Senate Resolution No. 3112

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Siena College upon the occasion of being
named the 2017 Outstanding Community Partner by the
Food Pantries for the Capital District

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
organizations and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare
of the community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Siena College upon the occasion of being named the 2017 Outstanding
Community Partner by the Food Pantries for the Capital District at its
6th Annual Harvest Evening Celebration to benefit the food pantries at
Revolution Hall, in Troy, New York, on Thursday, October 5, 2017; Joe
Donahue of WAMC will serve as this year's Master of Ceremonies; and

WHEREAS, Siena College, under the able leadership of its current
President Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D., is an independent Roman
Catholic liberal arts college located in Loudonville, New York; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1937 by seven Franciscan friars, this
outstanding institution is a four-year, coeducational, independent
college in the Franciscan tradition; with an academic staff of 317 and
administrative staff of 150, it has 3,000 full-time students and offers
undergraduate degrees in business, liberal arts, and sciences; and

WHEREAS, The college was named after Saint Bernardino of Siena, a
15th-Century Italian Franciscan friar and preacher; St. Bernardine of
Siena Friary is located on campus; and

WHEREAS, Consisting of 174 acres, the Siena "Saints" motto is "The
Education of a Lifetime"; with colors of green and gold, its fight song
is "When the Saints Go Marching In" and the mascot is Bernie "Saint"
Bernard; and

WHEREAS, The Food Pantries for the Capital District has been feeding
the hungry since 1979; each year, the food pantries provide groceries
for 2.7 million meals; just $1 can provide 6.25 pounds of food to a
hungry neighbor; and

WHEREAS, There are more than 1 in 10 people struggling with food
insecurity or having adequate food resources for a healthy life in the
Capital District service area; that is 82,260 people (11.99%); and

WHEREAS, Fortunately, the network of more than 60 food pantries last
year helped 47,000 people utilized the food pantries for emergency and
supplemental food assistance and received enough food for more than 2.7
million meals; and

WHEREAS, Unfortunately, there are many more in need who are not able
to access the community food pantry resources; the "Filling the Gap"

Food Pantry System and Community Needs Assessment and program
development is working to better understand community needs and improve
the resources of the local food pantry system; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
institutions 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 Siena College upon the occasion of being named the 2017
Outstanding Community Partner by the Food Pantries for the Capital
District; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to President Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D, Siena
College.