Honor Ilene Sacco for Service

Senate Resolution No. 2253 BY: Senator GOLDEN HONORING Ilene Sacco, Esq. upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2017 Civic Award by the Bay Ridge Community Council WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the great State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good works of those civic-minded community members who dedicate their lives and careers to the service of others; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ilene Sacco, Esq. upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2017 Civic Award by the Bay Ridge Community Council to be celebrated at its 66th Annual Dinner Dance on Thursday, June 1, 2017, at Rex Manor in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, Born and raised in Queens, New York, Ilene Sacco fell in love with Brooklyn, especially the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights, in the early 1990s, when she started working for the Kings County District Attorney's Office; and WHEREAS, Ilene Sacco earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Criminal Justice from John Jay College; she then furthered her education by obtaining her law degree from New York Law School in 1994; and WHEREAS, Ilene Sacco began her distinguished law career as Deputy of Community Relations, in the New York City Comptroller's Office; she also served as both Counsel and Director of the Brooklyn Office of City Councilman James S. Oddo, and Counsel to Primary Land Title Company; and WHEREAS, Currently, Ilene Sacco holds the position of Director of the New York City Waiver Unit with the New York State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities; in this capacity, she manages almost a billion dollars' worth of services which help people with developmental disabilities; and WHEREAS, Ilene Sacco has always been extremely involved in her hometown community of Queens, and her Brooklyn community; for many years, she has served as the President of the 68th Precinct Community Council; and WHEREAS, Under her luminous leadership, this vital organization was named in a Unit Citation which was given to the precinct from the NYPD; this feat is very rare as Unit Citations almost always list accomplishments done by local precincts, by giving this citation, the NYPD recognized the importance of the Council and the fact that this particular Council truly works hand in hand with the precinct; and WHEREAS, Moreover, the Council was honored for its work by NIA, one of the neighborhood's larger community groups; and WHEREAS, Through her able direction, the 68th Precinct Community Council proudly hosted one of the largest National Night Out Against Crime in the city, with this year's attendance reaching over 5,000 people; most recently, the Council established Summer of Support, a three month project created to collect pictures, cards, letters and posters showing support for police; the project was an overwhelming success and the Council proudly displayed the entire precinct with the materials they received; and WHEREAS, In addition to her invaluable work with the 68th Precinct Community Council, Ilene Sacco served as President of the Bay Ridge Community Council, Vice President of the Bay Ridge Lions Club, and was a vital member of Reaching Out Community Services Board of Directors; and WHEREAS, Today, Ilene Sacco holds the title of First Vice President of the Bay Ridge Community Council, and Treasurer of the Ragamuffin Parade Committee; she is also a participant of the Boards of Directors for both the Dyker Heights Civic Association and the Resource Training Center, and a trustee of the Kassenbrock Brothers Memorial Scholarship Fund, as well as an Advisor to the Board for the 68th Precinct Community Council; and WHEREAS, This remarkable public servant works closely with the Merchants of Third Avenue, where she is coordinating its Summer Stroll event; and WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her community, Ilene Sacco was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the Ronald Reagan Americanism Award, the Top Brooklyn Women in Business Award by the Home Reporter/Brooklyn Spectator newspapers, and the Community Leadership Award by the Guild for Exceptional Children; and WHEREAS, Ilene Sacco was also named the Woman of the Year by the Advocates for Services for the Blind and Multi-handicapped and by the Dyker Heights Civic Association, Lion of the Year by the Bay Ridge Lions, Brooklyn Woman of Distinction by the Kings County District Attorney's Office, and Civic Leader of the Year by Brooklyn Democrats for Change and by Reaching Out Community Services; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, Ilene Sacco received awards of merit from many organizations including Community School District 20, the Fifth Avenue Board of Trade, the Merchants of Third Avenue, Fort Hamilton Army Garrison, and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation; she was also given commendations and citations from numerous elected officials; and WHEREAS, With her throughout has been her husband, John Walsh, who has shown her love and supports and rejoices in her many achievements; 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 Ilene Sacco, Esq. upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2017 Civic Award by the Bay Ridge Community Council; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Ilene Sacco, Esq.