Senate Resolution No. 1846

BY: Senator BRESLIN

CONGRATULATING Anne Erickson upon the occasion of
her retirement after 30 years of dedicated service
to the Empire Justice Center

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed
residents of this noble Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Anne Erickson upon the occasion of her retirement after 30
years of dedicated service to the Empire Justice Center, to be
celebrated on Tuesday, June 11, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Anne Erickson is President and CEO of Empire Justice
Center, an organization working to achieve social and economic justice
for people in New York State who are poor, disabled or disenfranchised;
and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary woman began her illustrious career with
the Empire Justice Center in 1989 as a policy analyst and legislative
coordinator; in 2000, she was promoted to President, the esteemed
position from which she will retire; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, Anne Erickson has overseen the
transformation of the organization, guiding its merger with the Public
Interest Law Office of Rochester, expanding its White Plains office and
opening a new office on Long Island; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, she has put together a solid management team
and has strategically combined the two organizations, aligning staff
into five major practice groups: Consumer, Housing, C.A.S.H. and
Community Development; Civil Rights, Education and Employment;
Disability Benefits; Immigrants and Immigrant Rights; and Public
Benefits, Health and Family; and

WHEREAS, Anne Erickson provides statewide leadership in efforts to
strengthen and improve access to justice and to expand funding for civil
legal services; she is the former chair of the Equal Justice Commission
and helped lead the LSC-driven state planning efforts in New York State;
and

WHEREAS, Additionally, Anne Erickson was an adjunct instructor for
the Center for Women in Government's graduate Fellowship program for
many years, offering an intense course on the practical workings of
state government, the development of the state budget and the
interactions between and among the various branches of state government;
and

WHEREAS, Before entering the world of advocacy, Anne Erickson was a
journalist, working as the first legislative correspondent for
WAMC-Northeast Public Radio, providing daily coverage of state

government and politics and developing and hosting a weekly half-hour
news show, "The Legislative Gazette"; and

WHEREAS, Anne Erickson holds degrees in both English/Journalism and
Political Science from SUNY New Paltz; she is the proud recipient of
Empire Justice Center's 2019 Celebration of Leadership Award; and

WHEREAS, For the past 30 years, Anne Erickson rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to the Empire Justice Center, earning
the admiration, esteem and affection of her colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate
blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that
demonstrated by Anne Erickson over a lifetime of sacrifice and
dedication to others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Anne Erickson upon the occasion of her retirement after 30
years of dedicated service to the Empire Justice Center; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Anne Erickson.