LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Barry and Rita Rothfeld upon the occa-
sion of their designation as recipients of the Lifetime Achievement
Award by Family Services on April 21, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Barry and Rita Rothfeld upon the occasion of their designation as recip-
ients of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Family Services, to be cele-
brated at its Family of the Year Awards Event on Thursday, April 21,
2016, at The Grandview, Poughkeepsie, New York; and
WHEREAS, Barry Rothfeld, chair of the board of the United Way of the
Dutchess-Orange Region, retired in June of 2015, after 11 years as pres-
ident and publisher of the POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL and 42 years with the
Gannett Co., Inc.; and
WHEREAS, At the helm of the Poughkeepsie Journal Media Group during
its time of greatest change, Barry Rothfeld was instrumental in its
transformation from a print-centric operation to one that embraced
digital media; and
WHEREAS, In other roles with the Gannett Co., Inc., Barry Rothfeld
previously served as publisher of THE ITHACA JOURNAL, editor of the
PRESS & SUN-BULLETIN in Binghamton, and executive editor of the POUGH-
KEEPSIE JOURNAL; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he spent 17 years in various reporting and edit-
ing roles at Gannett Westchester Rockland Newspapers, now the JOURNAL
NEWS, where he started as a reporter and rose to the rank of senior
managing editor; and
WHEREAS, Active within the community, Barry Rothfeld serves as second
vice chair of the Vassar Brothers Medical Center, vice chair of the
Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation and is a board advisor to Hudson
Valley Pattern for Progress; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, he previously completed six-year runs on the
boards of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Dutchess
County Economic Development Corp., and the Bardavon 1869 Opera House
where he currently serves on its Advisory Council; and
WHEREAS, Professionally, Barry Rothfeld is past chair of the New York
Newspaper Publishers Association board of directors and now serves on
the organization's Foundation; he holds a master's degree from the
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and he recently
completed two terms on the school's alumni board; and
WHEREAS, Barry Rothfeld has been the recipient of numerous awards and
accolades some of which include the John Peter Zenger Award in recogni-
tion of his exemplary service to newspapers and freedom of the press,
and the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award from the St. Mark
A.M.E. Zion Church; he was also honored as Gannett's Publisher of the
Year in 2009, and is a three-time President's Ring winner for his work;
and
WHEREAS, Rita Rothfeld retired in June of 2015 after a nearly 30-year
career in elementary and reading education; most recently, she spent the
last 11 years as a reading specialist at Sheafe Road Elementary School
in the Wappinger School District working with its most high needs
students; and

WHEREAS, Prior to her serving in this capacity, Rita Rothfeld taught
fourth-grade elementary in the Binghamton City School District; she has
also taught remedial reading and math in the Millbrook Central School
District, and previously worked in the Yorktown Central School District
and in the New York City Schools; and
WHEREAS, Rita Rothfeld has been involved in numerous professional
organizations, including the International Reading Association, the
Mid-Hudson Reading Council, and American Association of University
Women; she is also active in the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation,
where she co-chairs its successful Spring Brunch; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed woman holds both bachelor's and master's
degrees from Queens College, and has continued to pursue her post-educa-
tion throughout her illustrious career; and
WHEREAS, With them throughout have been their two children, Jason and
Shari, both of whom feel privileged to be a part of their lives and
rejoice in their achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Barry and Rita Rothfeld have
displayed throughout their lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Barry and Rita Rothfeld upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Family Services on April
21, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Barry and Rita Rothfeld.