LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Gloria Garcia upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition by the Neighborhood Technical
Assistance Clinic on July 1, 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
Gloria Garcia upon the occasion of her designation for special recogni-
tion by the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic; and
WHEREAS, Gloria Garcia will be honored by the Neighborhood Technical
Assistance Clinic at its 11th Anniversary Celebration, a salute to New
York City's nonprofits and the neighborhoods they serve, to be held on
Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Steiner Studios No. 6, Brooklyn Navy Yard,
Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, A woman of singular distinction, Gloria Garcia has contin-
ually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence and
diligent leadership in her unwavering service to her community and
profession and consequently has been selected to receive this most pres-
tigious accolade; and
WHEREAS, Gloria Garcia has been a member of the College of Staten
Island community since 1971; throughout her distinguished career, she
has served the institution in numerous capacities, including as Finan-
cial Aid Counselor, College Discovery/SEEK Program Counselor, Interim
Director for Continuing Education and Interim Director for the Coun-
seling Center; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary leader, Gloria Garcia has proudly served as SEEK
Program Director for the past 20 years; and
WHEREAS, Under Gloria Garcia's leadership, the SEEK Program has
expanded beyond its traditional counseling/tutoring service model to
incorporate community involvement as part of its programmatic mission;
and
WHEREAS, For the past eight years, through the support of the CSI
Foundation, the SEEK Program has received grants from private founda-
tions for the continuing operations of the Strategies for Success
Tutor/Mentoring Program, a highly successful service that has had 150
college students serve as tutor/mentors to over 600 children from local
schools; and
WHEREAS, Gloria Garcia's commitment to the education of young adults,
in particular to the SEEK Program, has won her the recognition of both
the CSI and the Staten Island community; she is a recent recipient of
the Dolphin Award as well as the New York Urban League's Educational
Award; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her service to the College of
Staten Island, a period of constructive involvement, Gloria Garcia has
stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Gloria Garcia earned her Graduate degree from Harvard Univer-
sity and her Bachelor's degree from the University of Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her partner, Deborah, and her
daughter, Kathleena Mercedes, both of whom feel privileged to be a part
of her life and rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Gloria Garcia has displayed through-
out her life; 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 Gloria Garcia upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic on July 1,
2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gloria Garcia.