LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Donna Lamkin upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Distinguished Career Award by the
Women's Business Council of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of
Commerce

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 distin-
guished 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 honor
Donna Lamkin upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Distinguished Career Award by the Women's Business Council of the Alba-
ny-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce, to be celebrated on Thursday,
May 30, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Donna Lamkin is receiving this special award for her support
of, and service to the Women's Business Council of the Albany-Colonie
Regional Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, After earning a BA degree in English from Douglass College
(Rutgers University), Donna Lamkin received a Master's Degree in Social
Work from Simmons College; following a few years with what is now the
Division for Youth, she joined the faculty at the University at Albany's
School of Social Welfare as an Assistant Professor where she taught
graduate and undergraduate human behavior and social work practice
courses, as well as establishing field placement settings within the
Albany Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Donna Lamkin was at UAlbany for 10 years, then became the
Program Director at St. Anne Institute in Albany, and in 1983 accepted a
social work consultant position with Residential Opportunities, Inc.
(ROI) for two hours per week; having a child with Down Syndrome, the
position with ROI, an agency serving people with developmental disabili-
ties, was her entrance into that field professionally; and
WHEREAS, Not long after joining ROI, Donna Lamkin was offered a full
time position heading up clinical services, then moved through various
positions, eventually becoming Associate Executive Director; in 2000,
ROI merged with the Center for the Disabled to form what is now the
Center for Disability Services, the largest provider of comprehensive
services for children and adults with disabilities in the upstate
region; currently the Chief Program Officer, Donna Lamkin is responsible
for the Center's programs and services; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her children Lauren, Todd and
his wife Amy, Susan, JoAnn and Robert as well as her grandchildren, Evan
and Ashley, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and
rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, Donna Lamkin's distinguished record merits the recognition
and respectful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Donna Lamkin upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Distinguished Career Award by the Women's Business Council of the
Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Donna Lamkin.