Senate Resolution No. 2754

BY: Senator BRESLIN

COMMENDING The Honorable Jack McEneny upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Norman S. Rice Arts, Culture and Education Award by
the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District on
June 16, 2017

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their
valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The
Honorable Jack McEneny upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the Norman S. Rice Arts, Culture and Education Award by the Downtown
Albany Business Improvement District, to be celebrated at a Garden Party
on Friday, June 16, 2017, at Tricentennial Park, in Albany, New York;
and

WHEREAS, Since 1996, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement
District (BID) has diligently worked to restore, promote and maintain
the character and vitality of downtown Albany; this vital organization
is proud to present its 2017 free outdoor Placemaking exhibit: "Downtown
is Pawsome," celebrating Albany's famous canine resident Nipper; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious award is named in recognition of the legacy
of Norman S. Rice to the cultural and educational landscape of the
Capital Region Arts, and honors an individual for their own lasting
contributions to arts, culture and education for the local community;
and

WHEREAS, Honorees such as Jack McEneny demonstrate significant
accomplishment in exposing the arts to a public audience in their role
either as arts advocate, as an artist themselves, or as an art educator;
and

WHEREAS, A native of Albany, Jack McEneny grew up in the Pine Hills
neighborhood; after graduating from Christian Brothers Academy, he
earned his bachelor's degree in history from Siena College; he furthered
his education by attending New Mexico State University, and Harvard
University's John F. Kennedy School of Government; and

WHEREAS, After serving in the Peace Corps in Columbia, South
America, Jack McEneny worked as a welfare case worker in Cohoes, New
York, and was a teacher at the Hackett Middle School; at the young age
of 26, he was appointed to lead the Albany County Office of CETA Job
Corps, a position he held from 1971-1984; and

WHEREAS, Jack McEneny also worked with the Albany Youth Bureau;
throughout his tenure, 3,300 people were employed in 200 agencies
throughout the city; and

WHEREAS, From 1985-1989, Jack McEneny held the title of the first
Director of the New York State Urban Cultural Parks Program, and served
as the Deputy County Executive from 1989 to 1991; and

WHEREAS, Jack McEneny began his long and distinguished political
career in 1991, when he won a write-in campaign for the Albany County
Legislature; he was easily reelected to several terms ending in 2006;
and

WHEREAS, For two years, Jack McEneny served as the Chief of Staff
for New York State Assemblyman Richard Conners; after Richard's
retirement, Jack ran for the position in 1992, and subsequently, won a
four-way primary for the seat in September of 1992, and the general
election that November; after two decades of esteemed public service, he
declined to run for an 11th term, and retired at the end of 2012; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his political career, Jack McEneny served
for over 10 years as the Albany County Historian; today, he continues to
archive historical documents; and

WHEREAS, An accomplished author, Jack McEneny wrote or co-wrote
several non-fiction books, including Albany: Capital City on the Hudson;
and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his four children, John,
Rachel, Daniel and Maeve; his granddaughter, Madeline Maeve; and his
late wife, Barbara Leonard, all of whom have shown him love and support
and rejoice in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community 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
commend The Honorable Jack McEneny upon the occasion of his designation
as recipient of the Norman S. Rice Arts, Culture and Education Award by
the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Jack McEneny.