LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Chester Finn upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Excellence Award by the New York State
Association of Community and Residential Agencies

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Chester Finn
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Excellence
Award by the New York State Association of Community and Residential
Agencies on Wednesday, April 22, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Chester Finn was selected last year for the second time as
the President of the national self-advocacy organization, Self Advocates
Becoming Empowered (SABE), where he is regarded as a leader and vision-
ary for people with disabilities; he currently works as a Special
Assistant at the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Devel-
opmental Disabilities (OMRDD) in the Office of Advocacy Services; and
WHEREAS, Chester Finn's staunch advocacy led the national SABE to take
a leadership role with the National Alliance for Full Participation - a
formal partnership of leading national organizations serving the devel-
opmental disabilities field sharing a common vision, which is to help
create a better and more fulfilling quality of life for people with
developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, A sought-after speaker on a national level, Chester Finn sits
on the Board of Directors for The Arc of the United States and was
previously a board member of the New York State Association of Community
and Residential Agencies (NYSACRA); he is frequently asked to travel to
speak with self-advocacy groups, provider organizations, and schools; he
has shared the stage with many leaders in the field of disabilities and
other civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King III; and
WHEREAS, A mentor to a new generation of self-advocates and a consum-
mate networker, Chester Finn speaks his mind, listens effectively and
completely understands local, state and federal policy issues; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the life in their community and have shown a long and sustained
commitment to excellence certainly have earned recognition and applause;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Chester Finn upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Excellence Award by the New York State Association of Community and
Residential Agencies; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Chester Finn.