Senate Resolution No. 1402

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

CONGRATULATING Earnestine Williams upon the
occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles that they play in today's society;
their past contributions and current participation are vital to the
fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of the Representatives of the State of New
York to honor and pay tribute to those outstanding individuals who have
helped build and shape this Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Earnestine Williams upon the occasion of her 100th Birthday
to be celebrated with a party held in her honor at the Syracuse Senior
Companion Program offices at 187 Northern Concourse in Syracuse, New
York, on Wednesday, April 19, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Earnestine, who was born and raised as Earnestine Michael
in Syracuse, married her late husband, Lonzo Williams, in 1938; and

WHEREAS, Earnestine Williams had 11 children in all; five boys and
four girls are living today; Earnestine also worked at the former Syroco
Plant, where she helped design decorative wood products and plastic wall
decorations; and

WHEREAS, Desiring to help others within her community, Earnestine
Williams joined the Senior Companion Program through the New York State
Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) in Syracuse in
1980; and

WHEREAS, Since the program's inception on April 21, 1980, Earnestine
Williams has dedicated countless volunteer hours to supporting adults
with developmental disabilities, especially at the Fair Lakes Day
Habilitation Center; Earnestine volunteers from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Monday
through Thursday, every week, providing her clients with meals and
companionship, as well as regularly reading to them; and

WHEREAS, As a Senior Companion, Earnestine Williams has developed
long-term friendships with many of those she supports including Danny,
Diane, Anna and Tommy; and

WHEREAS, The OPWDD describes Earnestine Williams as a volunteer who
cares for people as if they were members of her own family, always
giving them her undivided, unhurried attention; and

WHEREAS, Earnestine Williams has even encouraged her family to get
involved in OPWDD's Senior Companion Program; currently, three of her
adult children and a daughter-in-law participate in the volunteer
program; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her dedicated volunteer work, Earnestine
Williams, at the young age of 100, continues to attend church every
Sunday and plays Bingo every week with her friends and family; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have
witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and
awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while
themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Earnestine Williams upon the occasion of celebrating her
100th Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Earnestine Williams.