LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Reinhardt Van Dyke, LMSW upon the occa-
sion of his retirement after 23 years of distinguished service to the
Family Service League of Suffolk County, Inc.

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Reinhardt Van Dyke, LMSW upon the occasion of his retirement after 23
years of distinguished service to the Family Service League of Suffolk
County on Thursday, January 22, 2009, in Farmingdale, New York; and
WHEREAS, For the past 23 years, Reinhardt (Rick) Van Dyke rendered
faithful, conscientious and valuable service to the Family Service Leag-
ue of Suffolk County, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, In his capacity as a professional Social Worker, Rick Van
Dyke served with loyalty, honor and distinction; and
WHEREAS, In his official acts, Rick Van Dyke was governed by a keen
sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems; and
WHEREAS, The Family Service League of Suffolk County, Inc. addresses
social problems at the most basic and intimate level which is the single
individual or family in need of help; the League's mission is to help
individuals, children and families to mobilize their strengths and
improve the quality of their lives at home, in the workplace and in the
community; and
WHEREAS, Rick Van Dyke earned his MSW degree from the University of
Michigan in 1968 and is licensed by New York State as a LMSW and is a
member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers; with an undergraduate
degree in International Relations, he served in the Peace Corps in
Malawi, Central Africa for two years; and
WHEREAS, In 1968, Rick Van Dyke was appointed Associate Executive
Director of the Long Island Council of Churches where he was responsible
for social justice programs for migrant farm workers and family
services; he served as Executive Director of Court Counseling Service,
Director of Family Advocacy, Assistant Director of Family Service Asso-
ciation of Nassau County, and Executive Director of West Nassau Mental
Health Center; and
WHEREAS, Since 1986, Rick Van Dyke has led the Family Service League
in developing a large number of new and creative programs to assist
children and strengthen families; he has been active in designing new
human service initiatives and delivery systems, as well as initiating
social policy; and
WHEREAS, Most recently, Rick Van Dyke has been instrumental in the
founding of the Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative and the Hunt-
ington Community Council; he continues to strive for justice for chil-
dren and families in his work at Family Service League and in the broad-
er Long Island community; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure with the Family Service League of Suffolk
County, Inc., Rick Van Dyke earned the admiration, esteem and affection
of his colleagues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Reinhardt Van Dyke, LMSW upon the occasion of his retirement after
23 years of distinguished service to the Family Service League of
Suffolk County, Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reinhardt Van Dyke, LMSW.