Senate Resolution No. 1201

BY: Senator COMRIE

COMMENDING United Adult Ministries upon the
occasion of hosting its Annual Gala, and paying
tribute to this year's honorees on May 9, 2019

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

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
organizations and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare
of the senior community; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend United Adult Ministries upon the occasion of hosting its Annual
Gala, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees on Thursday, May 9,
2019, at Leonard's Palazzo in Great Neck, New York; and

WHEREAS, This year's honorees are: The Flushing House, Resident
Counsel Members, Leadership in the Community Award; John Lam of JW
Pharmacy, Service in the Community Award; The Flushing Rotary Club,
Advocate for Older Adults Award; and Dr. Amy Kuo, Taiwan Union Christian
Church, Older Adult Ministry Award; and

WHEREAS, Since 1916, United Adult Ministries has offered older
adults hope through expanding opportunities and practical services to
live confidently in today's world; and

WHEREAS, United Adult Ministries was established by Mrs. W.G.
Clark-Duff, Mrs. George W. Arms, Mrs. George Moore, Mrs. Charles
Rasweiler and Mrs. Hans Popper, who led eight Presbyterian women to
begin caring for 12 mothers widowed by World War I, as well as the
elderly in their neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, In 1933, this vital organization purchased the Presbyterian
Guest House in Brooklyn to better serve the community, and in 1940, they
obtained the Brooklyn Home for Girls to expand their ministry; 15 years
later, residents from Brooklyn moved to the old Syosset mansion, which
became the United Presbyterian Residence; and

WHEREAS, After a fire destroyed the First Congregational Church of
Flushing, UPR's board of directors began looking for a place to provide
housing to older adults who could live independently; a partnership was
forged between the Presbyterian and Reformed churches, and in 1974,
ground was broken on Brown Street and construction of the Flushing House
Senior Retirement Residence began; and

WHEREAS, Flushing House opened its doors to the public for the first
time in 1975; today, it is the largest not-for-profit, Independent
Living retirement community in New York State, housing over 300 older

adults; the 12-story, 319-unit residence was cited by New York Magazine
as the biggest independent-living residence on their list of the 20 most
highly recommended elder-care facilities in the five boroughs; and

WHEREAS, In 1983, UPR's board established a second service line,
United Lifeline, which has become a leading personal emergency response
service offering peace of mind, confidence and security to older adults
in the Long Island and New York metropolitan area; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, UPR was sold to Winthrop University Hospital, and
the board was reorganized and incorporated as United Presbyterian and
Reformed Adult Ministries (UPRAM), so it could continue to independently
operate Flushing House and United Lifeline; and

WHEREAS, In 2000, United Home Services was launched to enhance the
quality of life for individuals with disabilities and adults 55 and up,
who could take advantage of low cost, reliable repair and maintenance
services; and

WHEREAS, In that same year, UPRAM simplified its name to United
Adult Ministries and developed a new corporate logo, making it easy to
remember and appealing to a broader audience; and

WHEREAS, The success of United Adult Ministries is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its CEO Douglas Kurtz, and his 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 institution and
the community it serves; 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
commend United Adult Ministries upon the occasion of hosting its Annual
Gala, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees on May 9, 2019; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Douglas Kurtz, CEO, United Adult Ministries, and the
aforementioned honorees.