Honor Steve Guttenberg's Advocacy

Senate Resolution No. 694 BY: Senator GOLDEN HONORING Steve Guttenberg for his outstanding advocacy, support, and fundraising efforts for lymphedema awareness WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organizations and individuals committed to helping to improve the lives of others; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing tradition, this Legislative Body is justly proud, on the occasion of the observance of World Lymphedema Day on March 6, 2017, to honor and pay tribute to Steve Guttenberg, a resident of the Upper West Side of Manhattan, a celebrated actor whose mother has lymphedema and who has used his celebrity to promote lymphedema awareness; and WHERAS, Steve Guttenberg now serves as Honorary Board Member of the Lymphatic Education & Research Network, also known as LE&RN and in this capacity, devotes himself to fundraising, supporting patients, outreaching to corporate supporters, and making himself available for media opportunities that further awareness on lymphedema and the need for research; and WHEREAS, Steve Guttenberg kicked off the 2016 New York Walk to Fight Lymphedema & Lymphatic Diseases to the mass of supporters attending the event that crosses the Brooklyn Bridge, and thereby empowered others with this disease to follow his example and publicly come forward to support lymphedema and lymphatic diseases; and WHEREAS, World Lymphedema Day brings awareness to this often debilitating disease and helps find strength through collective celebration and is also set aside to honor inspirational lymphedema patients and advocates; and WHEREAS, Steve Guttenberg has brought this disease to a statewide and national audience by becoming a lymphedema spokesperson without regard for professional career concerns; and WHEREAS, Steve Guttenberg has made New York-based Lymphatic Education & Research Network his charity of choice; and WHEREAS, Steve Guttenberg continues to seek ways to champion the needs of the lymphedema community, which suffers a dearth of certified therapists and lacks sufficient insurance coverage for even basic lymphedema treatment options; 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 Steve Guttenberg for his outstanding advocacy and promotion of lymphedema awareness; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Steve Guttenberg, and the Lymphatic Education & Research Network.