LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Sister Roberta Smith upon the occasion
of her designation as a Franciscan Award Honoree on April 21, 2012

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, Sister Roberta Smith has given not only of her time and ener-
gies but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and conse-
quently has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Sister
Roberta Smith upon the occasion of her designation as a Franciscan Award
Honoree, to be celebrated at the 31st Annual Franciscan Award Gala on
Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie, New York;
and
WHEREAS, Sister Roberta Smith has been called upon to contribute her
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Sister Roberta Smith graduated with master's degrees from the
College of New Rochelle and Maryknoll School of Theology; and
WHEREAS, Influenced by the Sisters of Saint Francis at an early age,
Sister Roberta Smith began studies of the Franciscan life in September
of 1963, taking her final vows in September of 1971; and
WHEREAS, First missioned to various ministries within the Archdiocese
of New York, Sister Roberta Smith was elected as a general minister of
the Hastings congregation in Hastings-on-Hudson; and
WHEREAS, In 2004 and 2008, Sister Roberta Smith was elected to the
leadership team of the new congregation of the Sisters of Saint Francis
of the Neumann Communities; and
WHEREAS, For ten years, Sister Roberta Smith has led Saint Francis
Hospital as chair of the board of trustees, playing an integral role in
the completion of a major capital campaign and the renovation and expan-
sion of the Trauma and Emergency Services Center; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her work at Saint Francis, Sister Roberta
Smith holds leadership roles in various nonprofit organizations, most
notably as vice chair of the Hastings Health System, the parent corpo-
ration of Saint Francis Hospital and Health Centers; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Sister Roberta Smith has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Sister Roberta Smith has displayed
throughout her life; 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Sister Roberta Smith upon the occasion of her designation as a
Franciscan Award Honoree on April 21, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sister Roberta Smith.