LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of James J. Harnett, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, President and CEO of the Family & Children's Association,
James Harnett died on Saturday, January 23, 2010, at the age of 63; and
WHEREAS, A memorial in James Harnett's honor will take place on Tues-
day, March 16, 2010; and
WHEREAS, James Harnett distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, James Harnett's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, The Long Island nonprofit community is mourning the sudden
loss of James "Jim" Harnett, President and CEO of Family & Children's
Association; he joined Family & Children's as President and CEO in 2006,
with extensive experience in the nonprofit human services sector; he had
served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Secre-
tary of Covenant House in New York City; and
WHEREAS, Jim Harnett had also worked for Columbia University, Catholic
Charities of the Brooklyn Diocese, Catholic Guardian Society in Brooklyn
and the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Atlanta; in addition, he worked
as a volunteer in Karnataka State, India, for the United States Peace
Corps; and
WHEREAS, Jim Harnett was greatly respected by co-workers, colleagues
and peers because he worked tirelessly for the benefit of the most
vulnerable; in addition to his role at Family & Children's, he had been
active over his career as an officer, director, member or consultant
with the following: the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island; the
Kimmel Housing Development Foundation, Inc.; Long Island Federally Qual-
ified Health Center; New York State Association of Family Service Agen-
cies; New York State Health Foundation; United Nations Department of
Peacekeeping Operations; the United Way of Long Island Agency Executives
Council; and Anna and Philip Kimmel Foundation; and
WHEREAS, James Harnett earned his Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from
Cathedral College in Douglaston, Queens, in 1968; he received a Master's
degree in Public Administration from New York University in 1974, and
completed the Harvard Business School's Strategic Perspectives in Non-
Profit Management Program in 1995; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, James Harnett is survived by his
mother, Eleanor, his wife Fran, and their two children, Sarah and James;
and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, James Harnett's life was a
portrait of service, a legacy which will long endure the passage of time
and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of James J. Harnett, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of James J. Harnett.