LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Gerard Mattimore upon the occasion of
his designation for special recognition by VolunteerMatch

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Gerard Mattimore upon the occasion of his designation for special recog-
nition by VolunteerMatch; and
WHEREAS, A resident of West Nyack, 74 year-old Gerard Mattimore
retired from Bayer Corporation after a 39 year career; early in his
career as a young corporate marketer, he met children and families
served by Easter Seals, a nonprofit organization that works for people
with autism and other developmental disabilities and special needs; and
WHEREAS, Three decades later, Gerard Mattimore is the chairman of the
board of Easter Seals, which serves about 2 million developmentally
disabled people and their families; recently, he was recognized by
VolunteerMatch as one of America's top volunteers; and
WHEREAS, VolunteerMatch works with national nonprofits to coordinate
their volunteer recruitment; many of its volunteers say they experienced
a moment that made them committed to helping others; for Mr. Mattimore,
that moment came when he met the parents of a 15-year-old autistic girl
from upstate New York who had come to take part in the Easter Seals'
respite program; and
WHEREAS, The couple confessed they hadn't had an evening out together
since their daughter was born; Gerard Mattimore realized how important a
respite weekend could be for families taking care of disabled loved
ones; he has been an Easter Seals volunteer for 28 years, first as a
board member and chair at his local affiliate, and for the last 12 years
as a national board member; and
WHEREAS, Gerard Mattimore is serving his third year as national chair;
in his current capacity, Mr. Mattimore is working to get better grass-
roots support for issues that have an impact on people with disabili-
ties; and
WHEREAS, Recently Gerard Mattimore led a group of 350 volunteers to
Capitol Hill to meet with their local members of Congress; he, along
with the others, worked to convey the message that people with disabili-
ties and other special needs should have equal access to quality,
affordable health care, in order to get what they need when they need
it; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned our
recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Gerard Mattimore upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by VolunteerMatch; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gerard Mattimore.