Senate Resolution No. 387

BY: Senator ORTT

COMMENDING Catholic Charities of New York State
upon the occasion of celebrating their 100th
Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
commend Catholic Charities upon the occasion of celebrating their 100th
Anniversary; and

WHEREAS, A vital presence in the State of New York for 100 years,
Catholic Charities agencies serve more than one million clients
annually, with programs in all 62 counties of the State; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing the significant role of the Catholic Church's
charitable efforts to serve the poor in our State, the New York State
Legislature passed a special act formally incorporating Catholic
Charities with Governor Charles Whitman signing the measure into law on
April 24, 1917; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its storied history, Catholic Charities has
provided help and hope for millions of New Yorkers, non-Catholics and
Catholics alike; whether it is needing food on the table, help with a
utility bill, legal services, or other community service, Catholic
Charities is always ready in New Yorkers' hour of need; and

WHEREAS, In the 1960s, as the Catholic Church became more involved
in world affairs, religious communities and clergy built links between
people and neighborhoods to support the War on Poverty and advocate for
those in need; and

WHEREAS, In the 1970s, Catholic Charities was instrumental in
developing policies for community-based services and programs for
persons with developmental disabilities; and

WHEREAS, In the 1980s, Catholic Charities and New York's Bishops
issued a "Statement on the Care and Treatment of those Suffering from
Mental Illness"; and

WHEREAS, Today, Catholic Charities continues its leadership role, to
make sure all New Yorkers receive counsel and services they need; its
continual evolution provides Catholic Charities with flexibility to
respond quickly when crises strike; and

WHEREAS, When terrorists attacked on 9/11, Catholic Charities helped
establish an integrated system of services; when back-to-back hurricanes
Rita and Katrina hit in 2005, Catholic Charities helped hundreds of
displaced Gulf-region residents rebuild their lives; and when Hurricane

Sandy pounded New York in 2012, the organization helped mobilize
comprehensive disaster relief; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, Catholic Charities was granted approval by the New
York State Department of Health to operate the Encompass Family Health
Home, providing case management services to children in the dioceses of
Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo; and

WHEREAS, Now, as Catholic Charities in New York State celebrates its
Centennial Anniversary, it draws on its history of innovation and
service to continue to evolve and touch almost every human need; and

WHEREAS, The success of Catholic Charities in New York is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its management, staff, and volunteers,
whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an
impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of this organization
and the communities it serves; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous guidance of the eight diocesan Catholic
Charities Directors, Catholic Charities in New York has strived to
fulfill the changing needs of its community, and remains steadfast in
its commitment to serving people of all ages, races, faiths,
backgrounds, incomes and abilities for many years to come; 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, bet it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Catholic Charities in New York State upon the occasion of
celebrating their 100th Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Richard E. Barnes, New York State Catholic Conference
Executive Director and Michael A. Lawler, Director, Catholic Charities
of New York.