LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the celebration of the 55th Anni-
versary of Father Peter G. Young's outstanding service in the ministry
on April 5, 2014

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
the Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the faithful concern
and selfless devotion of those who commit their energies and purpose to
the ministry of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to individuals who distinguish themselves and
the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of
service; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the celebration of the 55th Anniversary of Father Peter G.
Young's outstanding service in the ministry at a Festival of Praise on
Saturday, April 5, 2014, at The Schuyler Inn, Menands, New York; and
WHEREAS, Father Peter G. Young began his ministry as a young parish
priest in one of Albany's poorest neighborhoods; in the late 1950s, when
he worked as Chaplain of the Albany County Jail, and later in the 1970s,
as Chaplain at the Mt. McGregor Correctional Facility, he adopted the
philosophy that would guide his life's work; and
WHEREAS, Father Peter G. Young is the Founder and Volunteer Chief
Executive Officer of Peter Young Housing, Industries and Treatment
(PYHIT) and its subsidiary organizations, his statewide network of
treatment, housing and education/employment programs; the avowed mission
of PYHIT is to create taxpayers and provide the dignity that comes with
a meaningful job and paycheck; and
WHEREAS, "Rehabilitate, don't incarcerate!" is the blueprint Father
Peter G. Young followed during the 55 years he spent helping individuals
struggling to stay out of prison and free themselves from addiction; and
WHEREAS, Using the Albany area as a home base, Father Young has helped
thousands of people reclaim their lives and look forward to futures by
means of his "glide path" philosophy which has three components: recov-
ery, housing, and jobs; and
WHEREAS, Like a pilot who lands his plane on an aircraft carrier by
following a glide path, critical direction comes from the support team
at PYHIT, the glide path for those dealing with addictions to become
employed, tax-paying citizens with careers, families, friendships, and
futures; and
WHEREAS, A pioneer in alcohol treatment, Father Young developed the
first alcohol crisis center and extended care unit in New York State; he
founded the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Program within the
Department of Corrections and this program, which provided a place to
live, job training and therapy, has served as a model for treatment
across the state and country; and
WHEREAS, The effectiveness of Father Young's vocational program is
based on his "Three Legged Stool" approach which includes treatment,
training and placement provided by Altamont Program, Inc.; this program
has resulted in a four-year-graduate recidivism rate of less than 10
percent; and
WHEREAS, Father Young's programs also make proficient use of his
"Wounded Healer" philosophy based on the belief that those who have
succeeded in recovery can best extend their hand to the next person and
help them begin the process; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his duties as a parish priest and pastor,
Father Young has taught in high school, served as a chaplain for various

associations and in the prison system, founded dozens of organizations
involved with treatment, housing shelters, and recovery services; in
2001, he was ranked number two in the Top Ten New Yorkers Survey as
conducted by the EMPIRE STATE REPORT; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Siena College, Father Young attended seminary
at St. Bonaventure University and in Ottawa after serving his country as
a member of the United States Navy during the Korean War; he was at one
time, a priest teaching eight periods at the parish school in the most
crime-ridden part of Albany every day; and
WHEREAS, He is also known as a catalyst, an innovator and servant,
using the strengths of his personality: exuberance, passion, humor, and
persistence to lead the charge for reforms and humane treatment for the
impoverished, the addicted and the socially disenfranchised; and
WHEREAS, Father Peter G. Young has brought to his ministry an over-
whelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and profes-
sional integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has adminis-
tered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of
all; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the celebration of the 55th Anniversary of Father Peter G.
Young's outstanding service in the ministry; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Father Peter G. Young.