Honor Seymour Fox Foundation

Senate Resolution No. 2048 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING the Seymour Fox Memorial Foundation upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the Beacon Leadership Award by the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Inc. on May 9, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organizations and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the Seymour Fox Memorial Foundation upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the Beacon Leadership Award by the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Inc. to be celebrated at its 23rd Annual Dessert Spectacular on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at the Franklin Plaza Ballroom in Troy, New York; and WHEREAS, The Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley (ILCHV) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities lead happy and fulfilling lives; rooted in a philosophy of self-determination, the Center offers many services including advocacy, peer counseling, and facilitates access to housing and employment opportunities; and WHEREAS, The Beacon Leadership Award is granted annually to those individuals and businesses which have demonstrated their commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities; Denise DiNoto has truly helped make her community a more welcoming place for people with disabilities; and WHEREAS, Born on May 12, 1925, Seymour Fox died on January 13, 2010, at the age of 84; for over 50 years, he was an attorney dedicated to serving generations of families in and around the City of Troy, New York; and WHEREAS, Well-known in his professional role as a trial lawyer, Seymour Fox's private passion was to make the world a better place for those who needed help; in his last will and testament, he made a charitable bequest with the direction that the money be used to support institutions and organizations engaged in charitable acts, scientific work and educational activities which exemplify the life, work, and spirit of justice for which he strove during his lifetime; and WHEREAS, The Seymour Fox Foundation has been a staunch supporter of the ILCHV for several years; the Foundation was the first to fund the Youth in Transition program, which provides skills training, support, and advocacy to young people with disabilities ages 14 to 29; and WHEREAS, In addition to its generous financial support, the Seymour Fox Foundation has helped ILCHV create partnerships which are fostering additional opportunities for people with disabilities to access all our communities have to offer; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor the Seymour Fox Memorial Foundation upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Beacon Leadership Award by the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Inc.; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Seymour Fox Memorial Foundation.