Senate Resolution No. 2203

BY: Senator BRESLIN

COMMENDING Charles Touhey upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the African
American Cultural Center of the Capital Region, Inc.
on September 27, 2019

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their
valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Charles
Touhey upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by
the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region, Inc. to be
celebrated at its 1st Annual Gala on Friday, September 27, 2019, at
Treviso by Mallozzi's in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Charles Touhey is being honored for his tireless efforts to
further the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region's
mission of strengthening communities by fostering unity,
self-determination, cooperative economics, collective work, and
creativity; and

WHEREAS, A native of Albany, Charles Touhey attended Princeton
University and served in the United States Peace Corps in Micronesia;
for 10 years, he was the Director of Capital Housing of Albany, a
nationally recognized housing rehabilitation and home ownership program,
which has provided homes for over 200 families; in recognition of his
achievements rehabilitating and restoring neighborhoods, he was the
recipient of the Distinguished Service Award by the Albany Junior
Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Always eager to make a difference, Charles Touhey ran for
the office of Mayor of Albany in 1981; during his campaign, he designed
and constructed a new "In-Fill" prototype, which is intended to attract
middle income homeowners back to central cities; he has constructed and
marketed them in five cities and two states in the Northeast; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, in recognition of Charles Touhey's innovative
ideas on "In-Fill" housing, one of his projects was selected as the
first Affordable Housing demonstration site in New York State by the
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); to date, he has
developed over 800 units of housing totaling in excess of $30,000,000;
and

WHEREAS, From 1989-1993, Charles Touhey served on the Mayor's
Housing Advisory Council, and was instrumental in Albany's designation
in 1991 as an "All-America City" by the National League of Cities; and

WHEREAS, in 2002, Charles Touhey was selected by Mayor Jennings to
serve on the Arbor Hill Revitalization Task Force which included the
development of new two family homes for first time home buyers; and


WHEREAS, Today, this hardworking and dynamic man continues to serve
as a role model for all; he is a vital member of the boards of the
College of Saint Rose Board of Trustees and the Albany Center for
Economic Success (ACES), and serves as the Chair of the Board of The
Albany County Land Bank Corporation; and

WHEREAS, Charles Touhey is also the author of The Capital Answer, a
publication on housing rehabilitation for low and moderate income
homeowners, and Managing Partner of The Latham Four Partnership; in this
capacity, he oversees over one million square feet of offices and
distribution facilities in New York and Florida, and has developed
several residential subdivisions using such innovations as modular
housing; and

WHEREAS, Under his luminous leadership, the Touhey Homeownership
Foundation is currently partnering with Capital District Habitat for
Humanity in the construction of 60 new owner occupied homes in the
historic Sheridan Hollow Neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Charles Touhey holds the title of President
for both Orange Motor Company, Albany's oldest and largest Ford dealer,
and The Spare Room, Inc., self-storage facilities with over 3,000 units;
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
commend Charles Touhey upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the African American Cultural Center of the Capital
Region, Inc. on September 27, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Charles Touhey.