Senate Resolution No. 49

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Yachiyo Fleishman upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the Senior Lifetime
Achievement Award by the Capital District Senior
Issues Forum on October 10, 2018

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
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
Yachiyo Fleishman upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Senior Lifetime Achievement Award by the Capital District Senior
Issues Forum to be celebrated at its 19th Annual Senior Lifetime
Achievement Award Ceremony on Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at
Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Capital District Senior Issues Forum is a voluntary
initiative among faith communities, organizations and individuals which
provides support for seniors in the capital district through education
and dialogue; and

WHEREAS, Since 1998, this vital organization has focused on senior
housing issues by bringing together caregivers, faith organizations,
government officials, housing facilities, administrators and seniors
themselves; and

WHEREAS, For the past 19 years, the Capital District Senior Issues
Forum has honored hundreds of senior citizens over the age of 85 for
their lifetime achievements; and

WHEREAS, Yachiyo Fleishman is being recognized as an extraordinary
senior for her tireless efforts in making a difference in the lives of
others and for giving selflessly in community service; and

WHEREAS, Yachiyo "Mickey" Fleishman was born on July 1, 1932, in
Japan; after a difficult childhood, she decided to strike out on her own
and applied for a student visa; upon her acceptance, she came to the
United States to study food service management at SUNY Cobleskill; and

WHEREAS, After graduating, Yachiyo Fleishman accepted a position in
the food service industry at a hospital in Washington, D.C.; always
ambitious and seeking greater opportunities, she returned to New York
and enrolled in Empire State University to earn her bachelor's degree;
and

WHEREAS, During this time, Yachiyo Fleishman married Paul Fleishman
and together, the couple settled down in Cobleskill, where she began her
career as a dietician at the Community Hospital of Schoharie County; and

WHEREAS, Yachiyo Fleishman and her husband enjoyed exploring and
learning and shared a love for the arts, making annual trips to
Glimmerglass, Tanglewood, SPAC and the Clark Art Museum; they liked to
cross country ski and participated in summer study programs at Bowdoin
College; Yachiyo spent a great deal of time volunteering and helping
those less fortunate; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, Yachiyo Fleishman and her husband moved to the
Avila Retirement Community and quickly became active, participating in
numerous activities with their new friends; she joined the staff at St.
John's/St. Anne Food Pantry and visits the residents of Teresian House
paying special attention to those who seldom had company; she is
especially attentive to former residents of Avila and has organized wine
and cheese celebrations and other outings for them; and

WHEREAS, Yachiyo Fleishman has truly become a one women welcoming
committee; she reaches out to new residents at Avila in order to make
them feel at home, and loves to entertain and feed her neighbors,
particularly around the holidays; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Yachiyo Fleishman has
displayed throughout her life; she is an involved, caring person, who is
always willing and able to lend a helping hand, a listening ear and a
kind word; 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 this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Yachiyo Fleishman upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Senior Lifetime Achievement Award by the Capital
District Senior Issues Forum on October 10, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Yachiyo Fleishman.