LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Herkimer
Area Resource Center

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations within the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 40th Anniversary of Herkimer Area Resource Center; and
WHEREAS, A private, not-for-profit volunteer organization, the Herkim-
er Area Resource Center was founded by parents and incorporated on May
3, 1969, to enable people with disabilities and others in the community
to achieve their full potential and have enriched lives; and
WHEREAS, The Herkimer Area Resource Center has expanded significantly
since its inception in 1969; it currently offers numerous services to
over 600 people and their families each day at its 35 facilities and
employs 436 full and part time staff; and
WHEREAS, The first program that the Herkimer Area Resource Center
developed was a summer camp; today, over 60 people with developmental
disabilities and their families enjoy its recreation center, as well as
other recreational opportunities in the community; and
WHEREAS, In 1972, the first Herkimer Area Resource Center day program,
an activities center that served eight people, was established; it blos-
somed into a vocational training center with its first contract with the
Allegro Shoe Company the following year; and
WHEREAS, Today, Herkimer Industries provides contracting services for
20 local and regional businesses and employs 192 people with disabili-
ties who assemble, sew and package a number of products such as
uniforms, first responder bags and eye wear and goggle straps; and
WHEREAS, The Herkimer Area Resource Center initially developed compet-
itive job placements in the community in 1974, when it placed a person
at the Herkimer County Highway Garage and another at the Duofold Compa-
ny; today, its employment program, Career Connections, serves 86 people
with disabilities in the community; and
WHEREAS, That same year, the first Herkimer Area Resource Center resi-
dence was established in Little Falls for 10 people; the Residential
Services program currently has 20 homes for 95 individuals, as well as a
Respitality Center that serves 50 families and a five provider family
care program that serves six individuals; and
WHEREAS, The Day Treatment program began at the Herkimer Area Resource
Center in 1979; it has since grown into the Day Services program, which
serves over 400 people each year and includes services such as day
habilitation, children and family services, senior services, clinical
and health related services, service coordination, and guardianship and
spirituality services; and
WHEREAS, During the early days of the Herkimer Area Resource Center,
parents provided transportation to programs and school; in 1973, it
began transportation services using borrowed vans and received its first
federally funded vehicle in 1976; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Herkimer Area Resource Center Transportation
Department serves 300 people each day and provides over 155,000 passen-
ger trips each year with its 17 full-sized buses, two mini buses and
three minivans, all of which are handicapped equipped; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by Herkimer Area Resource Center is in
direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals, past and
present, who have supported its progress over the years; and

WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the superbly-skilled staff at Herkim-
er Area Resource Center, whose involvement is and has always been char-
acterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an
uncompromising standard of excellence in all of their efforts on behalf
of the organization and the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Herkimer Area Resource Center, fully
confident that it will continue to enjoy the sparkling success which has
so characterized its past; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Herkimer Area Resource Center.