LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the New York Memory Center and the
Alzheimer's Poetry Project upon the occasion of launching New York
State's First Memory Arts Cafe

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 those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the New York Memory Center and the Alzheimer's Poetry Project upon the
occasion of launching New York State's First Memory Arts Cafe on Wednes-
day, June 13, 2012, at the New York Memory Center in Brooklyn, New York;
and
WHEREAS, Memory Arts Cafe is a new series of free art events for
people living with Alzheimer's disease, their caregivers and the general
public, and is co-produced by New York Memory Center and the Alzheimer's
Poetry Project; and
WHEREAS, The series takes place on the second Wednesday of each month
and includes light refreshments and the opportunity to chat with the
guest artists; and
WHEREAS, The inaugural Memory Arts Cafe event will feature jazz singer
Louise Rogers and pianist Mark Kross as they perform well-known jazz
standards and lead the audience in the creation of a new song; poet Gary
Glazner will host the event; and
WHEREAS, Building on the Alzheimer's Cafe movement in Europe started
in 1997 by Dr. Bere Miesen, the Memory Arts Cafe expands that social
model and places the creativity of people navigating cognitive impair-
ment at the core of this innovative arts project; and
WHEREAS, The goal of the Alzheimer's Cafe is to provide education,
empowerment and energy, offering residents of Brooklyn living with memo-
ry loss and their caregivers a place for personal enrichment; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1983, the mission of New York Memory Center is to
help older adults who have cognitive, physical, and emotional limita-
tions, to maintain or improve their level of functioning so that they
may enjoy their later years at home and within the community; and
WHEREAS, Gary Glazner founded the Alzheimer's Poetry Project (APP) in
2004; the APP was awarded the 2012 MetLife Foundation Creativity and
Aging in America Leadership Award in the category of Community Engage-
ment; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions 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 the New York Memory Center and the Alzheimer's Poetry Project
upon the occasion of launching New York State's First Memory Arts Cafe;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Christopher S. Nadeau, Executive Director of the New York
Memory Center, and Gary Glazner, Executive Director of the Alzheimer's
Poetry Project.