LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Executive Director Gloria Richardson
Griffin upon the occasion of her retirement after 40 years of distin-
guished service to the Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed resi-
dents of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Executive Director Gloria Richardson Griffin upon the occasion of her
retirement after 40 years of distinguished service to the Cayuga/Seneca
Community Action Agency, to be celebrated on Friday, June 12, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Born in Auburn, New York, to the late Fred E. and Elizabeth
Dale Richardson, Gloria Griffin was educated in the Auburn public school
system; and
WHEREAS, In 1969, Gloria Griffin began working for the Cayuga County
Action Program (CCAP), now the Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency as
an outreach worker; in 1971, she became the Agency's program supervisor,
and in 1973, she was promoted to Administrative Assistant; and
WHEREAS, Gloria Griffin has served as Executive Director since 1975,
and while the issues the agency deals with have changed, the mission
remains the same -- to help people obtain and sustain self-sufficiency
and self-dignity; and
WHEREAS, In the beginning of Gloria Griffin's tenure there were fewer
single-parent families, and the focus was more on nutrition than on
domestic violence and teen pregnancy; to deal with feeding the poor, a
community garden where people could care for their own vegetables
provided food for the agency's customers; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, Gloria Griffin founded Cayuga County's Battered
Women's Shelter in response to the escalating issues of family stress
and violence; programs were also conducted to educate the public about
the criminality of domestic violence and to raise the veil of secrecy
from the problem; and
WHEREAS, The name change of CCAP to Cayuga/Seneca Community Action
Agency better identified the service delivery area of the anti-poverty
agency; the name change was an important step, so that the agency could
be officially recognized in both counties in which it serves; and
WHEREAS, A true citizen of Cayuga County, Gloria Griffin has always
believed in giving back to the community she loves so much; she is a
member of numerous organizations, some of which include: Executive
Committee of NAACP; Cayuga-Cortland Private Industrial Council; BOCES
Occupational and Educational Advisory Committee; Booker T. Washington
Board of Directors; St. Joseph Cemetery Board of Directors; the Big
Sisters of Auburn; and the Cayuga County Social Services Advisory Board;
and
WHEREAS, Gloria Griffin is the recipient of many awards and certif-
icates of recognition which include: the State of New York's Community
Action Lifetime Achievement Award; the Award for Public Service; the
Outstanding Citizenship Award, given by the NAACP; and a recognition
award by the American Diabetes Association, to mention a few; and
WHEREAS, A member of St. Mary's Church, Gloria Griffin has served as
an Ecumenical Minister, and has served on numerous committees; she is a
supporter of race relations, and the rights of economically deprived
individuals; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her children, Robin, Stacy, and
Phredi, as well as her grandchildren, Audric, Robyn, Kayla, and Samuel,

all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her
achievements; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Executive Director Gloria Richardson Griffin upon the occasion of
her retirement after 40 years of distinguished service to the
Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gloria Richardson Griffin.