LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Wallkill Correctional Facility
upon the occasion of celebrating the 30th Anniversary of its Thorough-
bred Retirement Foundation Second Chances Program on June 19, 2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that all living crea-
tures have value, and to recognize and appreciate the service, compan-
ionship, loyalty, unconditional love and happiness animals bring to the
lives of New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those individuals and organizations who would faithfully
dedicate themselves to the care and protection of animals, lauding
particularly the caring, heroic acts of individuals who take prompt and
appropriate action to assist beloved retired race horses completely
dependent on humans for their safety; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Wallkill Correctional Facility upon the occasion of celebrating the
30th Anniversary of its Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Second Chanc-
es Program on Thursday, June 19, 2014; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's (TRF) dream
of providing homes for retired race horses who may otherwise be subject
to abuse became a reality; an ex-race horse named Promised Road walked
off a van and onto the grounds of the Wallkill Correctional Facility in
upstate New York, the first horse ever under the care of the TRF; and
WHEREAS, Three decades later, under the luminous direction of veteran
Program Manager Jim Tremper, the farm has been home to hundreds of TRF
retirees and continues to provide the dual benefit of helping both hors-
es and people; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the retired thoroughbreds having found a safe
and caring home, the inmates who tend to them have reaped tremendous
benefits as well; these incarcerated individuals learn a useful skill in
horsemanship through the TRF's state-accredited vocational training
program; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, this innovative approach has been replicated in
eight states nationwide, and was prominently featured in the award-win-
ning documentary "Homestretch"; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commending the Wallkill Correctional Facility upon the occasion of cele-
brating the 30th Anniversary of its Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
Second Chances Program on June 19, 2014; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jim Tremper, Program Manager, Thoroughbred Retirement Founda-
tion Second Chances Program, Wallkill, New York.