LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Jean Lawson Stone upon the occasion of
receiving the Burke Award from the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and
Medical Research Institute on June 3, 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 individ-
uals 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 honor Jean
Lawson Stone upon the occasion of receiving the Burke Award from the
Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and Medical Research Institute at a
special reception to be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The Burke Award is presented to individuals or a group for
strength in overcoming a disability, for efforts made to ensure inde-
pendence for individuals with disabilities, for the development of
science and research that contributes to the better understanding of
physical disability, and for contributions made to the development of
rehabilitation; and
WHEREAS, Jean Lawson Stone, a long time Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
board member and former Scarsdale mayor, is being honored for her commu-
nity activism and leadership on behalf of the disabled, and for her
promotion of rehabilitation programs; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary leader, Jean Lawson Stone was instrumental in
establishing Burke's Home Health Aide Training Program in 1982; this
successful program operated until 2006, and was cited by the National
Association of Governors as a premier program for home health aide
training and job placement; and
WHEREAS, As an active member of the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital's
board of directors from 1983 to 2004, Jean Lawson Stone chaired the
executive committee, as well as others during her esteemed tenure; she
was also a member of the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation Board,
the Burke Medical Research Institute Board, the Burke Institutional
Review Board and the Burke Auxiliary's board of directors; and
WHEREAS, Jean Lawson Stone was elected Scarsdale's first female mayor
in 1981, holding office until 1983; extremely active in the Village of
Scarsdale, she also served as president of the Village Club and the
Heathcote Association, and was active with the League of Women Voters
and the Parent Teacher Association; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, Jean Lawson Stone has given extensively of her
time and energies as president of the Mental Health Association of West-
chester and as a board member of the National Alliance for Research on
Schizophrenia and Depression; she also serves on the advisory council of
New York-Presbyterian Hospital; and
WHEREAS, A woman of singular distinction, Jean Lawson Stone has
continually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary leadership,
and diligent leadership in her unwavering service to her community and
profession; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Jean Lawson Stone has displayed
throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals 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
honor Jean Lawson Stone upon the occasion of receiving the Burke Award
from the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and Medical Research Institute;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jean Lawson Stone.