LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Stella Louise Salerno upon the occa-
sion of her designation for special recognition by Dominican Village on
May 2, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Stella Louise Salerno upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by Dominican Village at its Annual Dinner Dance to be held
on Saturday, May 2, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Dominican Village is a non-sectarian, not-for-profit Inde-
pendent and Assisted Living Retirement Community located in Amityville,
Long Island, New York and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Dominic; and
WHEREAS, Stella Salerno, a resident of Dominican Village, has contin-
ually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence and
diligent leadership in her unwavering service to her community and
consequently has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1922 to Margaret and John, Stella Salerno grew up in
Brooklyn with her brother Joseph; in 1948, she married Carmine Salerno
after his discharge from the United States Air Force; she is the proud
mother of two children, John and Anne, and has five grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Stella Salerno graduated from Brooklyn College in 1943, and
earned a Master's degree in Social Work from Fordham University in 1948;
she was a respected professor of Social Work for 20 years at Fordham
University and for nine years at York College CUNY; and
WHEREAS, For six years, Stella Salerno served as Director of Programs
and Administration of the Department of Psychiatry for the Diocese of
Brooklyn and Queens; in addition, she was the Executive Director of the
St. Gregory Community Counseling Center from 1982 to 2006, and currently
serves on its Advisory Board; and
WHEREAS, In 1956, Bishop Mugavero guided Stella Salerno upon her life-
long path of community service when he nominated her to the Board of
Queens County Mental Health Society; she has since served as President
of Queens County Mental Health Association, Queens Interagency Council
on the Aging and the Dominican Village Civic Association; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Stella Salerno was President of American
Martyrs' Home School Association, Vice President of Martin Van Buren
H.S.P.T.A. and an officer in the Douglaston Women's Club and Garden
Club; she is also a devoted member of her church where she has taught
CCD classes and has worked on parish Las Vegas nights; and
WHEREAS, Since her arrival at Dominican Village, Stella Salerno has
been active in the North Amityville Taxpayers' Association; addi-
tionally, as a representative of the Dominican Village Civic Associ-
ation, she has advocated the concerns of the Village's residents to
Congressional, State and local leaders; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of her service of in-depth magnitude, Stella
Salerno has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades; she was
named the 1996 Social Worker of the Year and has been honored by such
groups as, Queens Interagency Council, Queens Council of Senior Centers,
Queens County Mental Health Society, St. Gregory's Community Counseling
Center and North Amityville Taxpayers' Association; in 2008, she was
awarded first prize for a poem in the Amityville Arts Circle poetry
contest; and

WHEREAS, Stella Salerno, a very active and industrious woman, has
inspired and enriched the lives of her family and friends through her
love and respect for others, generously sharing the wisdom gained over
years of experiencing life to its fullest; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention, it
is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend that individual for the
edification and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Stella Louise Salerno upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition by Dominican Village; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Stella Louise Salerno.