LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Dr. Richard F. Daines,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Richard F. Daines of Stanfordville, New York, died on
Saturday, February 26, 2011, at the age of 60; and
WHEREAS, The son of a physician, Dr. Richard F. Daines was raised in
Utah, and earned a Bachelor of History degree from Utah State University
in 1974; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Richard F. Daines served as a missionary for the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Bolivia from 1970 to 1972; he
received his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in
1978, and served a residency in internal medicine at New York Hospital;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Richard F. Daines distinguished himself in his profession
and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of his community; and
WHEREAS, Serving as a physician in New York City for over 25 years,
Dr. Richard F. Daines worked at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx,
where he began practicing in 1978; his skills and compassion, coupled
with his ability to speak Spanish, made him a valued member of the staff
and a favorite among his patients; he became the Hospital's Senior Vice
President for Professional Affairs and Medical Director in 1994; and
WHEREAS, From 2002-2007, Dr. Richard F. Daines was Medical Director at
St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, where he served as both President
and CEO; he often worked shifts in the emergency department there to
observe firsthand the care patients received; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Dr. Richard F. Daines became New York State's 14th
Commissioner of Health; he served in this capacity until 2010; recently,
he joined the New York Academy of Medicine as a Visiting Scholar; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Daines took great pride in the skills and
professionalism of his Health Department employees and public health
workers at county health departments, traveling to all 62 counties of
New York to promote local public health activities, often accompanied by
his father, Newel; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Richard F. Daines's commitment to excellence, and his
spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, includ-
ing charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, A former Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout, Dr. Richard F. Daines
would often invite members of Troop 525 to his farm in Stanfordville;
and
WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Dr. Richard F. Daines is survived by
his wife of 36 years, Linda; three children, William, Katherine and
Andrew; a grandson, Charles Richard; his parents, Dr. Newel and Jean
Daines; and siblings, Pamela Johnson, George Daines, Janet Stowell and
Peter Daines; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Dr. Richard F. Daines
leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and
will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Dr. Richard F. Daines, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Dr. Richard F. Daines.