LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Matilda Raffa Cuomo upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award by
the New York Conference of Italian American State Legislators

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals of true purpose and worthy accomplishment who foster
ethnic pride and strive to preserve their cultural heritage, thereby
enhancing the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric
of community throughout this great 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
Matilda Raffa Cuomo upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award selection by the New York Conference
of Italian American State Legislators to be celebrated on June 8, 2015,
in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of St. John's University's Teachers College,
Matilda Raffa Cuomo was married to the late former Governor Mario Cuomo
for more than 50 years, and is the mother of the current Governor Andrew
M. Cuomo, and, Maria, Margaret, Madeline, and Christopher; and
WHEREAS, Matilda Raffa Cuomo has dedicated her whole life to community
service and has long been a respected and distinguished advocate on
behalf of women, children, and families as well as an advocate for
Italian culture and heritage; and
WHEREAS, As First Lady of New York State from 1983 to 1995, she worked
diligently as a volunteer with state and elected officials, and communi-
ty leaders in an effort to establish programs to prevent child abuse,
strengthen families, promote adoption for foster care children, and
prevent school drop-out; and
WHEREAS, Matilda Raffa Cuomo also helped establish the Mentoring
Program which provides mentors for children who face issues such as
dropping out of school and teenage pregnancy; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, this remarkable woman chaired and served as
chief spokesperson for the New York State Decade of the Child initi-
ative, co-chaired the Governor's Commission on Child Care, and chaired
the New York State Citizens Task Force on the Prevention of Child Abuse
and Neglect; and
WHEREAS, Matilda Raffa Cuomo also led New York State's participation
in the United Nations' 1990 World Summit for Children and the U.S.
ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, has also
traveled to Africa on behalf of UNICEF, and has been associated with the
Day of the African Child since its inception; and
WHEREAS, In 1994, Matilda Raffa Cuomo was invited to the Republic of
Malta to launch the International Year of the Family, and in 1997, she
was invited by President Clinton and Colin Powell to participate in the
President's First Summit on Volunteerism; and
WHEREAS, A member of numerous civic and professional organizations,
Matilda Raffa Cuomo was one of the founders of Mentoring USA Italia, and
also serves as a lifetime National Assembly Board Member of the National
American Cancer Society and as a Board Member of the President's Council
of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City; and
WHEREAS, Matilda Raffa Cuomo has truly distinguished herself through
her lifetime of compassionate service, and, subsequently, the Italian-
American community and all of New York State has profited greatly from
her talent and dedication; 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 Matilda Raffa Cuomo upon the occasion of her designation as recip-
ient of the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award by the New York Conference
of Italian American State Legislators; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Matilda Raffa Cuomo.