LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION recognizing Tuesday, March 20, 2012, as "Fresh
Air Fund Day" in the State of New York

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 organiza-
tions and individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to recognize
"Fresh Air Fund Day" in the State of New York; this auspicious occasion
will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 20, 2012; and
WHEREAS, The Fresh Air Fund is an independent, not-for-profit agency;
since 1877, it has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7
million New York City children from low-income communities; and
WHEREAS, The tradition of The Fresh Air Fund was begun in 1877 when
the Reverend Willard Parsons, minister of a small rural parish in Sher-
man, Pennsylvania, asked members of his congregation to provide country
vacations as volunteer host families for children from New York City
tenements; and
WHEREAS, Children from low-income communities are selected to partic-
ipate in The Fresh Air Fund's programs based on financial need; they are
registered by more than 90 social service and community organizations in
all five boroughs of New York City; and
WHEREAS, Fresh Air Fund "Friendly Town" volunteer host families open
their homes to inner-city children for one to two weeks or more in the
summertime; each Friendly Town community is supervised by a committee of
volunteers; and
WHEREAS, Under the dynamic leadership of its Executive Director, Jenny
Morgenthau, nearly 10,000 New York City children enjoy free Fresh Air
Fund programs annually; in 2011, close to 5,000 children visited volun-
teer host families in suburbs and small town communities across 13
states from Virginia to Maine and Canada; and
WHEREAS, In addition, 3,000 children annually attended five Fresh Air
camps on a 2,300-acre site in Fishkill, New York; the Fund's year-round
camping program serves an additional 2,000 young people each year; the
Fund also operates an innovative career awareness program designed to
help New York City youngsters understand the relationship between school
and work and how to make choices that will determine their futures; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to Tuesday, March 20,
2012, as "Fresh Air Fund Day" in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to call attention to
organizations and individuals that serve to bring people together for
the united purpose of actively pursuing improvements in their communi-
ties; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize Tuesday, March 20, 2012, as "Fresh Air Fund Day" in the State
of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jenny Morgenthau, Executive Director, The Fresh Air Fund, 633
Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017.