LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club
upon the occasion of celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the National
Exchange Club on March 27, 2011

WHEREAS, Organizations which serve the interests of the people of this
Empire State merit the commendation of this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to recognize and
commend the Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club upon the occasion of
celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the National Exchange Club, to be
observed by Exchange Clubs nationwide on Sunday, March 27, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The National Exchange Club (NEC) has proudly served the
interests of the people of the Empire State for 100 dedicated years; it
is an all-volunteer, national service organization which serves the
needs of the country as well as the local communities, making it the
country's oldest American service organization; and
WHEREAS, The NEC is made up of more than 800 clubs and nearly 28,000
members throughout the United States and Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of its President, Ron Sciandra,
the Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club's principal areas of service
include youth, Americanism, and community service, with a main focus on
child abuse prevention; and
WHEREAS, The original Exchange Club was founded in Detroit, Michigan,
in 1911; two years later the Exchange Club of Toledo, Ohio, was formed,
followed by Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Cleveland, Ohio; these four
clubs were the first to be chartered by the National Exchange Club after
it was organized as a non-profit, educational organization in 1917; and
WHEREAS, Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, the NEC's main objective is to
help Exchange Clubs realize their full potential of community service
with its focal point on Child Abuse Prevention; and
WHEREAS, To date, the NEC Foundation and its exchange club centers
have helped more than 140,000 children and 100,000 families eliminate
child abuse in their daily lives; and
WHEREAS, NEC's nationwide effort to prevent child abuse is by address-
ing this serious affliction of society through a variety of proven
projects; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Exchange Clubs have established a nationwide
network of Child Abuse Prevention Centers; the Centers utilize profes-
sionally trained volunteer parent aides who work directly with abusers,
teaching them positive parenting techniques; and
WHEREAS, The Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club distributes community
awareness materials, sponsors fundraising efforts, supports local child
abuse prevention agencies, and engages in numerous other activities in
an effort to alleviate child abuse; and
WHEREAS, In so effectively carrying out its mission, Erie-Niagara
Sunrise Exchange Club has been unselfishly serving its communities and
improving the quality of life; the diverse array of its programs and
projects have made a considerable impact on New Yorkers, enhancing the
lives of countless men, women, and children; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club upon the occasion of cele-
brating the 100th Anniversary of the National Exchange Club on March 27,
2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ron Sciandra, President of Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange
Club, Tonawanda, New York.