Honor Eleanor Parker Award

Senate Resolution No. 5271 BY: Senator O'MARA HONORING Eleanor Parker upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2018 Older New Yorker of the Year Award WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commend the senior citizens of the Empire State who, as they reach the fullness of years, continue to be active and vital participants in the life of their community; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Eleanor Parker upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the

May 22, 2018; and WHEREAS, A woman of singular distinction, she has continually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence and diligent leadership in her unwavering service to her community and, consequently, has been selected for this most prestigious honor; and WHEREAS, Eleanor Parker learned about hard work growing up on the farm of her adoptive family; she attributes her choice of a career in nursing and teaching, as well as her commitment to volunteerism, to the fact that as a child, when she needed help, people were there for her; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her community, Eleanor Parker has volunteered with countless local organizations, including Pro Action of Steuben and Yates, Inc., Yates Office for the Aging Advisory Council and Hope Center, as well as the Living Well, an organization dedicated to helping people in need with emergency assistance in Yates County, New York; and WHEREAS, Eleanor Parker is Past President and a current member of the Woman's Auxiliary of the Benton Volunteer Fire Department; she is also a Town of Benton Historian and Health Officer, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Seneca Lake Lodge 321; and WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Eleanor Parker gives of her time and energies to the Keuka Food Pantry, Yates County Election Board, and as Sunshine Chairman of the Yates County Fire Auxiliary; she also serves the Back Pack Program at the First Baptist Church of Penn Yan; and WHEREAS, In addition, this extraordinary woman is a Founding Fathers Member of the Windmill Farm and Craft Market, one of Yates County's most popular tourist destinations; and WHEREAS, Eleanor Parker embodies the principles and ideals that make us proud to be Americans and has been an active volunteer for more than five decades; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Eleanor Parker has displayed throughout her life; and WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her two children, who have both shown her love and support and rejoice in her 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 honor Eleanor Parker upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2018 Older New Yorker of the Year Award; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Eleanor Parker.