LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending James Halpern, Ph.D., upon the occa-
sion of his designation for special recognition by the American Red
Cross of Ulster County on June 5, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge those exemplary individuals whose purposeful lives
and distinguished careers have been committed to bettering the quality
of life in this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
James Halpern, Ph.D., upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the American Red Cross of Ulster County at its 10th Annu-
al Founders Dinner to be held on Friday, June 5, 2009, at Wiltwyck Golf
Club, Kingston, New York; and
WHEREAS, A man of singular distinction, Dr. James Halpern has contin-
ually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence and
diligent leadership in his unwavering service to his community and
profession and consequently has been designated for this most presti-
gious honor; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James Halpern is a Professor of Psychology and Coun-
seling, as well as the Director of the Institute for Disaster Mental
Health at SUNY New Paltz; and
WHEREAS, Well-known and highly respected, Dr. James Halpern coauthored
the textbook, DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH: THEORY AND PRACTICE, published by
Brooks/Cole in July 2007; he has also given numerous scholarly and
training presentations on trauma and disaster mental health throughout
the United States and abroad and has been a regular guest on CNN to
discuss the psychological impact of traumatic events; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James Halpern has received highly competitive federal
grants from the National Institute for Mental Health and the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; additionally, he has
been selected as the recipient of New York State grants from the Depart-
ment of Health and the Office of Mental Health; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Dr. James Halpern served on the Leadership
Committee of the Disaster Mental Health Services of the Greater New York
Chapter of the American Red Cross for five years and is now the Chair of
the Ulster County chapter; he has also consulted for the United Nations
on Assisting Victims of Terror and currently serves on the Advisory
Committee to New York's Veterans Mental Health Project; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James Halpern has been called upon to contribute his time
and talents to countless endeavors and has always given of himself
unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his service, a period of
constructive involvement, Dr. James Halpern has stood constant in digni-
ty, good grace and humor; 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
commend Dr. James Halpern upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the American Red Cross of Ulster County on June
5, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to James Halpern, Ph.D.