Senate Resolution No. 3036

BY: Senator AVELLA

COMMENDING Charles Houston upon the occasion of
his retirement after many years of distinguished
service as Executive Director of Queens Centers for
Progress

WHEREAS, Individuals devoted to improving the quality of life for
others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and self-worth are
deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and

WHEREAS, From time to time, society calls upon these individuals to
be recognized for the significance of their contributions and efforts to
assist others in developing the skills necessary to be successful,
productive citizens; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Charles
Houston upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of
distinguished service as Executive Director of Queens Centers for
Progress, to be celebrated on Thursday, June 22, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Charles Houston, affectionately known as Charlie, began his
illustrious career in vocational rehabilitation in the late 1960s,
working in several New York City agencies as a vocational evaluator,
rehabilitation counselor, workshop manager, and vocational program
administrator; and

WHEREAS, In 1981, Charlie Houston started working for Queens Centers
for Progress (QCP), formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Queens, an agency
in New York City which provides comprehensive services to children and
adults with developmental disabilities; just six years later he was
promoted to Executive Director, the esteemed position from which he will
retire; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, the agency has grown more than
fourfold and has greatly expanded its range of services; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Houston has been instrumental in this tremendous
growth, overseeing more than 600 of the agency's staff in providing
clinical, therapeutic, educational, residential, vocational, and day
service options to individuals from infancy to senior citizens; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Houston has been active in several statewide and
national provider associations including as: Board member and past
President of the InterAgency Council of Mental Retardation and
Disability Services agencies; Board member and past Treasurer of the New
York State Rehabilitation Association; Board member of Advance of
Greater New York; and Board member and past President of ACCSES, a
national organization representing providers of services to people with
disabilities; and

WHEREAS, After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown
University, Charlie Houston spent two years in graduate school at NYU,
went into VISTA, and then obtained his Master of Arts degree in
Rehabilitation Counseling; and


WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Julie, and their
two children, Molly and James, as well as one granddaughter, all of whom
feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his
achievements; and

WHEREAS, For the past 36 years, Charlie Houston rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to Queens Centers for Progress,
earning the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; 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 the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Charles Houston upon the occasion of his retirement after many
years of distinguished service as Executive Director of Queens Centers
for Progress; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Charles Houston.