LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Vassar College upon the occasion of
its designation by the Mediation Center of Dutchess County as the recip-
ient of its Community Empowerment Award at its Silver Anniversary Cele-
bration on April 2, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 organizations
and individuals who work to improve the well-being of the community and
its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Vassar College upon the occasion of its designation by the Mediation
Center of Dutchess County as the recipient of its Community Empowerment
Award at its Silver Anniversary Celebration, to be held at The Grandview
in Poughkeepsie, New York, on Thursday, April 2, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1983, the Mediation Center of Dutchess County
provides and promotes conflict prevention, management, and resolution
services to benefit more than 2,000 individuals, families, schools,
businesses, and organizations each year; and
WHEREAS, The Mediation Center is a non-profit agency, offering its
services under the auspices of the New York State Unified Court System's
Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Court Improvement (ADRCI)
Programs; and
WHEREAS, The Mediation Center of Dutchess County's Silver Anniversary
Celebration provides an opportunity for the Center to pay tribute to
those who have supported the Center and have helped to further its
efforts, as well as those who exemplify its mission of improving the
quality of life of the community and citizens it serves; and
WHEREAS, Vassar College truly merits such recognition; and
WHEREAS, Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, inde-
pendent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861; renowned for
its curricular innovation and for the natural beauty and architectural
distinction of its campus, Vassar is consistently ranked as one of our
country's top schools; and
WHEREAS, Vassar was the first college founded with an art collection
and gallery; today, its Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center holds over 18,000
works by such masters as Picasso, Rembrandt, and O'Keeffe; in 1982
Vassar became the first college to grant a bachelor's degree in cogni-
tive science; and its newest additions include the Vogelstein Center for
Drama and Film and the Interdisciplinary Robotics Research Laboratory;
and
WHEREAS, Just as Vassar College is a valued and involved member of the
Poughkeepsie and Dutchess County communities, hundreds of local organ-
izations and businesses have helped Vassar students learn, contribute
their skills, and earn credit beyond the classroom; more than 500
students earn such Field Work credit every year; and
WHEREAS, The college and the community come together in many other
ways as well, including through the Vassar After School Tutoring program
at Poughkeepsie Middle School; the Exploring Science at Vassar Farm
program for elementary school students; the Good Neighbors grant program
for Arlington neighborhood organizations; the Poughkeepsie Institute
urban policy seminar; the annual Community Works fundraising campaign
for local non-profits; and the college's deepened commitment to accessi-
bility and affordability through, for example, its new Poughkeepsie High
School Scholarship program for Vassar students who are Poughkeepsie High
School graduates; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when insti-
tutions of such accomplishment are brought to its attention, it is
appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend them for the edification
and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Vassar College upon the occasion of its designation by the Medi-
ation Center of Dutchess County as the recipient of its Community Empow-
erment Award at its Silver Anniversary Celebration on April 2, 2009; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Vassar College.