LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Older Adults Technology Services upon
the occasion of opening the Senior Planet Exploration Center

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to
the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past
contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable
asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this Legislative Body to recognize
those organizations which faithfully serve the needs of senior citizens
with respect and a compassionate commitment to enhancing the quality of
life of the senior community; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Older Adults
Technology Services upon the occasion of opening the Senior Planet
Exploration Center at 127 West 25th Street, New York, New York, in Janu-
ary of 2013; it is the first and only center of its kind in the Nation;
and
WHEREAS, Adults over the age of 65 comprise the fastest growing demo-
graphic in America; despite the rapidly accelerating integration of
technology into every facet of daily life, nearly half of this popu-
lation has never even accessed the Internet; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing that the potentially boundless social benefits of
technology would continue to be denied to seniors without appropriate
and proactive intervention, Thomas Kamber, Ph.D., founded Older Adults
Technology Services (OATS) in 2004, as a safe learning space for seniors
at all levels of technological comprehension; and
WHEREAS, OATS provides thousands of seniors a range of programs and
services, from computer basics and social networking to Introduction to
the iPad, via more than 23 technology labs in local senior centers
throughout New York City; and
WHEREAS, In this age of digital technology and social networking,
Older Adults Technology Services' training allows its students to stay
connected to family, friends, and community and, most crucially, to
remain competitive in the job market; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, OATS developed Senior Planet, a digital community
created specifically for older adults with information about popular
events and enrichment programs, tech tips, health and wellness
resources, and a forum for weighing in on current affairs; and
WHEREAS, The Senior Planet Learning Center is an innovative 2,700
square foot tech space serving those 60 and older; it features a state
of the art computer lab, 23 high-end workstations, a studio for smart-
phone and tablet training, video conferencing pods, a video gaming area
and an open space for curated exhibitions, presentations, and classes;
and
WHEREAS, The opening of the Senior Planet Learning Center fully real-
izes the vision of its founder to engage, train, and support older
adults in using technology to improve their quality of life and enhance
their social and civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those responsive and visionary organizations that enhance and
promote the well-being of our senior citizens, whose wisdom, labor and
sacrifice helped to shape and strengthen the character of our communi-
ties; and
WHEREAS, Older Adults Technology Services is such an organization; for
nearly 10 years it has been dedicated to ensuring that New York State's
older adults have the tools they need to develop to their fullest poten-
tial and, in so doing, has set a standard of excellence to be emulated
by others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Older Adults Technology Services upon the occasion of opening the
Senior Planet Exploration Center in New York City; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Older Adults Technology Services.