LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Sidney Hirschfeld upon the occasion of
his designation by the Mental Health Association in Orange County, Inc.
as the recipient of its 2013 Silver Bell Award on February 2, 2013

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organiza-
tions, businesses, and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare
of the community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Sidney Hirschfeld upon the occasion of his designation by the Mental
Health Association in Orange County, Inc. (MHA) as the recipient of its
2013 Silver Bell Award; and
WHEREAS, The Mental Health Association of Orange County seeks to
promote the positive mental health and emotional well-being of Orange
County residents, working toward reducing the stigma of mental illness
and developmental disabilities, and providing support to victims of
sexual assault and other crimes; and
WHEREAS, Working in partnership with service recipients, families,
volunteers and the community, MHA strives to fulfill its mission through
advocacy, direct service, education and information dissemination; and
WHEREAS, Each year the Mental Health Association in Orange County,
Inc. proudly honors outstanding organizations, businesses, and members
of the community who give unselfishly of themselves to help make the
lives of others fulfilling, recognizing them for their dedication to the
community and their commitment to MHA's mission; and
WHEREAS, Sidney Hirschfeld will be honored by the Mental Health Asso-
ciation in Orange County, Inc. with its prestigious Silver Bell Award at
its 2013 Silver Ball to be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013, at the
Round Hill House in Washingtonville, New York; and
WHEREAS, Sidney Hirschfeld graduated from St. John's University School
of Law in 1973; he began a 37 year professional career dedicated to
providing legal representation and advocacy for people with mental disa-
bilities that was unbroken until his retirement in 2010; and
WHEREAS, From 1973 - 1975, Sidney Hirschfeld's first assignment was at
Letchworth Village Developmental Center, Thiells, New York, where he
served as Senior Attorney for people with developmental disabilities in
a two county area; and
WHEREAS, For the next 11 years, Sidney Hirschfeld was assigned to
Middletown Psychiatric Center as a Senior Attorney representing people
with mental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Following that, through 1993, Sidney Hirschfeld held numerous
temporary and special assignments at various facilities including Matte-
wan, Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Center, Rockland Psychiatric Center, Middle-
town Psychiatric Center and Wassaic Developmental Center; and
WHEREAS, Beginning in 1993, Sidney Hirschfeld served as Chief Attorney
and Administrator for the Ninth Judicial District; he was responsible
for the supervision of 21 attorneys at seven field offices across a five
county area, while maintaining special relationships and channels of
communication with various courts, agencies and administrators through-
out New York State; and
WHEREAS, From 1999 until his retirement in 2010, Sidney Hirschfeld
held the position of Director of the MHLS, New York State Supreme Court,
Appellate Division Second Judicial Department; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure at MHLS, Sidney Hirschfeld directed 19
offices with a staff of 144 employees, including 94 attorneys represent-

ing and litigating on behalf of mentally disabled persons on a wide
variety of issues; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his employment, Sidney Hirschfeld has shown
his willingness over the years to volunteer his time to many community
organizations; he was a founding Board Member of the Hilltop Children's
Center in Middletown and served for over 10 years as a Board Member of
the Emergency Housing Group currently known as Honor EHG; most recently,
Sid contributed his wealth of experience and legal expertise to MHA in
Orange County as an active Board Member between 2004 and 2009; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
recognize Sidney Hirschfeld for his unwavering commitment to mental
health and the Mental Health Association in Orange County, Inc. as it
provides an uncompromising standard of excellence in the delivery of
superlative service to the communities and citizens it so ably serves;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble accomplishments are brought to our attention, they
should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of the great
State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Sidney Hirschfeld upon the occasion of his designation by the
Mental Health Association in Orange County, Inc. as the recipient of its
2013 Silver Bell Award on February 2, 2013; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sidney Hirschfeld.