LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Michael Seereiter upon the occasion of
his designation as the recipient of the Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advoca-
cy Award on May 11, 2015

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those individuals within the great Empire State who have made
strong contributions to the disability community; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Michael Seer-
eiter of Albany, New York, upon the occasion of his designation as the
eleventh recipient of the annual "Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr." Advocacy
Award presented at the 2015 Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day spon-
sored by the New York State Assembly Task Force on People with Disabili-
ties and the New York State Assembly Committee on Mental Health on May
11, 2015; and
WHEREAS, The "Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr." Advocacy Award was created in
2005 to honor the late Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. for his lifelong commit-
ment to advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, The tremendous efforts that Michael Seereiter has made to
improve and enhance the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities are
worthy of this recognition; and
WHEREAS, Michael Seereiter has been President/CEO of the New York
State Rehabilitation Association, an organization representing rehabili-
tation providers that advocates on behalf of individuals with differing
abilities and the agencies who provide those supports; and
WHEREAS, In this capacity, Michael Seereiter leads an organization
that collaborates with stakeholders throughout systems that impact
people with varying disabilities, including developmental disabilities,
psychiatric disabilities, substance use disorders, and physical disabil-
ities, to shape public policy; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Michael Seereiter also serves as the
President/CEO of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Institute, an
organization that serves as a resource to promote progressive and prac-
tical support and assistance to providers of services to people with
disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining the New York State Rehabilitation Associ-
ation and the Rehabilitation Research and Training Institute, Michael
Seereiter served as the Director of Planning for the New York State
Office of Mental Health; and
WHEREAS, In that executive management team position, Michael Seereiter
lead the strategic planning efforts of the agency, playing a critical
role in the development of a plan now being implemented to fundamentally
shift the focus of mental health supports in New York State from inpa-
tient hospitals to community-based settings; and
WHEREAS, Before his work within the New York State Office of Mental
Health, Michael Seereiter served as the Administrator of New York
State's Medicaid Infrastructure Grant and the New York Makes Work Pay
program where he lead a multi-state agency federally-funded grant
program focused on creating competitive employment opportunities for
people with varying disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Previously, Michael Seereiter served as the Director of
Mental Hygiene Services in the New York State Governor's Office, where
he had direct oversight responsibility for five state agencies, includ-
ing the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabili-
ties, the New York State Office of Mental Health, and the New York State
Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining the Governor's Office, Michael Seereiter
served as the Director of Public Policy for the Mental Health Associ-

ation in New York State, Inc., playing a lead role in efforts to enact
the mental health insurance parity law, known as Timothy's Law; and
WHEREAS, Michael Seereiter also served as Legislative Director for
then New York State Assembly Mental Health and Developmental Disabili-
ties Committee Chair, Marty Luster; and
WHEREAS, On a personal level, Michael Seereiter has a brother with
Down syndrome, an experience he credits for helping to drive him into a
professional career working on behalf of individuals with disabilities;
and
WHEREAS, Michael Seereiter plays a key role in the organization and
support of the services on which his brother relies, including the
management and oversight of the direct support professional staff on
which his brother relies to support his many volunteer and various other
activities in the community on a daily basis; and
WHEREAS, Michael Seereiter has dedicated both his professional and
personal life to improving the lives of people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, The initiatives that Michael Seereiter strives to implement
as a passionate advocate for persons with disabilities mirror the prior-
ities that this Assembled Body has before us today, the New York State
Assembly Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day 2015; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Michael Seereiter, a
leader and an advocate, recognizing his labors and the promise of his
future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Michael Seereiter upon the occasion of his designation as the
recipient of the Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award by the New York
State Assembly; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Michael Seereiter.