Senate Resolution No. 5460

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Betsy R. Ruslander upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the Howard A. Levine
Award for Excellence in Juvenile Justice and Child
Welfare by the New York State Bar Association's
Committee on Children and Law

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Betsy R. Ruslander upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Howard A. Levine Award for Excellence in Juvenile Justice and Child
Welfare by the New York State Bar Association's Committee on Children
and Law, to be celebrated on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at State Bar
Center's Great Hall, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the New York State Bar Association's Committee
on Children and the Law presents the Howard A. Levine Award for
Excellence in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare to recognize
individuals who have done outstanding work to improve New York's child
welfare and juvenile justice systems; Betsy R. Ruslander is one such
individual; and

WHEREAS, Betsy R. Ruslander is the Director of the Office of
Attorneys for Children for the New York State, Supreme Court, Appellate
Division, Third Judicial Department; and

WHEREAS, Prior to serving in this esteemed position, Betsy R.
Ruslander was the Assistant Director from 1994 to 2010, primarily in
charge of coordinating training for the panel attorneys in the 28
counties of the Third Judicial Department; and

WHEREAS, A graduate of Gettysburg College and Pace University School
of Law, Betsy R. Ruslander was admitted to the practice of law in the
State of New York in January of 1987; and

WHEREAS, Betsy R. Ruslander began her illustrious legal career as an
associate with the law firm of Ainsworth, Sullivan, Tracy & Knauf, where
she practiced civil defense litigation for nearly eight years and served
as a law guardian in Albany County Family Court; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to her profession, Betsy R. Ruslander is a
long time member and former Chair of the New York State Bar
Association's Committee on Children; she was also a member of the
Character and Fitness Committee for the Appellate Division, Third
Judicial Department for 24 years; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Betsy R. Ruslander is a member of the
Statewide Advisory Committee on Attorneys for Children, the New York

State Children's Justice Task Force, and the NYS OCFS Child Welfare
Court Improvement Project Statewide Multidisciplinary Child Welfare
Workgroup; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Betsy R. Ruslander has
displayed throughout her 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
Betsy R. Ruslander, that future generations may know and appreciate her
admirable character, her many benevolent deeds, and the respect and
esteem in which she is held by her peers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Betsy R. Ruslander upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Howard A. Levine Award for Excellence in Juvenile
Justice and Child Welfare by the New York State Bar Association's
Committee on Children and Law; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Betsy R. Ruslander.