Senate Resolution No. 819

BY: Senator PERSAUD

COMMENDING Jewish National Fund upon the occasion
of launching Jewish Disabilities Action Month

WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations devoted to improving the
quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and
self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and

WHEREAS, From time to time, society calls upon these individuals and
organizations to be recognized for the significance of their
contributions and efforts to assist others in developing the skills
necessary to be successful, productive citizens; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Jewish
National Fund upon the occasion of launching Jewish Disabilities Action
Month, "More than a Campaign of Awareness, Because Awareness Isn't
Enough"; and

WHEREAS, Established in 1901, Jewish National Fund (JNF) is a
registered organization and United Nations NGO which continuously
strives to bring an enhanced quality of life to all of Israel's
residents, and translate these advancements to the world beyond; and

WHEREAS, JNF is greening the desert with millions of trees, building
thousands of parks, creating new communities and cities for generations
of Israelis to call home, helping develop innovative arid-agriculture
techniques, and educating both young and old about the founding and
importance of Israel and Zionism; and

WHEREAS, While February is known as Jewish Disabilities Awareness
Month, Jewish National Fund is rebranding it as an "Action Month" to
ensure that everyone, regardless of individual challenges, is able to
feel that they are supported and belong; and

WHEREAS, Nearly one in five people in the United States, and one in
eight people in Israel, live with a disability; JNF and its partners
work daily to help children and adults in Israel who have physical,
sensory, mental health, and intellectual disabilities to enjoy a better
quality of life; and

WHEREAS, JNF partners include Aleh Negev-Nahalat Eran, LOTEM-Making
Nature Accessible, Red Mountain Therapeutic Riding Center at Kibbutz
Grofit, and Special in Uniform; and

WHEREAS, In addition, the new JNF Task Force on Disabilities has
been created to bring partner organizations together to share resources
and meet the needs of those with disabilities in Israel's North and
South where there are typically fewer services available; and

WHEREAS, JNF truly gives all generations of the Jewish community a
unique voice in building a prosperous future for the land of Israel and
its people; and

WHEREAS, The success of Jewish National Fund is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its 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 the organization and the
community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Jewish National Fund upon the occasion of launching Jewish
Disabilities Action Month; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jewish National Fund.