LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Richard C. Hellenbrecht upon the occa-
sion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest
honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the great
State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good works
of those civic-minded community members who dedicate their lives and
careers to the service of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Richard C.
Hellenbrecht upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Richard C. Hellenbrecht began his civic career shortly after
moving into his current home in Bellerose, Queens, in 1972; shortly
thereafter, he joined the Bellerose Commonwealth Civic Association
(BCCA), serving as Block Captain; he rose through the ranks to hold the
title of President of BCCA for approximately 17 years; and
WHEREAS, Richard C. Hellenbrecht then became involved in the Eastern
Queens Civic Council, which eventually joined other coalitions to form
the Queens Civic Congress (QCC); he held the positions of both Vice
President and Executive Vice President in 2010; and
WHEREAS, Following the accidental death of the President of the QCC,
Richard C. Hellenbrecht took over the leadership role, and subsequently,
was re-elected in 2012 and 2013; and
WHEREAS, In his capacity as President of QCC, Richard C. Hellenbrecht
has managed approximately 100 civic associations throughout the borough,
and has worked on numerous vital cross-cutting issues affecting the
quality of life in Queens; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his position at QCC, Richard C. Hellenbrecht
holds several other civic and community positions, including both past
Chair and Land Use Chair, Community Board 13Q; Secretary/Treasurer,
Bellerose Commonwealth Civic Association; Secretary, Joint Bellerose
Business District; Director, Flushing Meadows Corona Park Conservancy;
and member, Queens Quiet Skies MOU Steering Committee; as well as
member, Queens Airport Community Roundtable; and
WHEREAS, Richard C. Hellenbrecht officially retired from the Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey after 34 years of dedicated
service, however, he still controls community relations supporting
diversity on major construction projects in New York and Los Angeles,
California; and
WHEREAS, When Richard C. Hellenbrecht is not working, he enjoys sail-
ing and is the past President of The American Small Craft Association
(TASCA), a not-for-profit sailing school/club which teaches sailing and
small boat safety at Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his loving wife of 44 years,
the former Mary Ann Inman, their two devoted children, and their three
beloved grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his
life and rejoice in his achievements; 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 Richard C. Hellenbrecht upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an indi-
vidual by the New York State Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Richard C. Hellenbrecht.