LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the South Bronx Mental Health Council
upon the occasion of hosting its 19th Annual Patient Recognition and
Empowerment Day on January 29, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations within the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
South Bronx Mental Health Council upon the occasion of hosting its 19th
Annual Patient Recognition and Empowerment Day on January 29, 2010; and
WHEREAS, A multi-cultural, free standing, not-for-profit community-
based organization, the South Bronx Mental Health Council has been
providing ambulatory mental health services to the Bronx community for
41 years and is the primary community-based mental health provider for
Community Planning Boards 1, 2, 3, and 4; and
WHEREAS, The multi-cultural, multi-lingual staff at the South Bronx
Mental Health Council consists of professionals, paraprofessionals and
support personnel who take into account each patient's culture, socioe-
conomic background as well as chemical abuse and medical conditions
which impact on treatment outcomes; and
WHEREAS, To meet the needs of the 294,000 residents of the South
Bronx, the services and programs at the South Bronx Mental Health Coun-
cil have grown throughout the years and now include outpatient services,
day programs and community residences; and
WHEREAS, To acknowledge the achievements made by outstanding patients
over the past year, the South Bronx Mental Health Council established
Patient Recognition and Empowerment Day, which recognizes patients for
their leadership qualities, commitment, determination and perseverance
in working hard to empower themselves to reach their goals, to emphasize
their strengths and minimize their disabilities; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Patient Recognition and Empowerment Day at the
South Bronx Mental Health Council brings awareness to the community,
government and elected officials that the services rendered to those
that have a mental disability can help rehabilitate and reintegrate them
back into the community and maintaining mental health services will
improve the quality of life of society; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the South Bronx Mental Health Council
is in direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals who have
supported its development over the years; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the superbly-skilled staff of the
South Bronx Mental Health Council, whose involvement is and has always
been characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm,
and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all of their efforts on
behalf of the organization and the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions 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 the South Bronx Mental Health Council upon the occasion of hosting
its 19th Annual Patient Recognition and Empowerment Day on January 29,
2010, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the sparkling
success which has so characterized its past; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the South Bronx Mental Health Council.