LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Vanessa J. Herman upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the Government Award by the Town of
Brookhaven Office of Women's Services on March 26, 2009

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Vanessa J. Herman has given not only of her time and energies
but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Vanessa J.
Herman upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Govern-
ment Award by the Town of Brookhaven Office of Women's Services in cele-
bration of National Women's History Month at its 23rd Annual Women's
Recognition Night, held on Thursday, March 26, 2009, at Brookhaven Town
Hall Auditorium, Farmingville, New York; and
WHEREAS, Vanessa J. Herman is being honored for her professional
achievements as well as for the generosity and enthusiasm with which she
graces the Town of Brookhaven; and
WHEREAS, Vanessa J. Herman is the Assistant for Government Relations
for Higher Education at the State University at Stony Brook; and
WHEREAS, A life-long resident of Brookhaven Town, Vanessa J. Herman
attended Suffolk County Community College and went on to earn a Masters
degree from Stony Brook University; and
WHEREAS, She began her career as a Private Investigator in 1990,
providing confidential and comprehensive investigative services to
legal, matrimonial and corporate clientele; soon after, she joined the
staff of United States Senator Alfonse D'Amato and served as his Press
Secretary and Executive Assistant; and
WHEREAS, Her current position has brought Vanessa J. Herman to yet
another level of government; as Assistant for Government Relations for
Higher Education, she has proven herself to be an invaluable asset and
tireless Champion of the State University at Stony Brook; and
WHEREAS, Traveling between Albany and the nation's capital, Vanessa J.
Herman is the primary federal lobbyist for the University; her unique
ability to articulate and advocate on behalf of the University has
earned the institute several projects and initiatives that have benefit-
ed this entire region; and
WHEREAS, Aside from her tremendously busy schedule, Vanessa J. Herman
still finds time to give back to her community; she has volunteered for
the Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund and the Metropolitan Foun-
dation; in addition she helped to bring about the Long Island Breast
Cancer Study Project and was instrumental in the passage of new legis-
lation such as the Drive Through Mastectomy Law and the New York State
Pesticide Registry; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Vanessa J. Herman 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 Vanessa J. Herman has displayed
throughout her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Vanessa J. Herman upon the occasion of her designation as recipi-
ent of the Government Award by the Town of Brookhaven Office of Women's
Services on March 26, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Vanessa J. Herman, Medford, New York.