Honor Tracie Killar's Community Service

Senate Resolution No. 1703 BY: Senator BRESLIN COMMENDING Tracie Killar upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the best interest of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and WHEREAS, Tracie Killar 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 commend Tracie Killar upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce to be celebrated at its Annual Dinner on Friday, April 28, 2017, at the Colonie Golf and Country Club in Colonie, New York; and WHEREAS, Established in 1957, the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce works on a local and regional level to advance economic development and foster a positive business environment; it offers resources for residents, businesses, recreation and relocation in Bethlehem and the surrounding region; and WHEREAS, A long-time resident of Slingerlands, New York, Tracie Killar has spent much of her professional career dedicated to area non-profit organizations; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to the youth, Tracie Killar established an art program, New Day Art, in the South End of Albany, which she ran for 10 years; and WHEREAS, Several years ago, Tracie Killar devised a concept of a Children's Cafe to assist in bringing nutritious meals to serve the community's children and families in need called South End Children's Cafe; and WHEREAS, The Cafe was created to impact food insecurity and hunger among families, while also impacting academic achievement and overall physical and mental health by offering children and their families a community space in which to enrich their mind and body; and WHEREAS, In addition, the Cafe provides homework assistance, mentoring, job skills and training, health and wellness workshops, college and job fairs and creative expression programs; and WHEREAS, The Cafe is supported by numerous donations and through the dedicated commitment of a corps of 200 volunteers, many of whom are students and residents of Bethlehem, who gather each weeknight to assist with the Cafe's activities; and WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a period of constructive involvement, Tracie Killar 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 Tracie Killar has displayed throughout her life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Tracie Killar upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Tracie Killar.