LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ron Deutsch upon the occasion of receiv-
ing the Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Award from Capital District
Citizen Action of New York on June 4, 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 organiza-
tions and individuals 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 Ron
Deutsch upon the occasion of receiving the Jim Perry Progressive Leader-
ship Award from Capital District Citizen Action of New York on June 4,
2009; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Ron Deutsch is the Director of New Yorkers for
Fiscal Fairness, which runs the Better Choice Budget Campaign, a coali-
tion of over 100 labor, community and faith-based organizations repres-
enting nearly one million New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Ron Deutsch also spearheads the Omnibus Consortium, which
works on developing a fair and equitable solution to the property tax
crisis in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, A native of New York City, Ron Deutsch moved to the Saratoga
Springs area over 20 years ago while studying Sociology at the Universi-
ty at Albany; after earning a degree, he began a career in social
justice working for the Statewide Emergency Network for Social and
Economic Security and became Executive Director in 1997; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure with the Statewide Emergency Network for
Social and Economic Security, Ron Deutsch was instrumental in the devel-
opment of the Wheels for Work Program in New York State, authored numer-
ous publications, worked on Federal Welfare Reform and formed MicroBiz-
NY, a statewide network of organizations that assist low-income people
in starting or developing a small business; and
WHEREAS, Despite his busy professional life, Ron Deutsch has compiled
an impressive record of civic and charitable service; he has served on
numerous boards and steering committees, including the Hunger Action
Network of New York State, Common Cause New York, the Saratoga County
EOC, the Asset Development Institute of Brandeis University, the Brook-
lyn Economic Development Corporation, Health Care for America Now and
the Fiscal Policy Institute Policy Board; and
WHEREAS, The founding member of Citizen Action of the Capital
District, Jim Perry was an outstanding leader whose role in progressive
politics both in the Capital District and statewide was exemplary; 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; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Ron Deutsch and to wish him continued
success in all of his future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ron Deutsch upon the occasion of receiving the Jim Perry Progres-
sive Leadership Award from Capital District Citizen Action of New York
on June 4, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ron Deutsch.