Senate Resolution No. 2505

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Nancy and Steven Lerner upon the occasion
of their designation as recipients of the Pillars of
the Community Award by the Sidney Albert Albany
Jewish Community Center

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors,
and community service are an example and inspiration to their
colleagues, friends, family, and community; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Nancy and Steven Lerner upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the Pillars of the Community Award by the Sidney Albert
Albany Jewish Community Center to be celebrated on Sunday, May 15, 2022;
and

WHEREAS, Each year, this prestigious awards ceremony recognizes
individuals for their contributions to the Center and the Jewish
community-at-large by acting as moral pillars and dispensers of wisdom
and advice, providing continued service and leadership, and acting
generously in the spirit of Tzedakah; and

WHEREAS, Widely known for their extraordinary dedication to Israel
and the local community, Nancy and Steven Lerner's philanthropic and
leadership endeavors continue to inspire all of those who are lucky
enough to know them; and

WHEREAS, Nancy and Steven Lerner met and started dating in high
school at the Milne School, and were both raised with strong family
values modelled by their parents, who instilled in them the importance
of family and giving back to their community; and

WHEREAS, Nancy and Steven Lerner have been active members of the
Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center (JCC) since they were
children, attending day camp and participating in the Sunday Funday
program for years; and

WHEREAS, As an older child, Steven Lerner was a member of the swim
team, and his band, The Regents, played at JCC dances, with him as the
lead singer; during high school, he was President of the ABG fraternity
and received the Herbert Applebaum Award; and

WHEREAS, Later, Steven Lerner ran the scoreboard when his son played
on the JCC basketball team, served on the Board of Directors and Golf
and Tennis Event committee, helped with the Dunkin Runs and health
fairs, and coached the Maccabi golf team; and

WHEREAS, Steven Lerner began working at a young age behind the
counter at his family's business, Lerner's Delicatessen, where he helped
expand the business to several locations; after 20 years in the
restaurant business, he moved on to real estate and has been a respected
member of the Vanguard-Fine commercial team for the past 15 years; and


WHEREAS, In 2012, Steven Lerner was appointed to the Albany
Convention Center Authority Board, elected Treasurer in 2014, and
currently, chairs the authority's Audit and Finance Committee; he is
also a member of the To Life! Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, Nancy Lerner volunteered with her children's school and
athletic activities at Mercy Cares for Kids, HACD, Loudonville
Elementary, and Shaker High School; for 12 years, she mentored a teenage
mother and her family; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable woman has served on the Board of Directors
of JCC and To Life!'s Gala Committee, and has co-chaired the JCC's
Pillars Committee for eight years; recently, she became involved with
and went to Israel (virtually) with the JNF's Women's Leadership
Committee; and

WHEREAS, For more than four decades, Nancy Lerner has worked at
Cornell Cooperative Extension in Albany County, starting as Director of
the organization's day camp initiative and then was hired fulltime to
deliver informal educational programs in the South End of Albany; today,
she is responsible for identifying and securing grant funds and
overseeing health and environmental programs and is part of the
management team; and

WHEREAS, With them throughout have been their two children, Jennifer
(Jason) and Matthew, and their three grandchildren, Kelsey, Cammie, and
Jax, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of their life and rejoice
in their achievements; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by
individuals for the benefit of others which Nancy and Steven Lerner have
displayed throughout their lives; 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 Nancy and Steven Lerner upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the Pillars of the Community Award by the Sidney Albert
Albany Jewish Community Center; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Nancy and Steven Lerner.