Senate Resolution No. 750

BY: Senator HELMING

COMMENDING Kevin Smith upon the occasion of his
retirement after 36 years of dedicated service to
ARC of Seneca Cayuga

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 commend Kevin
Smith upon the occasion of his retirement after 36 years of dedicated
service to ARC of Seneca Cayuga; he will officially retire from his
position as Executive Director on June 30, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Born in Buffalo, New York, Kevin Smith grew up in Seneca
Falls and graduated from Mynderse Academy in 1973; he went on to earn a
degree in psychology from SUNY Oswego in 1977, before taking a summer
job at ARC of Ontario County; and

WHEREAS, Kevin Smith could have never imagined that this summer job
as a pre-vocational instructor in the sheltered workshop on North Street
would be the start of an illustrious career in the developmentally
disabled services field which has spanned nearly four decades; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Geneva, Kevin Smith left Ontario ARC in 1981,
to take a job as director of day treatment at ARC of Seneca, which was
later renamed ARC of Seneca Cayuga; he was elevated to executive
director in June of 1982, the esteemed position from which he will
retire; and

WHEREAS, ARC of Seneca Cayuga is a chapter of the New York State ARC
Inc., and a provider of services to people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Kevin Smith, ARC of Seneca
Cayuga has tremendously thrived and expanded; his steadfast and
unwavering dedication to this vital organization has truly been an
inspiration to all of those with whom he has worked; and

WHEREAS, During the distinguished tenure of Kevin Smith, ARC of
Seneca Cayuga has become one of the largest providers of services for
persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in the
Finger Lakes Region; its staff of more than 600 provides services to
nearly 1,200 residents and their families at 26 service sites in Seneca
and Cayuga counties; and

WHEREAS, Kevin Smith has most recently overseen a comprehensive
internal assessment process designed to strengthen the ability of the
agency to proactively position itself for the future; he has also worked

with the board and staff members to create and implement the agency's
next strategic plan, with a focus on sustainability and growth; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, Kevin Smith is active in
several state and local organizations; he served as chairman of the
Executive Directors Association of NYSARC and has overseen the
Collaborative of the Finger Lakes, a group of 13 ARC chapters that share
administrative services; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Kevin Smith has been on the board of the
United Way of Seneca County for eight years, two of which he served as
president; and

WHEREAS, For the past 36 years, Kevin Smith rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to ARC of Seneca Cayuga, earning the
admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Terri, and their
three children, as well as three grandchildren, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate
blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that
demonstrated by Kevin Smith over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication
to others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Kevin Smith upon the occasion of his retirement after 36 years
of dedicated service to ARC of Seneca Cayuga; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Kevin Smith.