LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Ellen Burstyn upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition by the Rockland Family Shelter on
May 2, 2010

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 individ-
uals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citi-
zenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Ellen Burstyn upon the occasion of her designation for special recogni-
tion by the Rockland Family Shelter at its 11th Annual Distinguished
Citizen Award Dinner to be held at The Clubhouse at Patriot Hills on
Sunday, May 2, 2010; and
WHEREAS, A woman of singular distinction, Ellen Burstyn has contin-
ually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence, and
diligent leadership in her unwavering service to both her profession and
community; and
WHEREAS, Widely known for her illustrious career in film, stage and
television, Ellen Burstyn has been nominated six times for an Academy
Award; in 1974, she won the Best Actress Oscar for her leading role in
"Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore"; she also won the Tony Award that year
for her starring role on Broadway in "Same Time, Next Year"; to complete
the "triple crown" of major awards, she won an Emmy in 2009 for her
portrayal of a woman with bipolar disorder in "Law & Order: SVU"; and
WHEREAS, Born in Detroit in 1932, Ellen Burstyn knew from a young age
that she yearned for a large world; she left home on her 18th birthday,
heading for the bright lights of Dallas where she became a fashion
model; however, New York was her ultimate destination; arriving with
only a pocket full of change, she managed to continue her modeling
career, supplementing her income with a run on the Jackie Gleason Show
as a "Glee Girl"; beautiful, talented and ambitious, she decided Broad-
way was her next goal; and
WHEREAS, Fortunately for Ellen Burstyn, an acquaintance set up an
audition and she found herself starring in "Fair Game" in 1957; through-
out the 1960s, Ellen McRae (to become Ellen Burstyn) supported herself
and her young son Jefferson by acting in television shows such as "The
Kraft Mystery Theater," "Ben Casey," "Perry Mason," "The Iron Horse" and
"The Doctors"; her film career took off in the 1970s with "The Last
Picture Show", "The Exorcist" and "Alice," and continues unabated; and
WHEREAS, Early in life, Ellen Burstyn recalls wondering whether to
become an actor or a writer; as it turned out she did not have to choose
between the two; in 2006, she became a national best-selling author with
the publication of her memoir, LESSONS IN BECOMING MYSELF; she continues
to write daily and is currently working on a screenplay based on a World
War II era heroine; and
WHEREAS, Today, much of Ellen Burstyn's professional time is devoted
to the famed Actors Studio in New York where she is the Artistic Direc-
tor and Co-President along with Al Pacino and Harvey Keitel; she teaches
there once or twice a week, passing on her wealth of knowledge, experi-
ence and insight to a new generation of actors; she also lectures around
the country on a variety of topics that always uplift and inspire the
audiences she addresses; and
WHEREAS, Despite her busy professional life, Ellen Burstyn has been
called upon to contribute her time and talents to countless civic and
charitable endeavors and has always given of herself unstintingly; and

WHEREAS, Ellen Burstyn, who is an ordained Sufi Cheraga (minister),
has a long-standing involvement with the Zen Peacemaker Community, whose
mission is to alleviate suffering in the world through direct social
service, mediation, study and multi-faith cooperation; the Community's
most well-known economic development project is the Greyston Bakery
(originally founded in Yonkers) now the Greyston Foundation, which has
provided jobs, low income housing, supportive services, child care and
community gardens in the Westchester, New York area; and
WHEREAS, To support Rockland's own Dr. Bobby MacGuffie and her
S.H.A.R.E. orphanages and hospitals in Kenya, Ellen Burstyn mounted a
museum exhibition of her photographs which were sold to raise money for
the purchase of a solar-powered oven; she found it remarkable to see art
could be transformed into bread and sustenance; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Ellen Burstyn supports the Humane Society and
local animal protection groups, American Forests as well as other organ-
izations that promote the need to preserve and protect the natural envi-
ronment; she also works with a variety of groups that help to nourish
others through food banks and community shelters; and
WHEREAS, When Ellen Burstyn became aware of the Rockland Family Shel-
ter and their incredible mission, she offered to help in any way; this
was the beginning of an ongoing collaboration which grows stronger with
each passing year; she has chaired the RFS Membership Drive, helping to
raise significant funds for Children's Services and the Emergency Resi-
dential Shelter; she played a major role in the 30th Anniversary Cele-
bration program at Riverspace, and led a riveting one-on-one conversa-
tion, co-hosted by RFS, with award winning director Deepa Mehta about
her career, culture and violence against women; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Ellen Burstyn has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Ellen Burstyn has displayed through-
out her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
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
commend Ellen Burstyn upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Rockland Family Shelter on May 2, 2010; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ellen Burstyn.