LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Paul T. Cassone upon the occasion of
his designation by the Bay Ridge Community Council as the recipient of
its 2011 Civic Award

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 those who
distinguish themselves in service to their profession and their communi-
ty; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Paul T. Cassone upon the occasion of his designation for special recog-
nition by the Bay Ridge Community Council as the recipient of its 2011
Civic Award; and
WHEREAS, Paul T. Cassone, Executive Director and CEO of the Guild For
Exceptional Children, will be honored in recognition of his outstanding
service, dedication, and contributions to the Bay Ridge Community Coun-
cil community at the Council's 60th Annual Dinner Dance and 60th Anni-
versary Celebration, to be held at El Caribe Country Club in Brooklyn on
Thursday, June 9, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Paul Cassone is a lifelong Brooklyn resident; he lived in Bay
Ridge for nearly 30 years, and currently resides in Windsor Terrace with
his wife Geraldine and their three children, all of whom are proud to be
part of his life and rejoice in his many accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Paul Cassone is a graduate of Xaverian High School, Brooklyn
College of The City University of New York and Teachers College, Colum-
bia University; and
WHEREAS, Paul Cassone was a long-time volunteer guitarist and music
ministry leader with the OLA Folk Group during his high school years
and, during his college years, performed as a singer/songwriter and
bassist in metro area and Long Island clubs; and
WHEREAS, He began volunteering at the Guild for Exceptional Children
while attending Xaverian High School and later worked there as a direct
care worker and project leader while attending college; and
WHEREAS, After graduating college, he worked for ACRMD, now Lifespire,
for 28 years in a variety of direct service and management positions,
eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2003; and
WHEREAS, Paul Cassone returned to the Guild for Exceptional Children
in 2005 as Executive Director/CEO; the Guild, which has been an integral
part of Bay Ridge for more than 50 years, provides a full range of
educational, clinical and support services to nearly 1000 children and
adults each day throughout Brooklyn and is one of South Brooklyn's larg-
est employers; and
WHEREAS, He is known for his work throughout New York State and has
held leadership positions in the New York State Association of Day
Service Providers, the Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council,
Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council, New York State Association
of Community Residential Agencies, and on the statewide Promise Of
Opportunity Planning Committee; and
WHEREAS, Paul Cassone has continued his voluntary support of individ-
uals in need as well and currently serves on the Board of Directors of
the Progress of People Development Corporation, a division of Catholic
Charities, which provides more than 3000 units of housing for low income
families in Brooklyn and Queens, including the Pope John Paul II Commu-
nity Living Center in Bay Ridge and the Bishop Boardman Apartments in
Park Slope; and

WHEREAS, He is also an active voluntary member of the Immaculate Heart
of Mary Music Ministry which provides music for church services at IHM
Church and the Palm Gardens Rehabilitation Facility; he has also volun-
teered to perform at and support Relay for Life events in Bay Ridge and
has performed at and/or provided musical backline equipment for many
fundraising events, including for such organizations as the Wounded
Warriors, USO, Friends for Life and the Bay Ridge Summer Celebrations,
raising funds for the 68th Precinct; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors of the
Interagency Council of Developmental Disabilities Services Agencies,
which provides technical assistance and training to agencies like the
Guild throughout New York State; and
WHEREAS, Paul Cassone has worked to further build on the Guild for
Exceptional Children's success and has successfully expanded its Commu-
nity Advisory Board, residential offerings and day services and has
revamped fundraising efforts, holding successful Dinner Dance events and
encouraging community sponsored events to benefit the Guild, such as the
Peter J. Mulligan and Blackstone Pub Golf Outing and events sponsored by
the Bay Ridge's Men's Club; The Bookmark Shoppe, Uno, Chicago Grill, the
American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and the Cove Reunion at Bally
Bunion; and
WHEREAS, He has, in addition, worked to further develop the Guild's
services for toddlers and adults with autism spectrum disorder and for
senior citizens with developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Due in large part to Paul Cassone's efforts, the Guild has
been an important part of the civil rights movement which has helped to
deliver people with developmental disabilities from the horrors of
Willowbrook to the dignity of community living and he is committed to
ensuring that the Guild continues to serve individuals and families in
need in partnership with supporters in Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and
beyond; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud individuals, such as Paul Cassone, who distinguish themselves in
their profession and work to meet the needs of their community and its
citizens with diligence and compassionate commitment to improving the
quality of life in the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Paul T. Cassone upon the occasion of his designation by the Bay
Ridge Community Council as the recipient of its esteemed 2011 Civic
Award on June 9, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Paul T. Cassone.