2015-J4509
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending RotaCare upon the occasion of hosting
its 22nd Annual Caregiver's Ball, and paying tribute to this year's
honorees
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
who have inspired and brought pride to our majestic Empire State with
their strong contributions to the community and model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
RotaCare upon the occasion of hosting its 22nd Annual Caregiver's Ball,
and paying tribute to this year's honorees to be celebrated on Thursday,
April 14, 2016, at the Cherry Valley Country Club, Garden City, New
York; and
WHEREAS, The 2016 honorees include: Mr. Gerard C. Keegan, Dr. Victor
F. Politi, and Dr. Drew Bogner, who each serve RotaCare in unique and
invaluable ways; and
WHEREAS, Gerard C. Keegan, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
for the Astoria Financial Corporation and Astoria Bank, is being honored
with the Distinguished Leader Excellence Award for his support of Rota-
Care as they work to facilitate quality health care to those in need;
under his leadership, Astoria Bank is committed to making a difference
to build better communities, and this support furthers that mission; and
WHEREAS, Victor F. Politi, MD, FACP, FACEP, President and Chief Execu-
tive Officer of the NuHealth System/Nassau University Medical Center is
receiving the Distinguished Community Service Award for his leadership
and support of RotaCare, offering private clinic space in the A. Holly
Patterson Rehabilitation Center, which enables treatment of the most
vulnerable patients to take place in a dignified and respectful atmos-
phere; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Drew Bogner, President of Molloy College, is receiving
the Paul Harris Award for his personal and professional support of Rota-
Care; Molloy College continues to support RotaCare in many ways, includ-
ing nursing faculty volunteers who provide primary care to those in need
and business students who have worked through their senior capstone
experience to support RotaCare in marketing and fundraising experiences;
and
WHEREAS, These remarkable men have given not only of their time and
energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently have been designated for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, RotaCare is run entirely by a rotating staff of 100 volunteer
physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, translators and
administrative staff, who care for approximately 800 patients each year
with a total of over 2,000 visits to their facility; and
WHEREAS, After 22 years, RotaCare, a non-profit organization, contin-
ues its mission to facilitate free health care for those who have the
most need and the least access to medical care; this vital mission is
accomplished by a dedicated volunteer staff and the financial contrib-
utions of organizations and individuals committed to making health care
available to all in need; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend RotaCare upon the occasion of hosting its 22nd Annual
Caregiver's Ball, and paying tribute to this year's honorees; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kathleen Lamaute, Ed.D., FNP, President of the Board of
Directors for RotaCare, and the aforementioned honorees.