Senate Resolution No. 1059

BY: Senator KAPLAN

HONORING Christopher B. Smithers posthumously the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Lifetime Achievement Award by the Long Island
Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. on
April 29, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
organizations and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare
of the community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Christopher B. Smithers posthumously upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Long
Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. to be celebrated
at its 32nd Annual Adele C. Smithers Angel Ball at the Garden City Hotel
in Garden City, New York, on Monday, April 29, 2019; and

WHEREAS, The Christopher D. Smithers Foundation, Inc. was founded in
1952, by R. Brinkley Smithers in memory of his late father, Christopher
D. Smithers; and

WHEREAS, After attending the Yale School of Alcohol Studies in 1956,
R. Brinkley Smithers decided the family charitable foundation should
concentrate on alcohol use disorder and addiction, and on educating the
public that addiction is a medical illness; and

WHEREAS, R. Brinkley Smithers' son, Christopher B. Smithers took
over the helm as President of the Foundation; throughout his tenure, he
dedicated his life to helping people battling addiction and to further
our understanding of the science behind addiction and to identify more
effective treatments; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Christopher D. Smithers Foundation
has worked tirelessly to remove the stigma attached to alcohol use
disorder; it was instrumental in influencing a change in attitudes,
programs and policies in the areas of research, prevention, treatment
and community development about this disease; and

WHEREAS, While considerable progress has been made, the Foundation's
pioneering work continues with a focus on funding and creating
innovative projects to educate and inform the public about the best ways
to manage alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder; and

WHEREAS, Unfortunately, Christopher B. Smithers died on December 30,
2018, at the age of 50; today, his wife, Nikki, and their four children,
Brinkley, Christopher, Adelina and Nicholas continue the Foundation's
work to treat addiction; 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 Christopher B. Smithers posthumously upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Long
Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Christopher B. Smithers.