Senate Resolution No. 4505

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Dr. John Kennedy, Jr. upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of the Professional
of the Year Award by the Northeastern Association of
the Blind at Albany on April 21, 2018

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

WHEREAS, Dr. John Kennedy, Jr. has given not only of his time and
energies but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently has been designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr. John
Kennedy, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Professional of the Year Award by the Northeastern Association of the
Blind at Albany, to be celebrated at its Annual Visionary Gala, on
Saturday, April 21, 2018, at the Franklin Plaza Ballroom, Troy, New
York; and

WHEREAS, Since 1908, the Northeastern Association of the Blind at
Albany (NABA) has provided comprehensive services and programs to
residents of the greater Capital Region who are blind or visually
impaired; in 2016, they helped over 900 individuals of all ages across
14 counties adapt to vision loss, maximize remaining vision, achieve
their goals, and expand their independence; and

WHEREAS, In addition, NABA offered screenings to over 4,000 children
between 18 months and five years of age for possible vision problems;
and

WHEREAS, John Kennedy, Jr. received a Bachelor of Science degree
from the University of Notre Dame before earning his Medical degree from
the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara; he completed his internship at
Maryland General Hospital, and his Ophthalmology Residency at
Friedenwald Institute at Maryland General Hospital; and

WHEREAS, After serving as an attending in ophthalmology at Ellis
Hospital and St. Clare's Hospital, Dr. John Kennedy, Jr. served as a
consultant in ophthalmology at Bellevue Hospital; he went on to become a
consultant in ophthalmology at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital, the
esteemed position he continues to hold today; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his profession, Dr. John Kennedy, Jr. has
been an active member of the Schenectady County Medical Society, the
Medical Society of New York, and the American Medical Association since
1980; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he has served as Chair of the New York
delegation since 2016, and as a Fellow at the American Academy of
Ophthalmology since 1982; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to the
community, Dr. John Kennedy, Jr. was a member of NABA from 1989 until
1995, as well as its President from 1992 to 1994; he also served as
Chair of the Notre Dame Club of Northeastern New York; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Dr. John Kennedy, Jr. has
displayed throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body
to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent
of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to
Dr. John Kennedy, Jr., that future generations may know and appreciate
his admirable character, his many benevolent deeds, and the respect and
esteem in which he is held by his peers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. John Kennedy, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Professional of the Year Award by the Northeastern
Association of the Blind at Albany on April 21, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. John Kennedy, Jr.