LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Legal Services of Central New York
upon the occasion of celebrating its 50th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those organizations within our midst that have shown an
enduring commitment to improving the quality of life in their communi-
ties and to enhancing their profession and fostering the highest level
of professionalism; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Legal Services of Central New York upon the occasion of its 50th Anni-
versary to be celebrated on June 9, 2016, at Drumlins Country Club in
Syracuse, New York; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1966 as Onondaga Neighborhood Legal Services,
Legal Services of Central New York is a non-profit law firm that has
remained dedicated to providing free, civil legal assistance to low-in-
come families and individuals; and
WHEREAS, Legal Services of Central New York has greatly expanded its
programming over the years to operate throughout the Broome, Cayuga,
Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Onei-
da, Onondaga, Otsego, and Oswego counties; and
WHEREAS, Each year, Legal Services of Central New York works on cases
that affect the lives of more than 17,000 people, helps stabilize the
lives of individuals who have been marginalized, and assists families
and individuals denied legal protection because they cannot afford an
attorney; and
WHEREAS, Legal Services of Central New York's clients include senior
citizens, veterans, disabled individuals, and women who turn to the law
firm in a time of need; in fact, two-thirds of the clients are women,
often who are struggling to raise a family on their own; and
WHEREAS, Legal Services of Central New York represents their clients
in court, at administrative hearings, before government agencies and the
legislature, and help their clients know and enforce their legal rights;
and
WHEREAS, Legal Services of Central New York also offers a variety of
programs, which include: the Advocacy Group, the AIDS Law Project, the
Cancer Legal Advocacy and Services Project, the Central New York Fore-
closure Prevention Collaborative, and the Central New York Legal Help-
line; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, Legal Services of Central New York moved to the
George H. Lowe Center for Justice at 221 South Warren Street in Syra-
cuse, where Legal Services of Central New York (LSCNY), Legal Aid Socie-
ty of Mid-New York (LASMNY), and the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Onon-
daga County are all under one roof to help provide greater access to the
community; and
WHEREAS, Presently, Legal Services of Central New York has 34 lawyers,
and five paralegals, providing thousands of individuals with free legal
information, assistance, and representation in various civil legal
matters; and
WHEREAS, Legal Services of Central New York has and continues to
ensure that all people have equal access to the justice system; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Legal Services of Central New York upon the occasion of its 50th
Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Legal Services of Central New York.