LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Gerry and Bonnie Walsh upon the occa-
sion of their designation for special recognition by the United Hospice
of Rockland on Sunday, June 27, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individ-
uals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citi-
zenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Gerry and Bonnie Walsh upon the occasion of their designation for
special recognition by the United Hospice of Rockland at its Annual Gala
to be held on Sunday, June 27, 2010, at the Colonial Inn, Norwood, New
Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Gerry and Bonnie Walsh have continually demonstrated extreme
competence, extraordinary intelligence and diligent leadership in their
unwavering service to both their community and profession; and
WHEREAS, Bonnie Walsh graduated from St. Clare's Hospital School of
Nursing and worked at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in its first
Cardiac Monitor Unit; and
WHEREAS, After living in Hawaii for a year, Gerry and Bonnie Walsh
moved to Rockland County, where Bonnie began work at Nyack Hospital and
was Head Nurse of the Intensive Care Unit; and
WHEREAS, Bonnie Walsh held this position until she stepped down to
raise her children; she returned to the workforce in 1989 when she
accepted a position with United Hospice of Rockland; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure with Hospice, Bonnie Walsh has been
involved in all aspects of the organization, both clinically and admin-
istratively; in 1996, she was certified by the National Board for
Certification of Hospice Nurses and presently teaches classes to assist
other nurses in receiving certification; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Bonnie Walsh is an approved educator for the
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association and the End of Life Nurse
Education Consortium; in 2004, she implemented the start-up of the
community-based Palliative Care Program when United Hospice of Rockland
received a grant from the Rockland County Department of Health; this
program now averages 60 patients living at home with serious illness who
are not eligible for hospice care or care for patients who are not
emotionally ready for Hospice; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Bonnie Walsh was the first recipient of the New York
State Hospice Association's Clinical Service Award and in 1998, she
received an award from the Rockland County Nurse Recognition Committee
for Excellence in Nursing; and
WHEREAS, Gerry Walsh graduated from the University of Charleston and
served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War at Schofield
Army Base in Hawaii; he spent more than 30 years in the telecommuni-
cations industry and was President of Telecom Equipment Corporation of
New York; and
WHEREAS, He later held senior management positions in other telecommu-
nications companies, and in 2004 began a second career with the County
of Rockland; he worked in the County Executive's office as Director of
Administration and is presently Commissioner of the Department of Gener-
al Services; and
WHEREAS, Despite their busy professional lives, Gerry and Bonnie Walsh
have been called upon to contribute their time and talents to countless

civic and charitable endeavors and have always given of themselves
unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Bonnie Walsh's community involvement has included leading a
Girl Scout Troop from Brownies through High School, and many of her Girl
Scouts achieved the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting; and
WHEREAS, Gerry Walsh's extensive community involvement includes being
elected Councilman for the Town of Orangetown, serving as past President
of the Rockland County Ancient Order of Hibernians, and being selected
by the AOH as Grand Marshal of the Rockland County St. Patrick's Day
Parade in 2000; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Gerry Walsh is a founding member and past Presi-
dent of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in the County of Rockland and
still serves as a Communications Merit Badge Counselor with the Rockland
County Boy Scouts; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to their faith, Gerry and Bonnie Walsh are parishion-
ers of St. Anthony's Church in Nanuet, where Gerry serves on the Parish
Council and Bonnie is a Eucharistic Minister; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Gerry and Bonnie Walsh have stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With them throughout have been their four children and five
grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of their lives
and rejoice in their achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Gerry and Bonnie Walsh have displayed
throughout their lives; 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 the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Gerry and Bonnie Walsh upon the occasion of their designation
for special recognition by the United Hospice of Rockland on Sunday,
June 27, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gerry and Bonnie Walsh.