Assembly Resolution No. 1251

BY: M. of A. Skoufis

HONORING John Robinson upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Dr. Henry Viscardi,
Jr. Advocacy Award on May 30, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those individuals within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to the disability community; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor John
Robinson upon the occasion of his designation as the 14th recipient of
the Annual Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award presented at the 2018
Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day sponsored by the New York State
Assembly Task Force on People with Disabilities and the New York State
Assembly Committee on Mental Health on Wednesday, May 30, 2018; and

WHEREAS, The Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award was created in
2005 to honor the late Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. for his lifelong
commitment to advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The tremendous efforts that John Robinson has made to
improve and enhance the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities are
worthy of this recognition; and

WHEREAS, In March of 2018, John Robinson was awarded the Capital
Region Chamber Champion of the Year in front of 1,000 New York business
leaders; and

WHEREAS, In 2014, John Robinson proudly accepted a National White
House Champions of Change for Disability Employment in Washington D.C.;
and

WHEREAS, Since 2011, John Robinson has served as managing partner,
CEO and Founder of Our Ability, which provides inclusive workforce and
employment consulting, mentoring, workshops, keynotes and seminars on
disability and diversity; and

WHEREAS, As Executive Director of the New York Business Leadership
Network, John Robinson builds coalitions among New York State businesses
interested in both hiring and building supplier diversity of businesses
owned by individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, John Robinson was the subject of "Get Off Your Knees: The
John Robinson Story," a public television documentary and Get Off Your
Knees: A Story of Faith, Courage, and Determination, an autobiography
published in 2009; and

WHEREAS, John Robinson has dedicated both his professional and
personal life to improving the lives of people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The initiatives that John Robinson strives to implement as
a passionate advocate for persons with disabilities mirror the
priorities that this Legislative Body has before us today, the New York
State Assembly Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day 2018; and


WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor John Robinson, a
leader and an advocate, recognizing his labors and the promise of his
future endeavors; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor John Robinson upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award by the New York State
Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to John Robinson.