Honor LGBT Advocacy Leader

Senate Resolution No. 3055 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Dena M. DeFazio, LMSW upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the LGBT Community Advocacy Award by In Our Own Voices, Inc. on July 16, 2017 WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons and organizations that provide exemplary service, whether through participation in voluntary programs, through unique personal achievement in their profession or other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of good citizenship; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dena M. DeFazio, LMSW upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the LGBT Community Advocacy Award by In Our Own Voices, Inc., to be celebrated at its Annual Jazz in July event on Sunday, July 16, 2017, at the Renaissance Hotel, in Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, Dena M. DeFazio received a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Brockport in 2011, a Master of Social Work degree from SUNY Buffalo in 2014, and is a current Class of 2018 J.D. Candidate at Albany Law School; and WHEREAS, While in law school, Dena M. DeFazio has clerked in the chambers of the Honorable Susan Kushner, Albany County Family Court Judge, and interned at Albany Law School's Government Law Center; and WHEREAS, Dena M. DeFazio is currently a Summer Law Clerk at Barclay Damon, LLP and will join Albany Law School's Health Law Clinic in the fall; and WHEREAS, A passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, Dena M. DeFazio is the current President of OUTLaw, Albany Law's LGBTQ and allied student organization, as well as Northern Regional Chair of the National LGBT Bar Association's Law Student Congress; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Dena M. DeFazio has displayed throughout her life; 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 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 Dena M. DeFazio, LMSW upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the LGBT Community Advocacy Award by In Our Own Voices, Inc. on July 16, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dena M. DeFazio, LMSW.