Senate Resolution No. 33

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Dr. Raymond H. Werking, Jr. upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Harvey Milk Award by the Pride Center of the Capital
Region

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the profound impact of
those exemplary individuals within the great State of New York who
proactively work for the enfranchisement of minority communities, and
the importance of such work for the benefit of all citizens of this
State, and indeed, all citizens of the Nation; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr. Raymond
H. Werking, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Harvey Milk Award by the Pride Center of the Capital Region to be
celebrated at its Annual Awards Gala on Friday, October 19, 2018, at the
Albany Capital Center, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious event benefits the Pride Center of the
Capital Region and celebrates the important contributions of individuals
who work hard to empower the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and
queer/questioning (LGBTQ) community; and

WHEREAS, This prestigious award is given to a person in the
community whose work emulates the ideals of Harvey Milk; Dr. Raymond H.
Werking, Jr. truly "talks the talk and walks the walk"; and

WHEREAS, A beloved English teacher and professor, Dr. Raymond H.
Werking, Jr.'s life parallels that of Harvey Milk in many ways; he was a
passionate advocate for education and won three spirited elections to
the East Greenbush Central School District Board of Education; in 2003,
his win is thought to be the largest proportionate win ever in a
contested school board election; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Dr. Raymond H. Werking, Jr.
accomplished numerous goals; he established the first intramural sports
league in the nation which included special needs students in 1975, and
diligently worked on behalf of blue collar workers, earning him two
major awards from the CSEA; and

WHEREAS, In 2007, Dr. Raymond H. Werking, Jr. used an obscure case
law to establish a "legitimate GSA with a paid advisor" in his alma
mater, Columbia High School; subsequently, the school's GSA was the
recipient of the Paul Postiglione Award in the first month of its
existence; and

WHEREAS, A lifelong educator, Dr. Raymond H. Werking, Jr.,
affectionately known as Dr. Ray, is well-known for his 13-year role as
the Host, Executive Producer, and a cleared engineer of WRPI's
"HomoRadio", the most listened to college radio program in the world; he
works an average of three days per week preparing the show and
interviewing both regional and international guests; during his tenure,
the show has increased from two hours to four hours, and the ratings
have skyrocketed; and


WHEREAS, For the last two decades, Dr. Raymond H. Werking, Jr. has
also worked tirelessly with LGBTQ+ youth at risk; he serves as co-host
on a weekly podcast for A Thousand Moms, an organization for LGBTQ+
youth in foster/adoptive care; and

WHEREAS, For his many and valuable contributions to society, Dr.
Raymond H. Werking, Jr. was the recipient of numerous awards and
accolades; as a retired member of the GLSEN Board of Directors, Dr. Ray
accepted the organization's Ally of the Year Award on behalf of
"HomoRadio" in 2016, and presented the Keynote Address at GLSEN'S
Breaking the Silence event the following year; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Raymond H. Werking, Jr. also received the 2009
Community Service Award by the Capital Pride Center and the 2018
Volunteer of the Year Award by A Thousand Moms; and

WHEREAS, In 1982, Dr. Raymond H. Werking, Jr. received commendations
of valor from the DEA, FBI, and the New York State Police for his
courage while participating in the largest undercover drug investigation
in New York State history at that time; and

WHEREAS, In everything that he thinks, says and does, Dr. Raymond H.
Werking, Jr. is guided by the same mantra as Harvey Milk: "You gotta
give 'em hope!"; and

WHEREAS, Our society is greatly benefited by the purposeful efforts
of individuals who unite for the cause of improving the quality of life
for others, and who proactively work toward the goal of dignity for all;
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 Dr. Raymond H. Werking, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation
as recipient of the Harvey Milk Award by the Pride Center of the Capital
Region; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Raymond H. Werking, Jr.