Honor Denise DiNoto Award

Senate Resolution No. 2050 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Denise DiNoto upon the occasion of her 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 that individuals with disabilities merit our recognition as they realize goals that serve to lift barriers and expand choices for all persons with disabilities; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Denise DiNoto upon the occasion of her 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 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, For most of her life, Denise DiNoto has been a steadfast and committed advocate for the disabled community; a speech pathologist, she has worked with consumers in health care settings, and mentored college students who were pursuing degrees in articulation disorders; and WHEREAS, As an employee of the New York State Department of Health, Denise DiNoto had the opportunity to focus on both disability and health services; and WHEREAS, Currently, Denise DiNoto serves as the Communications and Outreach Specialist at Consumer Directed Choices, a private, nonprofit corporation located in Albany, New York; this vital organization was founded to empower people to choose their own home care; and WHEREAS, Denise DiNoto is committed to helping other people by writing about her numerous experiences as a woman with a disability; through her written poetry and prose, and blog, she tells of the injustices experienced by people with disabilities, and encourages people to be their own advocates; and WHEREAS, Although many of her stories are sad, Denise DiNoto is a happy and positive person and truly strives to make the world a better place for people with disabilities; and WHEREAS, A role model for all, Denise DiNoto won the Ms. Wheelchair NY contest, and was the First Runner up in the Ms. Wheelchair America contest; she is also dedicated to her community, holding the title of President of the Colonie-Guilderland Rotary Club; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such enduring courage and accomplishment are brought to our attention, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend those individuals for the edification and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Denise DiNoto 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 Denise DiNoto.