Celebrate Jewish Disabilities Action Month

Senate Resolution No. 819 BY: Senator PERSAUD COMMENDING Jewish National Fund upon the occasion of launching Jewish Disabilities Action Month WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations devoted to improving the quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and WHEREAS, From time to time, society calls upon these individuals and organizations to be recognized for the significance of their contributions and efforts to assist others in developing the skills necessary to be successful, productive citizens; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Jewish National Fund upon the occasion of launching Jewish Disabilities Action Month, "More than a Campaign of Awareness, Because Awareness Isn't Enough"; and WHEREAS, Established in 1901, Jewish National Fund (JNF) is a registered organization and United Nations NGO which continuously strives to bring an enhanced quality of life to all of Israel's residents, and translate these advancements to the world beyond; and WHEREAS, JNF is greening the desert with millions of trees, building thousands of parks, creating new communities and cities for generations of Israelis to call home, helping develop innovative arid-agriculture techniques, and educating both young and old about the founding and importance of Israel and Zionism; and WHEREAS, While February is known as Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month, Jewish National Fund is rebranding it as an "Action Month" to ensure that everyone, regardless of individual challenges, is able to feel that they are supported and belong; and WHEREAS, Nearly one in five people in the United States, and one in eight people in Israel, live with a disability; JNF and its partners work daily to help children and adults in Israel who have physical, sensory, mental health, and intellectual disabilities to enjoy a better quality of life; and WHEREAS, JNF partners include Aleh Negev-Nahalat Eran, LOTEM-Making Nature Accessible, Red Mountain Therapeutic Riding Center at Kibbutz Grofit, and Special in Uniform; and WHEREAS, In addition, the new JNF Task Force on Disabilities has been created to bring partner organizations together to share resources and meet the needs of those with disabilities in Israel's North and South where there are typically fewer services available; and WHEREAS, JNF truly gives all generations of the Jewish community a unique voice in building a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people; and WHEREAS, The success of Jewish National Fund is in direct correlation to the efforts of its staff and volunteers, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Jewish National Fund upon the occasion of launching Jewish Disabilities Action Month; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Jewish National Fund.