Senate Resolution No. 1233

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Jon Lemelin, Esq. upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the Friend of the
Legal Project Award by The Legal Project on April
26, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention
to the dedicated efforts of those legal professionals from across the
State of New York who volunteer their time and energies in service to
the community; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Jon Lemelin, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Friend of the Legal Project Award by The Legal Project, to be
celebrated at its Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 26, 2019, at The
Century House, Latham, New York; and

WHEREAS, Founded by the Capital District Women's Bar Association in
1995, The Legal Project is a private, not-for-profit organization which
provides a variety of free and low cost legal services to the working
poor, victims of domestic violence and other underserved individuals in
the Capital District of New York State; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious award honors an individual or group who has
gone beyond the call of duty to provide service or support to assist The
Legal Project in helping those in need; Jon Lemelin is one such
individual; and

WHEREAS, Jon Lemelin joined The Legal Project as a volunteer
immigration paralegal in March of 2018; working under the supervision of
an immigration attorney, he has conducted client interviews and drafted
a variety of immigration-related applications; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he led the data team for the Detention
Outreach Project, which helped represent asylum-seekers who were
detained at the Albany County Jail; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Jon Lemelin is currently working on a project to help develop
immigration-related training for the Albany County Sheriff's Department;
and

WHEREAS, Prior to joining The Legal Project, Jon Lemelin was a
volunteer at the United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants;
and

WHEREAS, Jon Lemelin received a Bachelor of Science degree in
engineering from the University of Connecticut in 1984; he went on to
earn a Master's degree in Business Administration from UCLA in 1989; and

WHEREAS, Pro bono work by skilled professionals is an essential
element of all societies; it provides a way in which the human values of
community, caring and serving can be sustained and strengthened; and


WHEREAS, This vital legal service promotes family and community
solidarity; most importantly, attorneys who volunteer their time in
civic and charitable endeavors inspire others to the call of
volunteerism; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals 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
honor Jon Lemelin, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Friend of the Legal Project Award by The Legal Project
on April 26, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jon Lemelin, Esq.