Background
He was born on January 15, 1898, in Buffalo, New New York
He was born on January 15, 1898, in Buffalo, New New York
He attended Canisius High School and Canisius College. He graduated from University of Buffalo Law School, and practiced law in Buffalo.
He was Chairman of the Committee on General Laws from 1927 to 1930. He was Clerk of the New York State Assembly from 1936 to 1964, officiating in the 159th, 160th, 161st, 162nd, 163rd, 164th, 165th, 166th, 167th, 168th, 169th, 170th, 171st, 172nd, 173rd and 174th New York State Legislatures. In January 1965, Borkowski opened the proceedings for the election of a Speaker in the 175th New York State Legislature, as the outgoing clerk traditionally did.
This was the first time since 1935 that a Democratic majority was elected to the Assembly, but due to a split into two factions—one following Mayor of New York City Robert F. Wagner, Junior., the other following United States. Senator Robert F. Kennedy—no Speaker could be elected.
Borkowski presided over a month of deadlock until the election of Anthony J. Travia as Speaker on February 4 with the votes of the Wagner men and the Republicans. Subsequently the Assembly was organized and Democrat John T. McKennan was elected to succeed Borkowski.
He died on December 1, 1992, in Buffalo, New New York And was buried at the Saint Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery in Cheektowaga.
Borkowski was a Republican member of the New York State Assembly (Erie Company, 5th Doctorate) in 1921, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930.