Senate Resolution No. 177

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Clifton Perez upon the occasion of being
named a 2018 Distinguished Alumnus by the Hudson
Valley Community College Foundation and Alumni
Association on September 22, 2018

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging
its esteemed residents who have distinguished themselves in their
profession and in their community; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Clifton Perez upon the occasion of being named a 2018 Distinguished
Alumnus by the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation and Alumni
Association to be celebrated at its Alumni Awards Brunch on Homecoming
Weekend, Saturday, September 22, 2018, at the Bulmer Telecommunications
Center, Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York; and

WHEREAS, Growing up legally blind never stopped Cilfton "Cliff"
Perez from setting big goals or achieving them; for 33 years, he has
used his confidence to inspire others as an advocate for people with
disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Clifton Perez's fight for advocacy and equal treatment
began when he was a student at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) in
the late 1970s; as the first legally blind student to attend the
college, he impressed his professors and fellow students by joining the
track team; he was also a sports photographer for the student newspaper,
the Hudsonian; and

WHEREAS, Clifton Perez's influence helped bring about the first
Office of Disabled Student Services at HVCC; today, this office has
evolved into the Center for Access and Assistive Technology, which
serves more than 650 students with disabilities each semester; and

WHEREAS, After graduation, Clifton Perez furthered his education by
earning his master's degree in social work from the State University of
New York at Stony Brook; and

WHEREAS, Clifton Perez's success has been a victory not only for
himself, but for the countless others he has helped; as the systems
advocate for the Troy-based Independent Living Center of the Hudson
Valley (ILCHV), he fights on behalf of people with disabilities for
legislation and awareness on issues in transportation, employment,
voting, housing, and more; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable man has served on nearly 40 boards and
committees dedicated to the cause, including National Council on
Independent Living (NCIL), New York Association on Independent Living
(NYAIL), and the New York State Human Rights Commission Advisory
Council; and

WHEREAS, Clifton Perez was involved with the passage of, and became
a federally certified trainer on, the Americans with Disabilities Act

(ADA), and has served on various ADA committees; he continues to educate
others on rights for people with disabilities through numerous seminars
and trainings; he has spoken everywhere from high school classrooms to
the White House, and has written extensively on the topic for news
outlets and publications around the Capital Region and beyond; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to securing
the rights of individuals with disabilities, Clifton Perez was the
recipient of more than 12 awards and accolades; most recently, he was
inducted into the NYSILC NYS Disability Rights Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Clifton Perez truly believes "When we the people make
society accessible for and by people with disabilities, we will have an
accessible society for all;" furthermore, he "believes strongly that if
we can help people with disabilities have access to society, it will
help everybody"; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, 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 Clifton Perez upon the occasion of being named a 2018
Distinguished Alumnus by the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation
and Alumni Association on September 22, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Clifton Perez.