LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Charles J. Darden, Executive Director of
RECAP, upon the occasion of his retirement after more than 34 years of
distinguished service to the Orange County Community

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 patriotic and civic-minded community members who dedicate their
lives and careers to the service of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Charles J. Darden, Executive Director of Regional Economic Community
Action Program, Inc., (RECAP) upon the occasion of his retirement after
more than 34 years of distinguished service to the Orange County Commu-
nity; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Sunday, September
21, 2014, at Orange County Park in Montgomery, New York; and
WHEREAS, Charles J. "Chuck" Darden, was born in Amory, Mississippi,
the fourth of five sons of the late George and Susie Darden; he received
his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Jackson State Universi-
ty, and a Master's degree in Counseling from Indiana University in Penn-
sylvania; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining RECAP, this esteemed man has worked as a
counselor, teacher and administrator at prestigious institutions such as
Rochester Institute of Technology, Temple University and Rockland Commu-
nity College; while at Rockland Community College, he became Chairman of
the Board of Directors at Rockland Community Action Council, Inc., and
began his career as an Anti-Poverty Program Administrator; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to a life of helping others, Charles J. Darden
assumed the role of Executive Director at RECAP on March 3, 1980; under
his tenure, the organization became a more effective advocate for lower
income populations and took important actions to improve the living
conditions of those who were less fortunate; and
WHEREAS, The driving force behind much of RECAP's success for over
three decades, Charles J. Darden has given true service to the people of
Orange County; his work in developing supportive housing programs has
helped many former homeless and potentially homeless individuals and
families get a fresh start and a helping hand on the path towards self-
sufficiency; and
WHEREAS, Charles J. Darden is the recipient of numerous awards and
honors including Citizen of the Year from the National Association of
Social Workers, the Orange County Human Rights Award, and the Key to the
City of Middletown; in 2014, he was also recognized with the Lifetime
Achievement Award from Rehabilitation Support Services in Middletown;
and
WHEREAS, In his official acts, Charles J. Darden was governed by a
keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems;
and
WHEREAS, A member of the boards of numerous civic and charitable
organizations, Charles J. Darden further serves as a panelist on the
National Low Income Energy Consortium, and New York State Rural Housing
Coalition, a presenter of the New York Public Welfare Association, and
as the moderator of Orange County's first Dialogue on Poverty; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, JoAnne Gurda, his
son, Charles E. Darden, and his four grandchildren, Erin, Devin, CJ and

Kyndall, as well as one great-grandson, Jaxson, all of whom feel privi-
leged 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
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Charles J. Darden, Executive Director of RECAP, upon the occasion
of his retirement and to wish him the best of luck in all of his future
endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Charles J. Darden.