Senate Resolution No. 2378

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Father Peter Young upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the Hope and
Hospitality Award by Circles of Mercy on June 14,
2017

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

WHEREAS, Father Peter Young has given not only of his time and
energies but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently has been designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Father Peter
Young upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Hope and
Hospitality Award by the Circles of Mercy, to be celebrated at its
Annual Gala "A Taste of Mercy" on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at the
Shaker Ridge Country Club in Loudonville, New York; and

WHEREAS, Circles of Mercy, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy
Northeast Community, is dedicated to improving the quality of life in
the community by working to end the cycle of poverty, especially among
women and women with children; and

WHEREAS, This vital organization honors the dignity of each person
by offering hospitality and providing services, compassion, stewardship,
leadership and collaboration, which is performed in an effort to instill
hope and empower individuals to reach their full potential; and

WHEREAS, Established in 2004, the Hope and Hospitality Award is
presented annually to someone in the local community who exemplifies the
charisma of the Sisters of Mercy; the recipient lives a merciful life,
exemplified by the sharing of their time, talent and treasure, in
support of the Sisters of Mercy and their sponsored ministry, Circles of
Mercy; and

WHEREAS, Peter Young's first assignment as a priest was in a poverty
stricken downtown section of Albany considered the combat zone; and

WHEREAS, During the day, Peter Young taught at the parish school in
Albany, however at night he would take in up to 200 men and women
looking for a place to sleep at the school's gymnasium; and

WHEREAS, Often, these people turned violent, requiring Peter Young
to restrain them at night; the next morning, he would sit and talk with
those same individuals and discovered they were decent people, caught in
addiction; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Peter Young realized that the laws
criminalizing addiction were unjust; he diligently worked to educate
everyone about the disease of addiction and developed a treatment model
called the Comprehensive Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Program,
which is still in use today; and


WHEREAS, Over the years, Peter Young has founded and been involved
with numerous organizations offering treatment, housing and vocational
programs; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Peter Young has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Peter Young has displayed
throughout his life; 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 Father Peter Young upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Hope and Hospitality Award by Circles of Mercy on June
14, 2017, and to wish him continued success in all of his future
endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Father Peter Young.