LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Rita Franconere upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Faith Based Service Lifetime Achievement
Award by the Capital District Senior Issues Forum on October 7, 2015

WHEREAS, Spiritual guidance and nurturing are of great import to the
vitality and well-being of all people and every community of this great
State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Rita
Franconere upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Faith Based Service Lifetime Achievement Award by the Capital District
Senior Issues Forum, celebrated at its 17th Annual Lifetime Achievement
Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, October 7, 2015, at Congregation Beth
Emeth, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Capital District Senior Issues Forum (CDSIF) is a grass-
roots, voluntary initiative among faith communities, organizations and
individuals that provides support for seniors in the Capital District;
and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1998 as a pilot program at Albany's Westminster
Presbyterian Church, CDSIF's founding forum members included caregivers,
representatives from different faith communities who saw advocacy for
older adults as a mission of their faith community, government officials
concerned about senior issues, housing administrators, senior service
providers, and seniors themselves; and
WHEREAS, Through education and dialogue, the Forum recognizes the
contributions of older adults, identifies issues and unmet needs of the
senior community, serves as the convener of stakeholders to address
issues through forums, legislative programs, and educational programs,
educates the community about issues affecting seniors, and generates the
support of faith communities for health, healing, and wholeness of older
adults; and
WHEREAS, Since 1998, the Forum has held over 16 ceremonies and has
recognized over 676 seniors over the age of 85 for their Lifetime
Achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rita Franconere has been recognized by the Capital District
Senior Issues Forum for being an extraordinary senior, for making a
difference in the lives of others, and for giving selflessly in faith
based service; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Rita Franconere has displayed
throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those individuals within the State of New York who give of
their time and energies in support of spiritual endeavors which aim to
benefit the community at large; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Rita Franconere upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Faith Based Service Lifetime Achievement Award by the Capital
District Senior Issues Forum on October 7, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rita Franconere.