Assembly Resolution No. 452

BY: M. of A. Steck

HONORING Barbara Crosier upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Dr. Henry Viscardi,
Jr. Advocacy Award on May 29, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those individuals within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to the disability community; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Barbara
Crosier upon the occasion of her designation as the 15th recipient of
the Annual Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award presented at the 2019
Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day sponsored by the New York State
Assembly Task Force on People with Disabilities and the New York State
Assembly Committee on Mental Health on Wednesday, May 29, 2019; and

WHEREAS, The Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award was created in
2005 to honor the late Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. for his lifelong
commitment to advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The tremendous efforts that Barbara Crosier has made to
improve and enhance the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities are
worthy of this recognition; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Crosier is the Vice President for Government
Relations at Cerebral Palsy of New York State; she joined the
organization in December of 1994 after having worked for the Healthcare
Association of New York State and the New York State Senate Finance
Committee; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Crosier is responsible for advocacy on behalf of
and support to all of the Cerebral Palsy of New York State Affiliates,
staff, consumers and families regarding legislation and public policy,
and serves as liaison between the Cerebral Palsy of New York State
Affiliates and the New York State Legislature, Governor's Office, New
York State Agencies and Congress; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Crosier has almost 30 years of experience
monitoring, analyzing and interpreting state and federal budgets and
legislation; facilitating the development of legislative priorities and
agenda, lobbying for or against and negotiating relevant legislation,
organizing lobby days, rallies and other public education efforts,
preparing and presenting testimony, position papers and policy analysis;
and

WHEREAS, She responds to legislative staff and member requests on a
variety of issues including supports and services for people with
developmental disabilities, special education, Early Intervention,
Article 28, and various issues of interest and concern to individuals
with developmental disabilities and their families; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Crosier holds a bachelor's degree from Mount
Holyoke College and a Masters in Public Policy from Rockefeller College
at SUNY Albany; and


WHEREAS, Barbara Crosier has dedicated both her professional and
personal life to improving the lives of people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The initiatives that Barbara Crosier strives to implement
as a passionate advocate for persons with disabilities mirror the
priorities that this Legislative Body has before us today, the New York
State Assembly Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day 2019; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Barbara Crosier, a
leader and an advocate, recognizing her labors and the promise of her
future endeavors; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Barbara Crosier upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award by the New York State
Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Barbara Crosier.