LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Carmela Lage upon the occasion of being
named the 2008 Person of the Year by the MERRICK HERALD

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, Carmela Lage has given not only of her time and energies but
also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Carmela Lage
upon the occasion of being named the 2008 Person of the Year by the
MERRICK HERALD; and
WHEREAS, A woman who is always giving of herself without expecting
anything from anyone in return, Carmela Lage began her work on behalf of
people with cerebral palsy in 1964, when she first moved to Merrick, New
York, with her husband, Al, her son, John, and her daughter, Michelle,
who was diagnosed with the disease; and
WHEREAS, The Lage family chose to live in Merrick to be close to the
Treatment and Rehabilitation Center of Roosevelt, run by the United
Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County (UCPN); Michelle, who is now 50 years-
old and leads an active life, attended school at the Center; it was then
Carmela began volunteering there but not because her daughter attended
its school, but because she thought it was a wonderful place; to this
day, she continues to volunteer at the Center; and
WHEREAS, The Nassau County Auxiliaries Council of the United Cerebral
Palsy Association hosts an annual fashion show to raise funds for the
Center; for the past 10 years, Carmela Lage has served as the event's
chairwoman; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her work for the UCPN, Carmela Lage is active
in many Merrick organizations; she began her community involvement as
Merrick's Welcome Wagon hostess more than four decades ago, greeting
newcomers to the area and providing literature on local businesses,
civic groups and elected leaders; today, she serves on the Merrick Cham-
ber of Commerce board and is an active member of the Kiwanis Club; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Carmela Lage has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Carmela Lage has displayed through-
out her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Carmela Lage upon the occasion of being named the 2008 Person of
the Year by the MERRICK HERALD; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Carmela Lage, 1688 Kensington Avenue, Merrick, New York.