LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Anderson Center for Autism of
Staatsburg, New York upon the occasion of celebrating their 90th Anni-
versary

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize organ-
izations that are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of
citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, In their 90 years of service to the community, the Anderson
Center has transformed from a school for students with emotional and
developmental challenges, to an agency dedicated to providing support
for individuals on the autism spectrum along with their families and
guardians; and
WHEREAS, The vision of Dr. Victor V. Anderson should be celebrated as
he started the Anderson School in 1924 for one student believing that
children with special needs would benefit from integrated programs that
addressed their educational, emotional and social needs; and
WHEREAS, The Anderson School currently serves more than 200 children
and adults with a primary diagnosis of autism; and
WHEREAS, Those services have been able to grow new and renovated
campus homes, new community adult homes, upgrades to support service
buildings, a new Recreation Center, and a Village Center contributing to
the Anderson Center's ability to offer state-of-the-art facilities that
create opportunities for children and adults with autism to learn and
thrive; and
WHEREAS, The current leadership of the Anderson Center led by Execu-
tive Director Neil J. Pollack, the Executive Team, the Board of Trustees
and staff should be celebrated as they have guided the Anderson Center
to new heights; and
WHEREAS, Autism included amongst autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), the
third most common type of developmental disability in the United States,
are afflictions occurring in children before the age of three, and are
recognized by unresponsiveness to human contact, deficits in language
development, and peculiar reactions to environmental stimuli; and
WHEREAS, ASDs interfere with the normal development of children's
reasoning, social interaction, and communication skills, causing those
diagnosed to have difficulty relating to others; and
WHEREAS, It is in the interest of New York State to support all indi-
viduals with ASDs and to continue these efforts by promoting the organ-
izations that are providing the most vital services to children and
adults with ASDs; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Anderson Center for Autism upon the occasion of cele-
brating their 90th Anniversary of service to New York State; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Anderson Center for Autism of Staatsburg, New York.