The New York State Senate

J5675

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Andrea P. Thau upon the occasion of
her inauguration as President of the American Optometric Association on
July 2, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
Andrea P. Thau, OD, FAAO, FCOVD, DPNAP, upon the occasion of her inaugu-
ration as President of the American Optometric Association on Saturday,
July 2, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The American Optometric Association was founded in 1898, and
is a federation that serves 39,000 doctors of optometry, optometry
students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians by setting
professional standards, promoting efficient and effective patient care,
advocating on behalf of the optometric profession, and providing
research and education leadership; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea P. Thau was first elected to the American Optome-
tric Association Board of Trustees in 2007 and elected Vice President in
June 2014, and serves as chair of the AOA 401 (k) Committee, is a member
of the AOA Executive, Agenda and Personnel Committees, and serves as
board liaison to affiliate associations in five states; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea P. Thau, was the first woman president of the New
York State Optometric Association, the New York Academy of Optometry,
and the Optometric Society of the City of New York; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea P. Thau is a Fellow of the American Academy of
Optometry, a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Develop-
ment, a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, and a Distin-
guished Practitioner of the National Academies of Practice; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea P. Thau, is a champion of children's vision and a
nationally recognized lecturer in the area of infant's and children's
vision, and is a founder of the AOA's InfantSEE public health program, a
national program that provides free vision assessments to infants, and
is a founding member and former vice president of the New York Chil-
dren's Vision Coalition, which is dedicated to ensuring that every child
in New York receives an eye examination prior to school entry; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea P. Thau is the recipient of numerous awards,
including New York State Optometrist of the Year, SUNY Optometry Alumnus
of the Year, 20/20 MAGAZINE'S Best and Brightest Eyecare Professional,
and is a two time winner of VISION MONDAY'S 20 Most Influential Women in
Optical; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Dr. Andrea P. Thau has displayed
throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize that
those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their profession and
state and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence
certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the accomplishments of Dr. Andrea P. Thau on the occasion of her
inauguration as President of the American Optometric Association; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Andrea P. Thau.