Honor Sonji Henton Award

Senate Resolution No. 2056 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Sonji Henton upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Mother of Pearl Award by the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute, Inc. on May 13, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those nurses from this great Empire State who have distinguished themselves through professional excellence and have made significant contributions to the quality of life of 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 Sonji Henton upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Mother of Pearl Award by the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute, Inc. to be celebrated at its 9th Annual Extravaganza on Saturday, May 13, 2017, at the Albany Ramada Plaza Hotel in Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, Sonji Henton was born in a small town in Mississippi where she and her sister were raised by their mother Rosie Henton; in 1988, the small family relocated to Albany; and WHEREAS, After graduating from Albany High School, Sonji Henton earned her associate degree in accounting, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing; she furthered her education by obtaining her master's degree in Nursing Education; and WHEREAS, For the last seven years, Sonji Henton has served as a nurse in several capacities; she was a medical/surgical nurse at Albany Medical Center, providing care to individuals from the community, and is a school nurse at Albany High/Abrookin Vocational Center where she provides care to both students and staff; and WHEREAS, In addition, Sonji Henton was a corrections nurse, providing care to inmates and officers, and case management/utilization review for New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision; she also holds the position of Medical Parole Coordinator for the New York State Department of Corrections; and WHEREAS, Sonji Henton enjoys teaching and sharing her skills with future nurses as a member of the adjunct faculty at Mildred Elley; in this capacity, she teaches students didactic and clinical skills, and participates in curriculum development for the practical nursing program; and WHEREAS, This dynamic woman is a vital part of the Advisory Board for Albany High/Abrookin Vocation Center, serving as a link between the school and the community; she also travels to various schools where she speaks to students in the healthcare field about her career in medicine, and encourages them to continue their education and become nurses; and WHEREAS, In addition to all of these noble roles, Sonji Henton helps take care of her developmentally disabled sister, and serves on the Usher and Nurses Ministry at Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church; and WHEREAS, Built upon the proud tradition of caring, the profession of nursing is dedicated to implementing the best practices to deliver the highest quality of care to those whom they serve; and WHEREAS, These exceptional individuals, leaders in their profession, make a difference in the lives of every one of their patients, as well as the patients' family members they serve each and every day; they have truly proven themselves to be great assets to the health and welfare of the citizens of the State of New York; and WHEREAS, A woman of true integrity, Sonji Henton has served as a Registered Nurse with distinction, enthusiasm, dedication and honor; for almost four decades, she has rendered faithful, conscientious and valuable service to the Capital Region, earning the admiration, esteem and affection of her colleagues; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their profession, 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 Sonji Henton upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Mother of Pearl Award by the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute, Inc. on May 13, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Sonji Henton.