LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending John Mizerak upon the occasion of his
designation by Ulster-Greene ARC as the recipient of its 2012 Humanita-
rian of the Year Award on May 18, 2012

WHEREAS, It is the practice 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 organiza-
tions, businesses, and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare
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
John Mizerak upon the occasion of his designation by Ulster-Greene ARC
as the recipient of its 2012 Humanitarian of the Year Award; and
WHEREAS, Ulster-Greene ARC was founded in 1956 by families who
insisted that their children with disabilities have the same opportu-
nities for schooling, vocational training and housing as anyone else
has; and
WHEREAS, These early pioneers established the first community-based
services for people with disabilities in Ulster and Greene Counties;
today, Ulster-Greene ARC is a not-for-profit agency which serves nearly
2000 people throughout the mid-Hudson and Catskill Mountains region who
have developmental delays or disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Each year Ulster-Greene ARC proudly honors outstanding
members of the Ulster-Greene ARC community and other members of the
community who give unselfishly of themselves to help make the lives of
others fulfilling, recognizing them for their dedication to the communi-
ty and their commitment to Ulster-Greene ARC's mission of offering
people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities opportu-
nities to live and experience full lives; and
WHEREAS, John Mizerak will be honored by Ulster-Greene ARC with the
2012 Humanitarian of the Year Award at its 31st Annual Humanitarian
Awards Dinner to be held on Friday, May 18, 2012, at the Wiltwyck Golf
Club, Kingston, New York in recognition and appreciation of his leader-
ship; and
WHEREAS, Now retiring, John Mizerak has, since 2003, served with
distinction as Director of the Taconic Developmental Disabilities
Services Office, a New York State affiliate of the Office for People
with Developmental Disabilities; previously, he was the Executive Direc-
tor of Gateway Industries and worked with the New York State Education
Department's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation; and
WHEREAS, Active in his profession and in his community, John Mizerak
has been President of the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce, the Rural
Ulster Preservation Company (R.U.P.C.O), and the Kingston Lions Club;
Vice President of the Kingston Hospital Board; and a member of the
Boards of the New York State Rehabilitation Association, the Ulster
County Federal Credit Union, and the Woodstock Golf Club, where, in
retirement, he will no doubt often be found; and
WHEREAS, John Mizerak has been a constant and humble supporter of
Ulster-Greene ARC for many years; as a dedicated community partner, he
has helped Ulster-Greene ARC and its programs to flourish, greatly
enriching the lives of countless others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
recognize John Mizerak for his unwavering commitment to Ulster-Greene
ARC as it provides an uncompromising standard of excellence in the
delivery of superlative service to the communities and citizens it so
ably serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble accomplishment are brought to our attention, 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
commend John Mizerak upon the occasion of his designation by Ulster-
Greene ARC as the recipient of its 2012 Humanitarian of the Year Award
on May 18, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Mizerak.