LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Rebecca and Brad Junco, owners of Empire
Wine and Liquor Outlet, upon the occasion of their designation as recip-
ients of the 2016 Corporate Partner of the Year Award by the Northeast-
ern Association of the Blind at Albany on April 16, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 individ-
uals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its
citizenry; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Rebecca and
Brad Junco, owners of Empire Wine and Liquor Outlet, upon the occasion
of their designation as recipients of the 2016 Corporate Partner of the
Year Award by the Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany, to be
celebrated at its Annual Visionary Gala, on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at
the Franklin Plaza Ballroom in Troy, New York; and
WHEREAS, Since 1908, the Northeastern Association of the Blind at
Albany (NABA) has provided comprehensive services and programs to resi-
dents of the greater Capital Region who are blind or visually impaired;
in 2015, they helped over 900 individuals of all ages across 11 counties
adapt to vision loss, maximize remaining vision, achieve their goals,
and expand their independence; and
WHEREAS, In addition, NABA offered screenings to over 3,300 children
between 18 months and five years of age for possible vision problems;
and
WHEREAS, Owners of Empire Wine and Liquor Outlet, Rebecca and Brad
Junco met as students at their elementary school in Guilderland, New
York; in 2005, the couple married, and today, they happily raise their
two children in Voorheesville, New York; and
WHEREAS, As a young child, Brad Junco spent weekends working at his
father's wine and liquor store in Downtown Albany, gaining expertise
about how to run the business; after attending Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York, Brad returned home to manage and
update the family business; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, Brad Junco bought his own wine shop in Albany; Capi-
tal Wine grew to become a neighborhood fixture, and was voted "Best Wine
Shop" by local publications for a number of years; two years later, Brad
began utilizing the internet to expand his business; and
WHEREAS, It was through Capital Wine that Rebecca and Brad Junco found
a way to use their successful business as a way of giving back to the
community; together, they became involved with numerous local organiza-
tions and charities by donating wine and various auction items; and
WHEREAS, After meeting Christopher Burke, the Executive Director/CEO
of the NABA, Rebecca and Brad Junco gave of their time and energies to
raise funds to further the mission of this worthy organization; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Rebecca and Brad Junco made the move from Capital
Wine to Empire Wine in Colonie, New York; as their business continues to
grow, so does the number of charities and groups that they assist; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable couple also started the Go Green and Give
Back campaign as a way to give back to their community, promote sustain-
able behavior and implement green initiatives to help protect the envi-
ronment by selling reusable wine totes; the substantial proceeds are
then donated to a different charity or organization each month; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Rebecca and Brad Junco have displayed
throughout their lives; 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 Rebecca and Brad Junco, owners of Empire Wine and Liquor Outlet,
upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the 2016 Corpo-
rate Partner of the Year Award by the Northeastern Association of the
Blind at Albany; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rebecca and Brad Junco, Owners, Empire Wine and Liquor
Outlet.