LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Syra-
cuse Housing Authority

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those organizations within our community, and to those who run them,
that add to the quality of life for all of our residents, and to recog-
nize the contributions such organizations make to our society; and
WHEREAS, Primary among those organizations are public benefit corpo-
rations that, year after year, are responsive to the specific needs of
the local citizenry by providing essential services such as affordable
housing; 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 75th Anniversary of the Syracuse Housing Authority; and
WHEREAS, In honor of this auspicious milestone, a celebration will be
held on April 4, 2014, at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center in
Syracuse, New York, where outstanding service awards will be presented
to former Congressman James Walsh, former Syracuse Housing Authority
Executive Director Fred Murphy, and current resident and Board Commis-
sioner and Family Residential Representative, Gladys Smith; and
WHEREAS, The Syracuse Housing Authority was established as a Public
Benefit Corporation by the City of Syracuse Common Council on October
19, 1935; and
WHEREAS, The first public housing development project was Pioneer
Homes, which opened for service on August 31, 1940; and
WHEREAS, For the past 75 years, the Syracuse Housing Authority has not
only provided residents with safe and affordable housing, but has
assisted these residents in building better lives; and
WHEREAS, The Syracuse Housing Authority also provides numerous activ-
ities and educational opportunities, including economic self-sufficiency
education, matching residents with supportive services, job training and
skill enhancement opportunities, resident-based activities for seniors,
youth programming, social work services, and partnerships with community
health, support, and educational agencies to provide enhanced assist-
ance; and
WHEREAS, The Syracuse Housing Authority has continued to grow and
evolve over the years; currently, through its public housing and afford-
able housing developments, it provides housing to nearly 5,300 individ-
uals, through Section 8, it provides over 7,600 individuals with assist-
ance; and
WHEREAS, The 155 dedicated current employees of the Syracuse Housing
Authority deserve recognition for the hard work and dedication they
demonstrate in helping area residents with housing and supportive
services; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that when organ-
izations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, 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
recognize the Syracuse Housing Authority upon the occasion of its 75th
Anniversary, with the hope this corporation continues to enjoy the
successes it has experienced thus far; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bill Simmons, Executive Director of Syracuse Housing Authori-
ty.