LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring John and Barbara Flynn upon the occasion
of receiving the Third Age Achievement Award in the category of Educa-
tion from the Senior Services of Albany Foundation on November 17, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the senior
citizens of the Empire State who, as they reach the fullness of years,
continue to be active and vital participants in the life of their commu-
nity; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor John
and Barbara Flynn upon the occasion of receiving the Third Age Achieve-
ment Award in the category of Education from the Senior Services of
Albany Foundation on November 17, 2009; and
WHEREAS, John Flynn has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Duke Univer-
sity, served in the Peace Corps, teaching English in Afghanistan, and
later taught in the New York City schools; he also worked as staff to
the New York State Senate, where he established student internship
programs, and held various positions in the Office of Mental Retardation
and Developmental Disabilities; and
WHEREAS, A teacher with a Ph.D. in History from Duke University,
Barbara Flynn spent a year in India teaching basic education to women;
from 1973 to 1975, she was an Assistant Professor at Union College and
then moved to the New York State Department of Education, where she
established the Committee for Professional Assistance and eventually
became Assistant Commissioner in Higher Education; and
WHEREAS, Retirement in 2003 allowed John and Barbara Flynn the time to
take tutor training at Literacy New York, and for several years, they
each tutored one non-English speaking student; during the second year,
they were invited to teach classes of non-English speakers using a
curriculum that included customs and government; and
WHEREAS, John and Barbara Flynn have taught classes at Literacy New
York for three years, mostly to refugees from the Congo, Sudan, Iraq,
Afghanistan and Burma; through their efforts and sensitivity to the
students' social needs, as well as the linguistic, they have been
successful in helping students navigate their new community more smooth-
ly and come closer to enjoying success in their new lives; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when seniors of
such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, 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 and Barbara Flynn upon the occasion of receiving the Third
Age Achievement Award in the category of Education from the Senior
Services of Albany Foundation on November 17, 2009, and to wish them
continued success in all of their future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John and Barbara Flynn.