Senate Resolution No. 3331

BY: Senator STAVISKY

CONGRATULATING Gene Russianoff upon the occasion
of his retirement after more than four decades of
dedicated service to the New York Public Interest
Group

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those
individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to
enhance the stature of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, In the course of the evolving development of this Empire
State, when the ingredients of shared concern and responsive endeavor
combine in commitment to community, there emerge among the distinguished
citizenry of the State of New York, certain individuals who warrant
special recognition; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Gene
Russianoff upon the occasion of his retirement after more than four
decades of dedicated service to the New York Public Interest Group
(NYPIRG); and

WHEREAS, For the past 40 years, Gene Russianoff rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to NYPIRG; and

WHEREAS, After growing up in the areas of Brighton Beach and
Sheepshead Bay, Gene Russianoff graduated from Brooklyn College before
obtaining his degree at Harvard Law School in 1978; and

WHEREAS, Despite the lucrative career he could have enjoyed as a
graduate of Harvard Law School, Gene Russianoff has devoted more than
four decades to NYPIRG, the Straphangers Campaign, and protecting the
public's interest; and

WHEREAS, As NYPIRG Senior Attorney and head of the Straphangers
Campaign, Gene Russianoff was a respected leader and advocate who
inspired and mentored hundreds of college students and NYPIRG staff; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, Gene Russianoff achieved
many things, including helping to reform the structure of the government
of the City of New York through the creation of a voluntary system of
public financing which is now considered a model of reform across the
nation; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, he was instrumental in the establishment of an
Independent Budget Office, a non-partisan, independent watchdog of the
City's finances, and a voter's guide to elections; and

WHEREAS, Gene Russianoff has been the proud recipient of numerous
awards and accolades, including the 1994 Public Service Achievement
Award from the National Board of Common Cause and the 2010 Distinguished
Achievement Award from the Brooklyn College Alumni Association; he was
also designated a Charles H. Revson Fellow at Columbia University in
1983; and

WHEREAS, During his renowned tenure with the New York Public
Interest Group (NYPIRG), Gene Russianoff truly earned the admiration,
esteem and affection of his colleagues; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Gene Russianoff upon the occasion of his retirement after
more than four decades of dedicated service to the New York Public
Interest Group, and to wish him continued success in all his future
endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Gene Russianoff and the New York Public Interest Group.