Assembly Resolution No. 877

BY: M. of A. Sillitti

CELEBRATING the life and accomplishments of Dr.
Henry Viscardi Jr., and commending him posthumously
for his outstanding advocacy on behalf of
individuals with disabilities

WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations devoted to improving the
quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and
self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and

WHEREAS, From time to time, society calls upon these individuals and
organizations to be recognized for the significance of their
contributions and efforts to assist others in developing the skills
necessary to be successful, productive citizens; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate the life
and accomplishments of Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr., and to commend him
posthumously for his outstanding advocacy on behalf of individuals with
disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The unity of our State and Nation is built upon the
compassion of individuals such as Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr. who uphold the
values of community life and who, through their great actions, epitomize
the best of humanity; and

WHEREAS, Born on May 10, 1912, Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., who himself
wore prosthetic legs, served as disability advisor to eight United
States Presidents, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Jimmy Carter, and
became one of the world's leading advocates for people with
disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The original incarnation of The Viscardi Center,
established in 1952 by Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr. and operated out of a
garage in West Hempstead, New York, demonstrated that disabled veterans
from World War II and the Korean War had the skills and abilities to be
successful, productive employees; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Center provided assembly and factory work
for several industry giants such as Grumman, General Electric, IBM and
the Department of Defense, and was the first U.S. business to be staffed
primarily by people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1960s, services were expanded to include
vocational training and job placement for all people with disabilities
when the workshop was moved to a larger facility in Albertson, where The
Viscardi Center continues to operate today; and

WHEREAS, The extra space also allowed Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr. to
pursue another dream, and in 1962, he opened a school, now named in his
honor, which remains a world-renowned model for delivering a high
quality, traditional education to students with severe physical
disabilities; and

WHEREAS, His tireless efforts went on to inspire legislation such as
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1975 and the
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, which protects the rights
of children and adults with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr., the
Center continued to expand and grow; in 1996, the Nathaniel H. Kornreich
Technology Center, which showcases state-of-the-art assistive technology
while providing information demonstrations, technology evaluations, and
training on assistive technology and its impact on people with
disabilities, was founded; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, one year later, the Center's National
Business and Disability Council took a leading role nationally as a
resource for the successful integration of persons with disabilities
into the workforce and consumer marketplace; and

WHEREAS, To this day, The Henry Viscardi School and The Viscardi
Center continue Dr. Viscardi's mission to educate, employ and empower
people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, This year marks the 110th birthday of Henry Viscardi, the
70th Anniversary of The Viscardi Center, and the 60th Anniversary of the
Henry Viscardi School; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr. lived an immensely beautiful life
built on compassion, kindness, and respect for others; he will be
remembered as one of the most significant and enduring leaders in
integrating disabled people into America's workforce, and his insight
and strength will forever serve as a beacon of love and hope to the
countless lives he touched; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations 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
celebrate the life and accomplishments of Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr., and to
commend him posthumously for his outstanding advocacy on behalf of
individuals with disabilities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr.