Senate Resolution No. 4378

BY: Senator O'MARA

COMMEMORATING the 70th Anniversary of Racker on
March 1, 2018

WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations devoted to improving the
quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and
self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and

WHEREAS, From time to time, society calls upon these individuals and
organizations to be recognized for the significance of their
contributions and efforts to assist others in developing the skills
necessary to be successful, productive citizens; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
70th Anniversary of Racker on March 1, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Racker is a voluntary not-for-profit organization dedicated
to creating opportunities for people with disabilities and their
families; and

WHEREAS, On March 1, 1948, the State of New York awarded a
certificate of incorporation to what was then known as the Cerebral
Palsy Association of the Ithaca Area, Inc., to ensure support, raise
awareness of and provide services to individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The spirit and pioneering leadership of long-time medical
director Dr. Franziska Racker inspired a 1999 renaming of the
organization to the Franziska Racker Centers; her holistic and
strength-based approach to serving people with disabilities became the
agency's guiding philosophy; and

WHEREAS, On Friday, January 5, 2018, the organization's name was
once again changed; it was renamed Racker to continue in honoring the
legacy of Dr. Racker as a compassionate leader and champion of human
rights; and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, Racker supports people with
disabilities and their families to lead fulfilling lives by providing
opportunities to learn and to be connected with others; and

WHEREAS, Racker currently serves over 3,000 individuals and their
families with approximately 200,000 individual services from its main
service areas: Early Childhood, Clinical, Mental Health, Community
Support, Residential and the organization's Learning Initiative; and

WHEREAS, With over 30 sites in Tompkins, Cortland, and Tioga
Counties, Racker employs more than 750 people, making this vital
organization one of the largest in the area; and

WHEREAS, Licensed by five state agencies, Racker offers a range of
services for people of all ages including: preschool special education,
clinical therapies, mental health treatment programs, residential
opportunities, and community support services; and

WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 70-year history, Racker has
demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities which
it serves; and

WHEREAS, The success of Racker is in direct correlation to the
efforts of its staff, whose involvement is, and always has been,
characterized by an impressive 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 Racker; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals 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
commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Racker on March 1, 2018; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Racker, Ithaca, New York.