LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Janice W. Gay upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition after 35 years of distinguished
service to individuals with disabilities

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Janice W. Gay upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition after 35 years of distinguished service to individuals with
disabilities; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Wednesday,
April 15, 2009, at 450 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Epilepsy Society of Southern New York (ESSNY) was formed
in 1977 by a group of concerned people whose lives epilepsy has touched
in some way; it grew from a grass roots organization of support groups
to a registered non-profit agency governed by a voluntary Board of
Directors and its Executive Director; and
WHEREAS, The mission of ESSNY is to provide comprehensive services to
persons of all cultures with epilepsy, other developmental disabilities,
and/or neurological, physical, mental and visual impairments, and their
families; and
WHEREAS, ESSNY is dedicated to the prevention and control of seizure
disorders, the alleviation of the effects of developmental disabilities,
the protection of individual rights, and the promotion of independence
and optimal quality of life for people of all cultures who have these
impairments, their families, and other concerned individuals; and
WHEREAS, The services and programs of ESSNY are provided in New York
State and Northern New Jersey, and include service coordination, trau-
matic brain injury program, family support, home and community based
waiver program, independent living skills training, education and train-
ing, and vocational services; its goal is to assist all individuals who
have a developmental disability in obtaining their optimal growth poten-
tial; and
WHEREAS, Janice W. Gay was one of the founders of ESSNY, and has long
served as its Executive Director; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Janice W. Gay has
stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the
respect and admiration of her colleagues, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Janice W. Gay has displayed through-
out her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Janice W. Gay upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition after 35 years of distinguished service to individ-
uals with disabilities; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Janice W. Gay.