Senate Resolution No. 5272

BY: Senator O'MARA

HONORING Marlene Carpentier upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the 2018 Older New
Yorker of the Year Award

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commend the
senior citizens of the Empire State who, as they reach the fullness of
years, continue to be active and vital participants in the life of their
community; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Marlene Carpentier upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the 2018 Older New Yorker of the Year Award, to be celebrated on
Tuesday, May 22, 2018; and

WHEREAS, A woman of singular distinction, she has continually
demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence and diligent
leadership in her unwavering service to her community and, consequently,
has been selected for this most prestigious honor; and

WHEREAS, Born in Binghamton, New York, Marlene Carpentier graduated
from Elmira College in 1959; she taught elementary school in Newburgh
and Horseheads, New York from 1959 to 1963; and

WHEREAS, North Presbyterian Church in Elmira, New York, houses a
food pantry that is staffed three days a week by volunteers; at the
heart of this operation is Marlene Carpentier; and

WHEREAS, For the last 30 years, this extraordinary woman has quietly
devoted her life to the food pantry, working diligently and
compassionately for those who are less fortunate; beginning as an
assistant, she was promoted to coordinator in 1999, overseeing all
aspects of the Food Pantry; and

WHEREAS, Marlene Carpentier was instrumental in the establishment of
the Pantry Patch Garden, a program which supplies fresh vegetables to
clients; what began as a storage closet has grown into a full-fledged
pantry that fed more than 5,000 people in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, under her loving hand and guidance, Marlene
Carpentier ensures that all those who come to the pantry are treated
with respect and dignity; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her
community, Marlene Carpentier serves as a nursery school and literacy
volunteer; she also gives of her time and energies to the American
Cancer Society and Hendy Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, Marlene Carpentier embodies the principles and ideals that
make us proud to be Americans and has been an active volunteer for three
decades; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Marlene Carpentier has
displayed throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her two children and five
grandchildren, who have all shown her love and support and rejoice in
her many achievements; 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, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Marlene Carpentier upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the 2018 Older New Yorker of the Year Award; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Marlene Carpentier.