Honor Interfaith Youth Leader

Senate Resolution No. 98 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Derek James Healey upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Ed Bloch Interfaith Youth Award by the Capital Area Council of Churches on September 15, 2016 WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and WHEREAS, Derek James Healey has given not only of his time and energies but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has been designated for special honor; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Derek James Healey upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Ed Bloch Interfaith Youth Award by the Capital Area Council of Churches on Thursday, September 15, 2016, at the Albany Country Club; and WHEREAS, This auspicious award honors a student who is committed to interreligious dialogue; Derek James Healey is one such individual, working tirelessly to bring together students of various faith traditions to build religious pluralism; and WHEREAS, A current student of Anthropology and Religious Studies concentrating on Critical Issues in Religion, Derek James Healey is minoring in Medical Anthropology and Public Health at the University at Albany; he is also a graduate of the Holistic Arts Institute in Lincoln, California; and WHEREAS, Actively involved both on campus and in the community as a spiritual activist, Derek James Healey was the recipient of the University at Albany Spring 2016 President's Award for Leadership, as well as the Interfaith Center Award in recognition of his extraordinary leadership, service, and commitment; and WHEREAS, Derek James Healey serves as President Emeritus of the University at Albany Interfaith Coalition, and currently sits on the Executive Board of Directors of the Interfaith Alliance of New York State; and WHEREAS, In addition, this esteemed young man works closely with the Interfaith Center, Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, the Capital District Coalition against Islamophobia, St. Rose Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary, and the Grafton Peace Pagoda; and WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a period of constructive involvement, Derek James Healey has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Derek James Healey has displayed throughout his life; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals 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 honor Derek James Healey upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Ed Bloch Interfaith Youth Award by the Capital Area Council of Churches on September 15, 2016; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Derek James Healey.