LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Maria Pico upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition by the Ambassador for Christ Inter-
national Outreach Ministry and Gateway Christian Center on Sunday, May
4, 2014

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons who
provide exemplary service, whether through participation in voluntary
programs, through unique personal achievement in their profession or
other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of good citizenship; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Maria Pico
upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the
Ambassador for Christ International Outreach Ministry and Gateway Chris-
tian Center at its 4th Annual Pastors and Women of Distinction Appreci-
ation Awards Gala on Sunday, May 4, 2014, at Floral Terrace, Floral
Park, New York; and
WHEREAS, Maria Pico is being recognized for her exemplary work and
commitment to her community, which serves to empower others; and
WHEREAS, For more than two decades, Maria Pico has led community-based
programs aimed at improving health outcomes and health promotion in
vulnerable populations; she is currently the Borough Manager for the
Manhattan Smoke-Free Partnership, part of the NYC Coalition for a Smoke-
Free City and a program of Public Health Solutions; and
WHEREAS, In this capacity, Maria Pico works to advance tobacco control
policies and fosters community partnership in the borough of Manhattan,
including work on tobacco retail reduction to protect the youth from
tobacco marketing and promoting healthy living through smoke-free hous-
ing; and
WHEREAS, Prior to her role as Borough Manager, Maria Pico has worked
in the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Mayor's Office of
Health Insurance Access (MOHIA), Pan American Health Organization in
Washington D.C. (PAHO/WHO) and the American Heart Association/American
Stroke Association (AHA/ASA); and
WHEREAS, During her time at PAHO/WHO, Maria Pico worked on a three
country project in Brazil, Mexico and Chile aimed at implementing
evidence-based community interventions to reduce childhood obesity; she
also led public and private partnerships which helped thousands of
eligible but uninsured New Yorkers enroll in public health insurance
programs during her tenure with MOHIA; and
WHEREAS, Maria Pico holds a Master's degree in Health Services Manage-
ment and Public Policy from the New School University; she is also a
founding board member of the Ecuadorian International Center, Inc. and
the Luz C. Colon Memorial Fund; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Maria Pico upon the occasion of her designation for special recog-
nition by the Ambassador for Christ International Outreach Ministry and
Gateway Christian Center on Sunday, May 4, 2014, noting her unremitting
and compassionate faith and her exemplary service to God, man, and her
community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Maria Pico.