Senate Resolution No. 1993

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Denise Figueroa upon the occasion of
being inducted into the 2019 New York State
Disability Rights Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, Individuals 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 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 honor Denise
Figueroa upon the occasion of being inducted into the 2019 New York
State Disability Rights Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at the
River's Casino in Schenectady, New York; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Disability Hall of Fame recognizes
individuals who have made life-long achievements which positively impact
people with disabilities in society; Denise Figueroa is one such
individual; and

WHEREAS, Denise Figueroa's personal experiences with disability
influenced her decision to pursue a life helping others, a decision
which was sealed during her years at Brooklyn College, when she met
other students with disabilities involved in the burgeoning disability
rights movement; during this time, she was the recipient of the Dr. Vera
B. Dowd Award for College and Community Service, City of New York, for
her volunteer efforts supporting disability rights in educational
settings; and

WHEREAS, After graduating, Denise Figueroa began her career as
Section 504 Coordinator for the New York City Mayor's Office for the
Handicapped; in this capacity, she provided training and technical
assistance to city agencies to ensure compliance with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act; she also served as a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit
against the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which
led to court-ordered accessible mass transit throughout the city,
benefitting millions of travelers; and

WHEREAS, Denise Figueroa worked with the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans
Association (now United Spinal) and the Capital District Center for
Independence before establishing the Independent Living Center of the
Hudson Valley (ILCHV) in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Denise Figueroa, ILCHV is
committed to hiring individuals with disabilities, has added a second
location in Hudson, New York, and expanded its services to include
artistic and health and wellness programs for individuals with
disabilities; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her work with ILCHV, Denise Figueroa has
served her community at the local, state and federal levels in various
capacities; since 2002, she has served on the Board of Directors of the
Capital District Transportation Authority, and held the position of
Chairperson from 2010-2013; and

WHEREAS, From 2002-2008, Denise Figueroa chaired the New York State
Association on Independent Living's Board of Directors, and chaired the
New York State Independent Living Council Board of Directors from 2009
to 2014; this remarkable woman was a member of the Board of Directors of
the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association; and

WHEREAS, Denise Figueroa was appointed by the Governor to the
Advisory Council to the New York State Commission on Quality of Care and
Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, and currently, serves on the
Advisory Board of the Justice Center; and

WHEREAS, Moreover, Denise Figueroa was a member of the Board of
Directors of the United States International Council on Disability, and
held the title of President of the National Council on Independent
Living when the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law; and

WHEREAS, Denise Figueroa has truly played a leading role in removing
barriers to independent living at a national level, however, her
greatest accomplishments may be found in the hundreds of lives she has
impacted, one day and one life at a time, as Director at ILCHV; 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 Denise Figueroa upon the occasion of being inducted into the 2019
New York State Disability Rights Hall of Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Denise Figueroa.