LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Council of Neighborhood Organiza-
tions upon the occasion of its 27th Annual Dinner Dance on June 2, 2011

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 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, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Council of Neighborhood Organizations (C.O.N.O.) upon the occasion
of its 27th Annual Dinner Dance, to be held at Sirico's Caterers in
Brooklyn on Thursday, June 2, 2011, and to recognize the honorees of the
evening; and
WHEREAS, The Council of Neighborhood Organizations Inc. was formed in
1978 to ensure that the quality of life for the residents of the Boro
Park, Sunset Park and Kensington sections of Brooklyn would be safe-
guarded; and
WHEREAS, In the years that have followed, C.O.N.O. has put together a
full range of social service programs, housing programs and youth
programs; and
WHEREAS, It provides assistance in obtaining help from the most needed
programs such as Public Assistance, Food Stamps, Medicare, Medicaid,
SCRIE, HEAP, IT-214, SCHE, and STAR; and
WHEREAS, With an ever growing immigrant and senior citizen population
as well as the major role gentrification is playing, housing availabili-
ty has become the organization's number one priority; and
WHEREAS, C.O.N.O. works diligently to educate the residents of the
neighborhood and, in an effort to meet the needs of its clientele, it
has established a landlord/tenant mediation board, an eviction
prevention unit, and a relocation unit to assist tenants in finding
affordable housing within the community, which will enable families to
keep their children in the same school with as little disruption to the
family's quality of life as possible; and
WHEREAS, Each year at its Annual Dinner Dance the Council of Neighbor-
hood Organizations honors men and women of the community, recognizing
their outstanding service, dedication, and contributions to the communi-
ty; and
WHEREAS, This year, Commander Joseph P. Gandolfo, PPC, PCC and Quar-
termaster Joseph J. Ruggiero of VFW Vincent F. Atene Post 3230 are the
recipients of The Frank J. Crifasi Memorial Award; Thomas Smith, RN,
Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President of Maimonides Medical
Center is the recipient of the Man of the Year and Nursing Leadership
Awards; Ms. Anne Strafaci, Director of Development at St. Patrick's
Roman Catholic Church, is the recipient of the Woman of the Year Award;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, Detective Vincent Galeno and Detective Michael
Milici, 66th Precinct Community Affairs Officers, are the recipients of
the Community Service Award, and George Procovas, proprietor of 13th
Avenue Florist, is the recipient of the Young Entrepreneur Award; and
WHEREAS, Each of these community leaders works to make the community
served by the Council of Neighborhood Organizations a better place to
live and grow and merits the recognition and appreciation of their
fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud organizations such as the Council of Neighborhood Organizations
and individuals, such as its honorees of the evening, who distinguish

themselves in their profession and work to meet the needs of their
community and its citizens with diligence and compassionate commitment
to improving the quality of life in the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Council of Neighborhood Organizations upon the occasion of
its 27th Annual Dinner Dance on June 2, 2011, and to recognize the hono-
rees of the evening; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Council of Neighborhood Organizations and to the distin-
guished honorees of the evening.