LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Garry J. Kearns upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2014 Third Age Achievement Award in
Volunteerism by Senior Services of Albany

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, Garry J. Kearns has given not only of his time and energies
but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Garry J.
Kearns upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2014
Third Age Achievement Award in Volunteerism by Senior Services of Alba-
ny, to be celebrated at its 18th Annual Third Age Achievement Awards
luncheon on Friday, May 2, 2014, at Wolfert's Roost Country Club, Alba-
ny, New York; and
WHEREAS, Architect Garry Kearns provides quality, safe and affordable
housing that allows seniors in the Capital Region to age in place and,
in most cases, allows them to stay in and around the neighborhoods in
which they raised their families; and
WHEREAS, Garry J. Kearns designed thousands of apartments before his
retirement in the early 1990s; in 1995 he founded the American Housing
Foundation where he has served as its unpaid Executive Director for the
past 17 years; and
WHEREAS, This dedicated man devotes his time to fulfilling the mission
of the American Housing Foundation, using his architectural and business
experience to address the housing needs of individuals living on fixed
incomes; and
WHEREAS, Garry J. Kearns has been called upon to contribute his time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, He is an active volunteer with many organizations, including
Catholic Charities, St. Mary's Hospital, St. Anne's Institute, and
Visiting Nurses Association; he was recently inducted by his alma mater,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, into the Ice Hockey Team's "Ring of
Honor"; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 53 years, Joan, and
they are the proud parents of two sons, Ken and Kevin, and a daughter,
the late Karen; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Garry J. Kearns has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Garry J. Kearns has displayed
throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Garry J. Kearns upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the 2014 Third Age Achievement Award in Volunteerism; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Garry J. Kearns.