citations, before being Oscar-shortlisted in 2024.