Senate Resolution No. 2253

BY: Senator GOLDEN

HONORING Ilene Sacco, Esq. upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the 2017 Civic Award
by the Bay Ridge Community Council

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the
great State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good
works of those civic-minded community members who dedicate their lives
and careers to the service of others; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Ilene Sacco, Esq. upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the 2017 Civic Award by the Bay Ridge Community Council to be celebrated
at its 66th Annual Dinner Dance on Thursday, June 1, 2017, at Rex Manor
in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, Born and raised in Queens, New York, Ilene Sacco fell in
love with Brooklyn, especially the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge and Dyker
Heights, in the early 1990s, when she started working for the Kings
County District Attorney's Office; and

WHEREAS, Ilene Sacco earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees
in Criminal Justice from John Jay College; she then furthered her
education by obtaining her law degree from New York Law School in 1994;
and

WHEREAS, Ilene Sacco began her distinguished law career as Deputy of
Community Relations, in the New York City Comptroller's Office; she also
served as both Counsel and Director of the Brooklyn Office of City
Councilman James S. Oddo, and Counsel to Primary Land Title Company; and

WHEREAS, Currently, Ilene Sacco holds the position of Director of
the New York City Waiver Unit with the New York State Office of People
with Developmental Disabilities; in this capacity, she manages almost a
billion dollars' worth of services which help people with developmental
disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Ilene Sacco has always been extremely involved in her
hometown community of Queens, and her Brooklyn community; for many
years, she has served as the President of the 68th Precinct Community
Council; and

WHEREAS, Under her luminous leadership, this vital organization was
named in a Unit Citation which was given to the precinct from the NYPD;
this feat is very rare as Unit Citations almost always list
accomplishments done by local precincts, by giving this citation, the
NYPD recognized the importance of the Council and the fact that this
particular Council truly works hand in hand with the precinct; and

WHEREAS, Moreover, the Council was honored for its work by NIA, one
of the neighborhood's larger community groups; and

WHEREAS, Through her able direction, the 68th Precinct Community
Council proudly hosted one of the largest National Night Out Against
Crime in the city, with this year's attendance reaching over 5,000
people; most recently, the Council established Summer of Support, a
three month project created to collect pictures, cards, letters and
posters showing support for police; the project was an overwhelming
success and the Council proudly displayed the entire precinct with the
materials they received; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her invaluable work with the 68th Precinct
Community Council, Ilene Sacco served as President of the Bay Ridge
Community Council, Vice President of the Bay Ridge Lions Club, and was a
vital member of Reaching Out Community Services Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, Today, Ilene Sacco holds the title of First Vice President
of the Bay Ridge Community Council, and Treasurer of the Ragamuffin
Parade Committee; she is also a participant of the Boards of Directors
for both the Dyker Heights Civic Association and the Resource Training
Center, and a trustee of the Kassenbrock Brothers Memorial Scholarship
Fund, as well as an Advisor to the Board for the 68th Precinct Community
Council; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable public servant works closely with the
Merchants of Third Avenue, where she is coordinating its Summer Stroll
event; and

WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her
community, Ilene Sacco was the recipient of numerous awards and
accolades including the Ronald Reagan Americanism Award, the Top
Brooklyn Women in Business Award by the Home Reporter/Brooklyn Spectator
newspapers, and the Community Leadership Award by the Guild for
Exceptional Children; and

WHEREAS, Ilene Sacco was also named the Woman of the Year by the
Advocates for Services for the Blind and Multi-handicapped and by the
Dyker Heights Civic Association, Lion of the Year by the Bay Ridge
Lions, Brooklyn Woman of Distinction by the Kings County District
Attorney's Office, and Civic Leader of the Year by Brooklyn Democrats
for Change and by Reaching Out Community Services; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Ilene Sacco received awards of merit from many
organizations including Community School District 20, the Fifth Avenue
Board of Trade, the Merchants of Third Avenue, Fort Hamilton Army
Garrison, and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation; she
was also given commendations and citations from numerous elected
officials; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout has been her husband, John Walsh, who
has shown her love and supports and rejoices in her many achievements;
and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, 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 Ilene Sacco, Esq. upon the occasion of her designation as

recipient of the 2017 Civic Award by the Bay Ridge Community Council;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Ilene Sacco, Esq.