LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Laura Haight upon the occasion of
receiving 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
Laura Haight upon the occasion of receiving the Jim Perry Progressive
Leadership Award from Capital District Citizen Action of New York on
June 4, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The Senior Environmental Associate with the New York Public
Interest Research Group for the past 10 years, Laura Haight began her
activism at a very young age when she joined efforts in her community to
save the parks in her New York City neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Laura Haight directs the New York Public Interest Research
Group's advocacy on toxics, solid waste, clean air and energy issues and
coordinated its statewide campaign to update and expand the Bottle Bill
in the State of New York, which successfully concluded this spring; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Laura Haight has played a leading role in the
passage of numerous state and local environmental laws, including the
Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law and the Superfund-Brownfields Law,
as well as other campaigns such as the Hudson River PCB Superfund
clean-up; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining the staff of the New York Public Interest
Research Group in 1999, Laura Haight held positions in several other
nonprofit environmental groups in New York, including Clearwater, Scenic
Hudson, the Sierra Club and Environmental Advocates; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Laura Haight serves on the Board of EPL-Environ-
mental Advocates and the Container Recycling Institute, and locally is a
member of Women Against War and Save the Pine Bush; and
WHEREAS, Laura Haight received a Bachelor of Arts degree in American
History and Literature from Harvard University and a Master's of Science
degree in Environmental Studies from the Bard College Graduate School of
Environmental Studies; 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 Laura Haight and to wish her contin-
ued success in all of her future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Laura Haight 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 Laura Haight.