Honor Barbara Weiner's Service

Senate Resolution No. 137 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Barbara Weiner upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the Empire Justice Center on October 13, 2016 WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and WHEREAS, Barbara Weiner has given not only of her time and energies but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has been designated for special honor; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Barbara Weiner upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the Empire Justice Center to be recognized at its Celebration of Leadership Event on Thursday, October 13, 2016, at Cornerstone at the Plaza, Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, Barbara Weiner is being recognized for her instrumental role in advancing Empire Justice Center's mission, and for her unwavering commitment to justice in New York State; and WHEREAS, This esteemed woman has been called upon to contribute her time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given of herself unstintingly; and WHEREAS, Recently retiring from her position as a senior attorney with the Empire Justice Center's Albany office, Barbara Weiner spent much of her illustrious career working for legal services programs, both at the local level and, for the past 26 years, on a state-wide level with Empire Justice where her efforts focused on immigration and public benefits issues, and most particularly on the intersection between immigration status and public benefits eligibility; and WHEREAS, Barbara Weiner has provided training in this area to both public benefits advocates and to community groups working with immigrants around the state; in addition, she has acted as a mentor to numerous attorneys navigating immigration issues, helping to launch an Immigration practice at The Legal Project in Albany; and WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a period of constructive involvement, Barbara Weiner has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Barbara Weiner has displayed throughout her life; 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 Barbara Weiner upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the Empire Justice Center on October 13, 2016; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Barbara Weiner.