Assembly Resolution No. 470

BY: M. of A. Barrett

HONORING Glenn Liebman upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Dr. Henry Viscardi,
Jr. Advocacy Award on May 22, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those individuals within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to the disability community; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Glenn
Liebman upon the occasion of his designation as the 13th recipient of
the Annual Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award presented at the 2017
Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day sponsored by the New York State
Assembly Task Force on People with Disabilities and the New York State
Assembly Committee on Mental Health on Monday, May 22, 2017; and

WHEREAS, The Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award was created in
2005 to honor the late Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. for his lifelong
commitment to advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The tremendous efforts that Glenn Liebman has made to
improve and enhance the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities are
worthy of this recognition; and

WHEREAS, Glenn Liebman earned his bachelor's degree and his master's
degree in Political Science from the State University at Albany; and

WHEREAS, From 1994-1999, Glenn Liebman served as the Executive
Director of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of New York State, now
known as NAMI-NYS; this vital organization is the largest family-based
mental health organization in New York State; and

WHEREAS, For the next three years, Glenn Liebman was the First
Program Director at the New York State Office of Mental Health for
Kendra's Law; and

WHEREAS, Glenn Liebman then served as the First Program Director of
Adult Home Initiatives at the New York State Department of Health; in
this capacity, he was responsible for working with various state
agencies and stakeholder groups in helping to identify issues and
implement positive reforms for residents of adult homes; and

WHEREAS, Since 2004, Glenn Liebman has held the esteemed title of
CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS), which
is an organization dedicated to educating the public about both mental
illness and mental health and advocating for positive transformation of
the mental health system; and

WHEREAS, Currently, MHANYS consists of 26 chapters representing 52
counties through the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Under Glenn Liebman's luminous leadership, MHANYS has been
actively involved in several advocacy reforms including Timothy's Law

Coalition, Mental Health Public Awareness through an Income Tax Check
Off, and the Mental Health Education in Schools Bill; and

WHEREAS, Most recently, MHANYS has diligently worked to raise direct
care funding for behavioral health provider agencies; and

WHEREAS, Glenn Liebman has dedicated both his professional and
personal life to improving the lives of people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The initiatives that Glenn Liebman strives to implement as
a passionate advocate for persons with disabilities mirror the
priorities that this Legislative Body has before us today, the New York
State Assembly Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day 2017; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Glenn Liebman, a
leader and an advocate, recognizing his labors and the promise of his
future endeavors; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Glenn Liebman upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award by the New York State
Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Glenn Liebman.