LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Mark Wagar upon the occasion of his
designation for special honor at the 2011 World Police & Fire Games and
Memorial Benefit Gala on February 4, 2009

WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons and organ-
izations that provide exemplary service, whether through participation
in voluntary programs, through unique personal achievement in their
profession or other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of good
citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend
Mark Wagar upon the occasion of his designation for special honor at the
2011 World Police & Fire Games and Memorial Benefit Gala on February 4,
2009; and
WHEREAS, Mark Wagar currently serves as President and CEO of Empire
BlueCross BlueShield, the leading provider of health insurance coverage
serving a diverse spectrum across New York State, as well as Senior Vice
President, Eastern Market Lead for WellPoint, which serves over 10
million members in New York, Virginia and Georgia; and
WHEREAS, A 34-year veteran of healthcare services, Mark Wagar brings a
strong combination of health plan and provider management experience in
both for-profit and non-profit organizations; his leadership roles prior
to Empire included positions at Caremark, CIGNA HealthCare, and other
managed care organizations, as well as with hospitals, physician groups,
and outpatient care providers; and
WHEREAS, Despite his busy professional life, Mark Wagar has compiled
an impressive record of civic and charitable service; he is on the board
of directors for the Partnership for New York City, the Committee for
Hispanic Children and Families and the Battery Park Conservancy, and
serves on the Health Care Advisory Board of the Executive Council, the
Board of Trustees for the American Red Cross of Greater New York, the
Executive Committee of the Citizens Budget Commission, and the Steering
Committee of the Association for a Better New York; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Ohio State University, Mark Wagar was a member
of the 1971 Big 10 Championship Basketball Team and has been recognized
as a Distinguished Alumnus; and
WHEREAS, Mark Wagar has also been the recipient of a multitude of
awards, honors and certificates of recognition, acknowledging his
efforts of in-depth magnitude, including the Dr. Jonas Salk Memorial
Mentor in Medicine Award, and leadership awards from the Jewish Communi-
ty Relations Council of New York, the Primary Care Development Corpo-
ration and the Battery Park Conservancy; and
WHEREAS, With Mark Wagar throughout has been his wife, Ellen, who
feels privileged to be a part of his life and rejoices in his many
achievements; 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 Mark Wagar 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
commend Mark Wagar upon the occasion of his designation for special
honor at the 2011 World Police & Fire Games and Memorial Benefit Gala on
February 4, 2009; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mark Wagar.