LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Association for the Visually
Impaired in Rockland and Orange Counties upon the occasion of its 2011
Distinguished Citizens' Awards Dinner Dance and honoring the award
recipients

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 organizations
and individuals who work to improve the well-being of the community and
its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Association for the Visually Impaired in Rockland and Orange Coun-
ties upon the occasion of its 2011 Distinguished Citizens' Awards Dinner
Dance, to be held at The View on the Hudson in Piermont, New York, on
Thursday, April 7, 2011, and to honor the evening's award recipients;
and
WHEREAS, Established in 1973, the mission of the Association for the
Visually Impaired (AVI) is to enable persons of all ages who are visual-
ly impaired, blind or deaf-blind living throughout Rockland and Orange
Counties to lead as independent a life as possible by providing rehabil-
itation and counseling services in their homes and communities; and
WHEREAS, AVI's Annual Distinguished Citizens' Awards Dinner Dance
provides an opportunity for the Association to pay tribute to those who
have supported the Association and have helped to further its efforts,
as well as those who exemplify its mission of improving the quality of
life of the community and citizens it serves; and
WHEREAS, Barry Fixler, M&T Bank Charitable Foundation, and Safe
Harbors of the Hudson truly merit such recognition; and
WHEREAS, Barry Fixler is the owner of Barry's Estate Jewelry in Bardo-
nia and the author of SEMPER COOL, ONE MARINE'S FOND MEMORIES OF
VIETNAM, all the proceeds of which go to wounded warriors and their
families; and
WHEREAS, The M&T Bank Charitable Foundation provides outstanding
service and has demonstrated enduring commitment to the communities it
serves and to the Association for the Visually Impaired; and
WHEREAS, Safe Harbors of the Hudson, much in keeping with AVI's own
mission, is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming lives
through housing and the arts; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions and individuals of such commitment and accomplishment are brought
to its attention, 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
commend the Association for the Visually Impaired in Rockland and Orange
Counties upon the occasion of its 2011 Distinguished Citizens' Awards
Dinner Dance on April 7, 2011, and to honor the evening's award recipi-
ents Barry Fixler, the M&T Bank Charitable Foundation, and Safe Harbors
of the Hudson; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Association for the Visually Impaired in Rockland and
Orange Counties and to the evening's award recipients Barry Fixler, the
M&T Bank Charitable Foundation, and Safe Harbors of the Hudson.