Senate Resolution No. 448

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

HONORING Joseph Slavik upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Mugavero Award by
the New York State Council of Catholic Charities
Directors

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those esteemed individuals within our midst whose work and civic
endeavors have enhanced the quality of life in their communities and the
great State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The character of life in the Central New York area has been
ably served and uniquely enriched through the selfless dedication and
benevolent concern of Joseph Slavik; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Joseph Slavik upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Mugavero Award by the New York State Council of Catholic Charities
Directors to be celebrated at its annual reception on Monday, February
6, 2017, at the Renaissance Albany Hotel; and

WHEREAS, The Mugavero Award is given to an individual for a lifetime
of contributions to Catholic Charities, and is named after Reverend
Francis J. Mugavero who was the Brooklyn Diocesan Director of Catholic
Charities from 1960 to 1968; he served as the chairperson of the
Committee of Catholic Charities Directors from its inception in 1966
until January of 1969; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Slavik is receiving the Mugavero Award for his 42
years of dedicated service to the agency; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Slavik, originally from the Binghamton area, grew up
as the oldest in a family of nine children, and learned about charity
from both his parents and Monsignor Ronald C. Bill of Binghamton, New
York; at just 19-years old, Joseph began coaching CYO basketball; and

WHEREAS, In January of 1975, Joseph Slavik started his career as
Director of Youth Services for Catholic Charities of Broome County,
where he was also the agency's first Lay Director; and

WHEREAS, Five years later, Joseph Slavik was appointed as Executive
Director of Catholic Charities of Broome County and served the
organization in this position for three decades; and

WHEREAS, In January of 2010, Joseph Slavik was named President and
CEO of Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, a
position in which he oversaw and managed the six-area county offices
that make up the Diocese; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Slavik has served on numerous boards throughout his
career including Broome County Department of Social Services Advisory
Board, Upstate Medical Physicians Free Clinic Board, Christopher

Community Housing Corporation Board, New York State Catholic Conference
Charities Directors Board, and the Fidelis Care of New York Board; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Joseph Slavik has received many awards
and accolades for his notable work and community involvement such as the
2014 Jefferson Award from WBNG Channel 12 in Binghamton; he was also
commissioned a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in
2014; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his entire career, Joseph Slavik has facilitated
the growth of both agencies of the Catholic Diocese and those in his
local area, especially ones serving individuals with special needs; and

WHEREAS, More recently, Joseph Slavik has been instrumental in
developing a strategic partnership with the Diocese of Albany, Syracuse,
Rochester, and Buffalo in their development of The Children's Health
Home, which serves special needs children in Upstate New York; and

WHEREAS, At the end of December of 2016, Joseph Slavik officially
retired as President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Syracuse after 42 years of dedicated service to Catholic
Charities; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and having contributed to the growth and excellence of this
great Empire State, Joseph Slavik, in every capacity in which he served,
has left a permanent mark on Catholic Charities and his community; he
will be forever remembered as a determined, innovative, and genuinely
concerned individual; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Joseph Slavik upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Mugavero Award by the New York State Council of Catholic Charities
Directors, and to wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Joseph Slavik.