LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Glenn Decker upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award by the
HealthAlliance Foundation

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Glenn Decker has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Glenn Decker
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2016 Lifetime
Achievement Award by the HealthAlliance Foundation, to be celebrated at
its 27th Annual Tulip Ball held on Saturday, April 30, 2016, at the Lazy
Swan Golf & Country Club Village in Saugerties, New York; and
WHEREAS, Each year the HealthAlliance Foundation of Kingston, New York
proudly honors those individuals who have contributed to the well-being
and vitality of their community at its Annual Tulip Ball; and
WHEREAS, Glenn Decker is being presented with the Lifetime Achievement
Award in recognition of his 34 years of service to the Ulster County
community, and for his tireless efforts working to help improve the
lives of his fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Ulster County, Glenn Decker is the son
of Chester and Hazel Decker, and grew up in New Paltz, New York, with
his 11 siblings; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from SUNY New Paltz with a Bachelor's degree
in Sociology and a minor in Economics, Glenn Decker began his career in
public service with Ulster County serving as Director of Job Training
programs in 1974; and
WHEREAS, In 1988, Glenn Decker was appointed Deputy County Administra-
tor, a position in which he worked with 45 county departments overseeing
departmental expenditures and monitoring budgets as well as personnel
management; and
WHEREAS, Following his appointment as Commissioner of the Ulster Coun-
ty Department of Social Services (DSS), Glenn Decker was responsible for
management of the county's largest department and a staff of 300 employ-
ees; and
WHEREAS, During his illustrious tenure as Commissioner, Glenn Decker
ably served as Chair of the Early Intervention Council setting policy
and funding for early intervention programs, and expertly oversaw the
management of such important programs as Medicaid, Food Stamps, Child
Support Enforcement and Family Assistance; and
WHEREAS, In his official acts, Commissioner Glenn Decker continually
followed a philosophy of always being fair and supportive of family
unity, child safety and development and parental responsibility; and
WHEREAS, Since retiring from public service in 2006, Glenn Decker has
continued to serve his community as a member of the Board of Directors
of the HealthAlliance Foundation where he has contributed in such vital
leadership capacities as Finance Committee Chair, first Vice President
and Chairman of the Board; and
WHEREAS, Glenn Decker has been called upon to contribute his time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of himself unstintingly; he has served on numerous local boards includ-
ing Ulster Region Federal Credit Union and the Policy Committee of the
Ulster County Healthy Living Partnership for the American Cancer Socie-
ty; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Glenn Decker acted as an Ambassador for the
Cancer Society and as a member of both the Private Industry Council and
the Workforce Development Board; he also served as Vice President of the
New York State Public Welfare Association representing all DSS commis-
sioners in New York State; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and honors, Glenn Decker was
presented with the Maurice Hinchey Award for Service and Dedication to
the Development of Family Practice in the Mid-Hudson Valley, and the
2008 Kings Kids Hero Award from the Heroes In Our Own Backyard Program;
and
WHEREAS, A man of faith, Glenn Decker is an ordained Elder in the
Hurley Reformed Church, serving two terms on the Consistory and as an
Elder of the Greater Consistory; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 44 years, Debbie,
and their two children, Christopher (Keri) and Caitlin, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Glenn Decker has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; 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 Glenn Decker upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award by the HealthAlliance Foundation;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Glenn Decker.