LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring John Harper upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 24th Annual Service Award by the Alco-
holism and Drug Abuse Council of Orange County on October 16, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud the efforts of those individuals within the State of New York
who are dedicated to aiding the fight against alcoholism and drug abuse;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor John
Harper upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 24th
Annual Service Award by the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council of Orange
County to be celebrated at its Annual Awards Dinner on Friday, October
16, 2009, at The Fountains at Wallkill Golf Club, Middletown, New York;
and
WHEREAS, John Harper, Executive Director of Emergency Housing Group,
is being recognized for his steadfast advocating of alcoholism and drug
abuse awareness, prevention education, community outreach and treatment;
and
WHEREAS, John Harper was born in Watts, California, the second of 10
children to Claude and Margaret Harper; he attended Catholic parochial
schools and Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California; and
WHEREAS, After graduating, he entered the Maryknoll Missionary Society
in Chicago and completed his college training with a Bachelor's degree
in Philosophy; he spent a year in the Maryknoll Novitate in Hingman,
Massachusetts, and then also went to graduate school at Maryknoll Semi-
nary where he earned his Master's degree in Theology; and
WHEREAS, During his graduate studies, he spent two years in the
Philippines on the island of Mindanao during the Marcos Regime; while
there, he operated a home for runaway and homeless youth in Davao City;
and
WHEREAS, John Harper was ordained a catholic priest in 1975 and was
assigned to Development and Public Relations, first in New England and
later in Los Angeles and Arizona; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, he was appointed Vocation Director and Assistant
Director of Development at the Maryknoll World Headquarters in Ossining,
New York; during the next six years, he was co-responsible for the over-
sight of recruiting, fundraising and public education for the Maryknoll
Society; and
WHEREAS, As Vocation Director and Assistant Director of Development,
John Harper traveled to approximately 36 mission regions in Asia, Africa
and Latin America; he also fulfilled more than 6,000 public speaking
engagements, in both the United States and overseas; and
WHEREAS, In 1985, John Harper was appointed Administrator of the
Maryknoll Lay Missioner Training Facility in Ossining, the center for
mission preparation for single men and women, as well as families
preparing to serve three to five years in overseas regions; and
WHEREAS, Two years later, John Harper resigned from the priesthood and
got married; on March 22, 1988, he was hired as the Executive Director
of Emergency Housing Group, a position he still holds today; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his two step-daughters and his
son, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in
his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which John Harper has displayed throughout
his 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
honor John Harper upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 24th Annual Service Award by the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council
of Orange County on October 16, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted John Harper.