LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Maryanne Arena upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Constance E. Miller Award of Excellence
by the Mental Health Association of Genesee County

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, Maryanne Arena has given not only of her time and energies
but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Maryanne Arena
upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Constance E.
Miller Award of Excellence by the Mental Health Association of Genesee
County, to be celebrated at Terry Hills in Batavia, New York, on Tues-
day, May 10, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Constance E. Miller Award of Excellence is given annually
to an individual or an organization that demonstrates a commitment to
excellence pertinent to the delivery and/or advocacy of quality communi-
ty-based mental health services within Genesee County; and
WHEREAS, Maryanne Arena was chosen for this auspicious award due to
her significant willingness to partner with the Mental Health Associ-
ation in order to raise her students' awareness of mental health
concerns as well as her diligent efforts to use the theatre as a tool to
bring mental health issues to the forefront; and
WHEREAS, A Director of Fine and Performing Arts at Genesee Community
College, Maryanne Arena directed several productions that deal with
mental health matters as their central theme; and
WHEREAS, Productions delivered by Maryanne Arena in an effort to chal-
lenge the audiences' preconceptions include "Cavelife", "One Flew Over
the Cuckoo's Nest", Dale Wasserman's adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel,
and "In the Blood"; and
WHEREAS, While preparing her students for an upcoming role, Maryanne
Arena requires they conduct research on the daily issues and challenges
faced by their characters; she also encourages them to understand their
characters' unique view of the world, thereby utilizing this opportunity
as a teaching tool to increase her students' understanding of mental
health concerns; and
WHEREAS, Maryanne Arena 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, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Maryanne Arena 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 Maryanne Arena has displayed
throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Maryanne Arena upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Constance E. Miller Award of Excellence by the Mental Health
Association of Genesee County; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Maryanne Arena.