LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the recipients of the New York Associ-
ation of Homes & Services for the Aging's 2011 Long Term Care Employees
of Distinction Awards

WHEREAS, Employees of New York's not-for-profit, mission-driven and
public providers strive to improve the quality of life for New York's
elderly and chronically disabled, thereby meriting the highest commenda-
tion; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
congratulate the activity aides, certifies, nursing assistants, diet
aides, environmental services workers, housekeepers, housekeeping super-
visors, recreation therapy leaders, registered nurses, staff nurses and
support aides, who have been nominated by their peers, supervisors and
management personnel to receive this recognition; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1961, the New York Association of Homes & Services
for the Aging, under the leadership of James W. Clyne Jr., is the only
statewide organization representing the entire continuum of not-for-pro-
fit, mission-driven and public senior living and services, including
nursing homes, senior housing, adult care facilities, continuing care
retirement communities, assisted living providers and community service
providers; and
WHEREAS, The New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging's
more than 500 not-for-profit, mission-driven and public provider members
serve an estimated 500,000 New Yorkers of all ages annually; and
WHEREAS, The New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging's
Long Term Care Employee of Distinction program recognizes those who deal
with the staffing crisis in long term care on a daily basis while
successfully facing the challenge of providing quality care; and
WHEREAS, Recipients of recognition include: Janice Duchessi, Wilkinson
Residential Health Care Facility; Beth Litz, Van Rensselaer Manor Nurs-
ing Home; Mary Ellen Dougherty, St. Camillus Health & Rehabilitation
Center; Robin Leonard, United Helpers Maplewood; Brendan Daly, NYS
Veterans Home at Montrose; Coleman Hill, Kendal on Hudson; Melissa Lash-
er, The Community at Brookmeade; Lisa LaFountain, Adirondack Tri-County
Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Inc.; Laurie Gottlieb, Isabella Geria-
tric Center; Genia Thomas Collins, Beth Abraham Health Services; Donna
Asaro, Good Samaritan Nursing Home; Ernest Pizirusso, Our Lady of Conso-
lation Nursing & Rehabilitative Care Center; Nancy Guelzow, Park Ridge
Living Center; Eileen Needle, Episcopal SeniorLife Communities at Brent-
land Woods; Annette MacLeod, Chase Memorial Nursing Home; Karen Mayer,
United Methodist Homes - Saint Louise Manor; Jodie Branch Jeffrey,
Beechwood Continuing Care; Virginia Majewicz, Wayne County Nursing; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the men and women of New York State who, day after day, perform
their jobs in an exemplary manner making them worthy of recognition by
the New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging's 2011 Long
Term Care Employee of Distinction Awards; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the aforementioned honorees.