LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sister Jeanne Andre Brendel upon the
occasion of her induction into the Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Sister Jeanne Andre Brendel upon the occasion of her induction into the
Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame, to be celebrated on Sunday, February
5, 2012, at Carlyle on the Green in Bethpage, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame was founded shortly
after the United Nation's International Year of Volunteers 2001; a
coalition of local persons and agencies came together to commemorate
volunteerism on Long Island as part of this international effort; and
WHEREAS, Harvest Houses is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization
with residences for well-elders in Syosset, Floral Park and Lake Grove,
Long Island, New York; its concept grew from an idea developed by Sister
Jeanne Andre Brendel, O.P. Sisters of St. Dominic, Amityville; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, Sister Jeanne Andre Brendel was Director of an
Outreach Program in Nassau County where she witnessed many cases of
seniors living alone and suffering from isolation and deterioration; one
particularly tragic case involved an 85 year-old gentleman, living alone
and dying of malnutrition; Sister Jeanne believed the cause of death was
not lack of food, but loneliness; and
WHEREAS, Case after case demonstrated the acute needs of senior citi-
zens and verified the prevalence of a critical reality, the lack of
options in housing for the elderly; as people aged, they often were no
longer able to physically and financially care for their homes; it was
estimated that the average waiting time for County Senior Citizen apart-
ments was eight to ten years; and
WHEREAS, From 1978 to 1985, Sister Jeanne Andre Brendel searched for a
location, raised funds and overcame antiquated zoning laws that eventu-
ally led to a US Supreme Court decision; in 1985, the Supreme Court
enabled the establishment of the first family shared-housing model for
the elderly on Long Island; and
WHEREAS, Harvest Houses first opened its doors in Syosset in 1985,
followed by Lake Grove in 1990, and Floral Park in 1998; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Sister Jeanne Andre Brendel's
distinguished record merits the recognition and respectful tribute of
this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Sister Jeanne Andre Brendel upon the occasion of her induction
into the Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sister Jeanne Andre Brendel.