LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Elissa Montanti upon the occasion of her
designation as a recipient of the 2011 Woman of Achievement Award by the
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Elissa Montanti upon the occasion of her designation as a recipient of
the 2011 Woman of Achievement Award by the STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE; this
auspicious occasion was celebrated at the 50th Annual STATEN ISLAND
ADVANCE Women of Achievement Luncheon, held on Thursday, November 17,
2011, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Staten Island, New York; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE Women of Achievement
program is to salute women who make extraordinary contributions to
Staten Island; and
WHEREAS, The Annual Women of Achievement Luncheon expresses the appre-
ciation of the STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE to the recipients of its award for
their good works, generous hearts and love of their fellow men and
women; over the past 49 years the ADVANCE has honored 281 Women of
Achievement; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Elissa Montanti of Arrochar, Staten Island, New
York, answered a call for help from a 15-year old Bosnian boy named
Kenan Malkic who had lost a leg and both arms to a land mine blast; and
WHEREAS, With no previous experience in non-profit work, Elissa
Montanti orchestrated a one person campaign to bring Kenan Malkic to the
United States from Bosnia and begin his medical treatments; she provided
her own home as a refuge to the boy and his mother while he was undergo-
ing treatment; and
WHEREAS, When Kenan Malkic grew out of his prosthetics, Elissa Montan-
ti wanted to continue helping him and other children in his condition;
she did so by founding the Global Medical Relief Fund, a non-partisan
non-profit organization to bring children from war-torn corners of the
world to the United States for much needed medical assistance; and
WHEREAS, To date, the Global Medical Relief Fund has been responsible
for assisting 150 children ravaged by land mines, war or natural disas-
ter by bringing them to the United States to receive prosthetic arms and
legs, and to reclaim their youth, dignity and future; and
WHEREAS, Operating the Global Medical Relief Fund mostly on her own
with the assistance of dedicated volunteers, Elissa Montanti and the
Fund have also purchased a nearby residence to serve as a place where
impacted children can reside when they are in the initial phase of their
surgeries and the yearly follow-up treatments provided by the Fund; and
WHEREAS, Born in Arrochar, Staten Island, New York, Elissa Montanti
graduated from New Dorp High School and worked at the former Doctors'
Hospital in Grasmere for 16 years as a lab assistant; she also attended
the College of Staten Island; and
WHEREAS, In the summer of 2012, Elissa Montanti will be releasing a
book she has authored, entitled I'LL STAND BY YOU; part of the proceeds
of her book will be donated to the Global Medical Relief Fund; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Elissa Montanti has

stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the
respect and admiration of her colleagues, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Elissa Montanti has displayed
throughout her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Elissa Montanti upon the occasion of her designation as a recipi-
ent of the 2011 Woman of Achievement Award by the STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Elissa Montanti.