Honor Joseph Slavik Award

Senate Resolution No. 448 BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO HONORING Joseph Slavik upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Mugavero Award by the New York State Council of Catholic Charities Directors WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor those esteemed individuals within our midst whose work and civic endeavors have enhanced the quality of life in their communities and the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, The character of life in the Central New York area has been ably served and uniquely enriched through the selfless dedication and benevolent concern of Joseph Slavik; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Joseph Slavik upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Mugavero Award by the New York State Council of Catholic Charities Directors to be celebrated at its annual reception on Monday, February

6, 2017, at the Renaissance Albany Hotel; and WHEREAS, The Mugavero Award is given to an individual for a lifetime of contributions to Catholic Charities, and is named after Reverend Francis J. Mugavero who was the Brooklyn Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities from 1960 to 1968; he served as the chairperson of the Committee of Catholic Charities Directors from its inception in 1966 until January of 1969; and WHEREAS, Joseph Slavik is receiving the Mugavero Award for his 42 years of dedicated service to the agency; and WHEREAS, Joseph Slavik, originally from the Binghamton area, grew up as the oldest in a family of nine children, and learned about charity from both his parents and Monsignor Ronald C. Bill of Binghamton, New York; at just 19-years old, Joseph began coaching CYO basketball; and WHEREAS, In January of 1975, Joseph Slavik started his career as Director of Youth Services for Catholic Charities of Broome County, where he was also the agency's first Lay Director; and WHEREAS, Five years later, Joseph Slavik was appointed as Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Broome County and served the organization in this position for three decades; and WHEREAS, In January of 2010, Joseph Slavik was named President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, a position in which he oversaw and managed the six-area county offices that make up the Diocese; and WHEREAS, Joseph Slavik has served on numerous boards throughout his career including Broome County Department of Social Services Advisory Board, Upstate Medical Physicians Free Clinic Board, Christopher Community Housing Corporation Board, New York State Catholic Conference Charities Directors Board, and the Fidelis Care of New York Board; and WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Joseph Slavik has received many awards and accolades for his notable work and community involvement such as the

2014; and WHEREAS, Throughout his entire career, Joseph Slavik has facilitated the growth of both agencies of the Catholic Diocese and those in his local area, especially ones serving individuals with special needs; and WHEREAS, More recently, Joseph Slavik has been instrumental in developing a strategic partnership with the Diocese of Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo in their development of The Children's Health Home, which serves special needs children in Upstate New York; and WHEREAS, At the end of December of 2016, Joseph Slavik officially retired as President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse after 42 years of dedicated service to Catholic Charities; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of compassion, and having contributed to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State, Joseph Slavik, in every capacity in which he served, has left a permanent mark on Catholic Charities and his community; he will be forever remembered as a determined, innovative, and genuinely concerned individual; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Joseph Slavik upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Mugavero Award by the New York State Council of Catholic Charities Directors, and to wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Joseph Slavik.