Senate Resolution No. 1394

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, Hudson River Estuary
Program upon the occasion of its designation as
recipient of the Beacon Leadership Award by the
Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Inc.
on May 14, 2019

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 community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Hudson
River Estuary Program upon the occasion of its designation as recipient
of the Beacon Leadership Award by the Independent Living Center of the
Hudson Valley, Inc. to be celebrated at its 25th Annual Dessert
Spectacular on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at the Franklin Plaza Ballroom in
Troy, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley (ILCHV)
is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with
disabilities lead happy and fulfilling lives; rooted in a philosophy of
self-determination, the Center offers many services including advocacy,
peer counseling, and facilitates access to housing and employment
opportunities; and

WHEREAS, The Beacon Leadership Award is granted annually to those
individuals and businesses which have demonstrated their commitment to
the rights of persons with disabilities; the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Hudson River Estuary Program has
truly helped make its community a more welcoming place for people with
disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The NYSDEC's Hudson River Estuary Program has been
promoting access to the Hudson River since 1987; in recent years,
Coordinator Fran Dunwell and Assistant Public Information Officer Nancy
Beard have turned their attention to making these state and local access
sites more accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities;
and

WHEREAS, Through the tireless efforts of many, the Hudson River
Estuary Program has strived to make a difference for everyone who wants
to fish, boat, swim, or just be near the river to watch wildlife or
simply enjoy the views and spend some time by the water through various
programs such as the Hudson River Accessibility Project, which worked
with disability agencies to assess 18 access sites along the Hudson
River, followed up with training for local municipalities and managers
of the sites to become more aware of ADA standards; and

WHEREAS, The Hudson River Program has provided grants to localities
to enhance access, including the Rensselaer Land Trust to inventory
public access sites along the river County-wide and create an access
plan for shoreline communities, the Town of Bethlehem to create an
accessible boat launch and fishing pier, and South Street Seaport Museum
which is developing tactile interpretive signage, maps and
multi-language tactile guidebooks for visually impaired visitors; and

WHEREAS, In addition, the Hudson River Estuary Program installed an
accessible kayak launch dock at the Haverstraw Bay County Park; and

WHEREAS, The success of the NYSDEC, Hudson River Estuary Program 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 institution and the community it serves;
and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
organizations which enhance the well-being and vitality of their
community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence
certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
Hudson River Estuary Program upon the occasion of its designation as
recipient of the Beacon Leadership Award by the Independent Living
Center of the Hudson Valley, Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Fran Dunwell, Coordinator, and Nancy Beard, Assistant
Public Information Officer, New York State Environmental Conservation,
Hudson River Estuary Program.