LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Craig Thompson upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the Beacon Leadership Award by the Inde-
pendent Living Center of the Hudson Valley

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Craig Thompson has given not only of his time and energies
but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Craig Thomp-
son, Director of the Department of Environmental Conservation's Five
Rivers Environmental Education Center, upon the occasion of his desig-
nation as recipient of the Beacon Leadership Award by the Independent
Living Center of the Hudson Valley on May 10, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley is a not-
for-profit corporation that provides community based services to indi-
viduals with disabilities and their families; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Coeymans, New York, Craig Thompson has been the
Director of the Department of Environmental Conservation's Five Rivers
Environmental Education Center in Delmar, New York, for 16 years; and
WHEREAS, Craig Thompson has been called upon to contribute his time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Craig Thompson was nominated for the Educator Category of the
Beacon Leadership Award for his hard work and compassion in making Five
Rivers Environmental Education Center accessible to people with disabil-
ities; and
WHEREAS, Due to Craig Thompson's tireless efforts, two trails at the
center are wheelchair accessible and contain other universal design
elements; Braille, large print, and audio format guides are available at
the visitor center for each trail; in addition, plans are currently
underway to create wheelchair access to the water's edge for environ-
mental education programs; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Craig Thompson has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those individuals who are committed to enhancing the quality
of education in the State of New York, and which enable our community to
offer excellent environmental education programs to people with disabil-
ities in the most efficient manner; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Craig Thompson upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the Beacon Leadership Award by the Independent Living Center of the
Hudson Valley; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Craig Thompson.