Senate Resolution No. 208

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

COMMENDING Tom McKeown upon his retirement after
14 years of distinguished service to ARISE Child and
Family Services in Syracuse, New York

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and deserve to be recognized by the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those
esteemed individuals who have been committed to the pursuit of
excellence and who bring great pride to the citizens of our State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is proud to commend Tom
McKeown upon his retirement after 14 years of distinguished service to
ARISE Child and Family Services in Syracuse, New York; and

WHEREAS, Viewed by his friends, family, and co-workers as a
phenomenal individual, Tom McKeown has enriched the lives of many others
in the Central New York community as a dignified leader who treats every
person who connects with ARISE with the utmost respect; and

WHEREAS, As a long-time resident of the Northside of Syracuse, Tom
McKeown has always felt a strong connection to his community, motivating
him to become an active and vital force in improving Central New York;
and

WHEREAS, ARISE is a non-profit, community-based organization founded
in 1979, that works to ensure that everyone, regardless of disability,
has the power to make life choices to achieve their dreams; since their
inception, they have provided opportunities to people with disabilities
to allow them to live freely and independently in the community; and

WHEREAS, On July 29, 2002, Tom McKeown joined ARISE as the
organization's Executive Director; in this capacity, Tom McKeown has
furthered the organization's mission to work with people of all
abilities and promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities in
a fair and just community; he has also led ARISE through a period of
tremendous growth with regard to the number of programs offered as well
as the organization's region of service; and

WHEREAS, Initially, ARISE covered the two counties of Oswego and
Onondaga, but under the leadership of Tom McKeown, they eventually
expanded to offer services in Madison County and then in Cayuga and
Seneca Counties; ARISE currently serves more than 7,000 people with 50
different programs in five separate counties; and

WHEREAS, Tom McKeown was also instrumental in expanding ARISE at the
Farm, an inclusive recreation center located on a 77-acre working horse
farm in Chittenango, which provides various activities from therapeutic
horseback riding to summer camps and a high ropes course; and

WHEREAS, When Tom McKeown first took charge as Executive Director,
ARISE was a small organization which employed 120 people with a small
budget; today, ARISE employs approximately 700 people of all abilities
and has quadrupled their annual budget; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the course of his career as ARISE's Executive
Director, Tom McKeown has demonstrated a strong and unwavering
commitment to the Independent Living Philosophy, and has remained
committed, passionate and genuine in working to help improve the lives
of others within his community; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Tom McKeown has also actively worked
throughout the years with government officials, on all levels, to
advocate on behalf of the organization; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
dedicated professionals, who unselfishly devote their lives to the
health and well-being of a society, are worthy of the praise of the
State of New York for their commitment and contributions; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Tom McKeown upon the occasion of his retirement after 14 years
of distinguished service to ARISE Child and Family Services in Syracuse,
New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
hereby transmitted to Tom McKeown.