LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Hal A. Lawson upon the occasion of
being selected to receive the 2014 University at Albany President's
Award for Exemplary Community Engagement on April 25, 2014

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 organiza-
tions and 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 Dr.
Hal A. Lawson, Professor, School of Social Welfare and School of Educa-
tion, University at Albany, upon the occasion of being selected to
receive the 2014 University at Albany President's Award for Exemplary
Community Engagement, which was celebrated at an Award Ceremony at the
University at Albany, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed award honors University at Albany-community
partnerships which are enhancing public well-being in the Capital Region
and beyond; their community engagement is a collaboration between higher
education institutions and external partners in the mutually beneficial
exchange of knowledge and resources to address areas of public need; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious academic career, Dr. Hal A. Lawson
has focused on academically-based community scholarship, generating
community-engaged research to address urgent social needs, advance theo-
ry, and improve outcomes for vulnerable people; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hal A. Lawson's work is richly interdisciplinary, cover-
ing a broad range of topics to improve public policy, organizational
redesign, new workforce configurations, and social interventions; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hal A. Lawson's extensive scholarship includes a federal-
ly-funded, state-wide research and development project to remodel child
welfare systems; a University at Albany School of Public Health study
funded by the National Institutes of Health to use community-based
participatory action research to reduce childhood obesity in Troy, New
York; a research and development initiative sponsored by the New York
State Education Department focused on improving persistently under-per-
forming schools and districts, and innovative designs for multi-service
and community schools, in the cities of Albany and Schenectady; and
WHEREAS, Partners on various efforts have included: Capital Area
School Development Association; Albany Institute for Research in Educa-
tion; Commission on Economic Opportunity, Troy, New York; New York State
Education Department; New York State Office of Child and Family
Services; New York State Social Work Education Consortium; and many
regional school districts, including Cohoes and Cobleskill-Richmond-
ville; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that when indi-
viduals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Hal A. Lawson upon the occasion of being selected to receive
the 2014 University at Albany President's Award for Exemplary Community
Engagement on April 25, 2014; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Hal A. Lawson.