Assembly Resolution No. 569

BY: M. of A. Angelino

COMMEMORATING the 40th Anniversary of the Southern
Tier Independence Center of Binghamton, New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of the Legislative Body to recognize those
established organizations within our communities that, year after year,
diligently work to improve the quality of life for its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Southern Tier Independence
Center of Binghamton, New York; and

WHEREAS, Co-founded by Maria Dibble and Frank Pennisi, Southern Tier
Independence Center (STIC) is an independent living center serving
children and adults with all types of disabilities and promotes the
independence, integration and inclusion of people with disabilities in
all aspects of community life including employment, recreation, housing,
education, volunteering, and civil responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, STIC also provides support, consultation, training and
services to families, businesses, agencies and others in its community;
and

WHEREAS, The current Executive Director and totally blind from
birth, Maria Dibble has experienced the discrimination and false
assumptions that people make when meeting a person with a disability,
underestimating what they can do, or even completely dismissing it;
nevertheless, she was integrated into regular schools as a child, and is
a graduate of Binghamton University, and she understands the issues
faced by children and their families; and

WHEREAS, STIC has grown from its humble beginnings with a grant of
$100,000 and four employees to a budget of $17 million and about 750
employees, all dedicated to the independence of people with
disabilities, and advocating for their civil and economic rights; and

WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to STIC and
those with disabilities, Maria Dibble was inducted into the NYS
Disability Rights Hall of Fame in 2019 and was the recipient of the
David Veatch Advocacy Award from the New York Association on Independent
Living (NYAIL); and

WHEREAS, In addition, STIC's cofounder and retired Disability Rights
and Accessibility Director Frank Pennisi, and its current Advocacy
Director Susan Ruff were also awarded the David Veatch Advocacy Award
from NYAIL for their relentless advocacy even on seemingly hopeless
issues; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, STIC has supported many issues and
legislation including the ADA, Consumer Directed Personal Assistance
Program, the development of the Traumatic Brain Injury and Nursing Home
Transition and Diversion Waivers, election reform, and polling place
accessibility; and


WHEREAS, The success of STIC 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 when
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
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Southern Tier Independence
Center of Binghamton, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Maria Dibble, Executive Director, Southern Tier
Independence Center.