LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dennis P. Whalen upon the occasion of
his designation by the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg as
the recipient of the Community Appreciation Award at its 5th Annual
Legislative Breakfast on March 29, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those illustrious individuals of the State of New York who
distinguish themselves in their profession and in service to their
community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
commend Dennis P. Whalen upon the occasion of his designation for
special honor by the United Jewish Organizations (UJO) of Williamsburg
as the recipient of its 2009 Community Appreciation Award; and
WHEREAS, Dennis P. Whalen, Deputy Secretary to the Governor, has dedi-
cated his life to public service and will be honored at the UJO's 5th
Annual Legislative Breakfast, to be held at The Continental in Brooklyn,
New York, on Sunday, March 29, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Since 1966, the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg
has provided social and housing services, as well as public health and
community development services for the Hassidic community in the greater
Williamsburg area; it serves and represents more than 70,000 community
residents and 148 civic, religious, educational and charitable organiza-
tions serving the Jewish communities of Williamsburg, Clinton Hill and
Bedford-Stuyvesant; and
WHEREAS, Its 5th Annual Legislative Breakfast provides an opportunity
to pay tribute to those who have supported the UJO and have helped to
further its efforts, as well as those who exemplify its mission of
improving the quality of life of the citizens it serves; and
WHEREAS, Appointed Deputy Secretary to the Governor in January 2007,
Dennis P. Whalen is the chief health care advisor to the Governor and,
as such, is responsible for policies and operations of New York State's
health and human services agencies, which include the Department of
Health; the Offices of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Develop-
mental Disabilities, Temporary and Disability Assistance, Children and
Family Services, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Aging, Medi-
caid Inspector General and Welfare Inspector General; the Division of
Veterans' Affairs; Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for
Persons with Disabilities; Council on Children and Families; and the
Developmental Disabilities Planning Council; and
WHEREAS, He previously served in the Department of Health as Executive
Deputy Commissioner, Director of the Office of Health Systems Manage-
ment, and Executive Deputy Director of the AIDS Institute; he also held
policymaking positions in the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
Services, including Deputy Commissioner for Program Services, and began
his career in New York State government in 1974 as a Public Health
Educator at the Department of Health; and
WHEREAS, Dennis Whalen is a graduate of Marist College and the
National Preparedness Leadership Institute at the Kennedy School of
Government; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend them for the
edification and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dennis P. Whalen upon the occasion of his designation as the
recipient of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg's Community

Appreciation Award at its 5th Annual Legislative Breakfast on March 29,
2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dennis P. Whalen.