Honor Jack McEneny Award

June 16, 2017 WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The Honorable Jack McEneny upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Norman S. Rice Arts, Culture and Education Award by the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, to be celebrated at a Garden Party on Friday, June 16, 2017, at Tricentennial Park, in Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, Since 1996, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) has diligently worked to restore, promote and maintain the character and vitality of downtown Albany; this vital organization is proud to present its 2017 free outdoor Placemaking exhibit: "Downtown is Pawsome," celebrating Albany's famous canine resident Nipper; and WHEREAS, This auspicious award is named in recognition of the legacy of Norman S. Rice to the cultural and educational landscape of the Capital Region Arts, and honors an individual for their own lasting contributions to arts, culture and education for the local community; and WHEREAS, Honorees such as Jack McEneny demonstrate significant accomplishment in exposing the arts to a public audience in their role either as arts advocate, as an artist themselves, or as an art educator; and WHEREAS, A native of Albany, Jack McEneny grew up in the Pine Hills neighborhood; after graduating from Christian Brothers Academy, he earned his bachelor's degree in history from Siena College; he furthered his education by attending New Mexico State University, and Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government; and WHEREAS, After serving in the Peace Corps in Columbia, South America, Jack McEneny worked as a welfare case worker in Cohoes, New York, and was a teacher at the Hackett Middle School; at the young age of 26, he was appointed to lead the Albany County Office of CETA Job Corps, a position he held from 1971-1984; and WHEREAS, Jack McEneny also worked with the Albany Youth Bureau; throughout his tenure, 3,300 people were employed in 200 agencies throughout the city; and WHEREAS, From 1985-1989, Jack McEneny held the title of the first Director of the New York State Urban Cultural Parks Program, and served as the Deputy County Executive from 1989 to 1991; and WHEREAS, Jack McEneny began his long and distinguished political career in 1991, when he won a write-in campaign for the Albany County Legislature; he was easily reelected to several terms ending in 2006; and WHEREAS, For two years, Jack McEneny served as the Chief of Staff for New York State Assemblyman Richard Conners; after Richard's retirement, Jack ran for the position in 1992, and subsequently, won a four-way primary for the seat in September of 1992, and the general election that November; after two decades of esteemed public service, he declined to run for an 11th term, and retired at the end of 2012; and WHEREAS, In addition to his political career, Jack McEneny served for over 10 years as the Albany County Historian; today, he continues to archive historical documents; and WHEREAS, An accomplished author, Jack McEneny wrote or co-wrote several non-fiction books, including Albany: Capital City on the Hudson; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his four children, John, Rachel, Daniel and Maeve; his granddaughter, Madeline Maeve; and his late wife, Barbara Leonard, all of whom have shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; 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 commend The Honorable Jack McEneny upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Norman S. Rice Arts, Culture and Education Award by the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Jack McEneny.