LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center
upon the occasion of celebrating the 20th Anniversary of its Zachary and
Elizabeth Fisher House

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
achievements of those facilities and organizations which substantially
contribute to the health, comfort and well-being of the people of the
Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, this Legislative Body wishes to commend the
efforts of organizations and facilities which provide much needed and
essential support services for the families of hospitalized veterans,
and serve to enhance the quality of life for those veterans and their
families; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center upon the occasion of celebrating
the 20th Anniversary of its Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher House on Thurs-
day, June 25, 2015, in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, The first Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher House was built by the
Fishers in 1990 at the Bethesda National Naval Medical Center; since
then, Fisher Houses throughout the country have served nearly 70,000
visiting families of Veterans hospitalized at military healthcare facil-
ities for long-term therapies or treatments; and
WHEREAS, Fisher House is truly a home-away-from-home for families of
hospitalized veterans or veterans who are in the area to visit a hospi-
talized member of their immediate family; also welcome to stay at the
Fisher House are veterans, undergoing an extended episode of outpatient
therapy, who are able to care for their own personal needs or are accom-
panied by a caretaker; and
WHEREAS, Samuel S. Stratton Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center at Albany is proud to be the first VA Medical Center in the
Nation selected as a site for the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher House; it
is truly a measure of the quality of care given at this vital institu-
tion that the Fishers chose this medical center to pioneer support to
veterans and their families; and
WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 20 year history, the Zachary and
Elizabeth Fisher House of Albany has demonstrated continuous and unwav-
ering service to the veterans, residents and communities which it
serves; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher House is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its dedicated staff and volunteers,
whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impres-
sive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard
of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the
community it serves; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this
Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the Stratton VA Medical
Center Fisher House in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center upon the occasion of cele-
brating the 20th Anniversary of its Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher House;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Linda W. Weiss, Director, Albany Stratton VA Medical Center.