LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring P.E.A.C.E., Inc. (People's Equal Action
and Community Effort, Inc.) of Syracuse, New York, upon the occasion of
celebrating its 40th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize and
acknowledge those organizations within our midst which have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life within the communities in
which they operate; and
WHEREAS, One such organization is P.E.A.C.E., Inc. (People's Equal
Action and Community Effort, Inc.), which was founded in 1968 in
response to the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, with the mission of
helping people in the community realize their potential for becoming
self-sufficient; and
WHEREAS, As the federally designated community action agency for Onon-
daga County, P.E.A.C.E., Inc. is charged with helping low-income indi-
viduals have a stake in their community, and helping vulnerable popu-
lations achieve their potential by strengthening family and other
supportive systems; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 40 years, P.E.A.C.E., Inc. has grown substan-
tially; its budget has increased from four hundred thousand dollars to
over twenty million dollars; the number of employees has grown from
twenty to four hundred, the number of programs has increased from three
to twenty programs at over fifty different locations; and the number of
families served has grown from one hundred and fifty to nearly nine
thousand annually; and
WHEREAS, P.E.A.C.E., Inc. is currently serving the Central New York
community through a variety of programs and services, which include: the
Early Head Start/Head Start Programs, that work with and care for low-
income pregnant mothers and children from birth to age 5; the Big Broth-
ers Big Sisters (BBBS) program, which provides mentors for children
including those with disabilities; and the Frank DeFrancisco Eastwood
Community Center, which offers a variety of programs and activities
including nutritional lunches, wellness programs and day trips; and
WHEREAS, The agency also offers Project Connection, Family Resource
Centers, Energy & Housing Services, Project R.O.S.E.(Reach Out to Serve
the Elderly), the Foster Grandparent Program, Senior Nutrition, the
Earned Income Tax Credit Program, and the Healthy Relationship Program;
and
WHEREAS, P.E.A.C.E., Inc. believes in the human spirit and is dedi-
cated to changing people's lives, improving communities and making Onon-
daga County and New York State a better place to live; this agency will
continue to promote its core values, which include integrity, teamwork,
commitment and respect; and
WHEREAS, It is evident that Central New York is a better place because
of the long-term presence of P.E.A.C.E., Inc., which has built a remark-
able record of helping individuals and families become self-sufficient;
and
WHEREAS, In celebration of its 40th Anniversary, P.E.A.C.E., Inc. will
host a reception for its staff, board members and volunteers at PJ's Pub
and Grill in Syracuse, New York, on Thursday, June 4, 2009; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to P.E.A.C.E., Inc., its dedicated staff, its board members, and
its selfless volunteers as they celebrate 40 years of community service;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joseph E. O'Hara, Executive Director, P.E.A.C.E., Inc.