Honor Glenn Liebman Award

Assembly Resolution No. 470 BY: M. of A. Barrett HONORING Glenn Liebman upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award on May 22, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those individuals within the great Empire State who have made strong contributions to the disability community; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Glenn Liebman upon the occasion of his designation as the 13th recipient of the Annual Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award presented at the 2017 Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day sponsored by the New York State Assembly Task Force on People with Disabilities and the New York State Assembly Committee on Mental Health on Monday, May 22, 2017; and WHEREAS, The Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award was created in

2005 to honor the late Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. for his lifelong commitment to advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities; and WHEREAS, The tremendous efforts that Glenn Liebman has made to improve and enhance the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities are worthy of this recognition; and WHEREAS, Glenn Liebman earned his bachelor's degree and his master's degree in Political Science from the State University at Albany; and WHEREAS, From 1994-1999, Glenn Liebman served as the Executive Director of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of New York State, now known as NAMI-NYS; this vital organization is the largest family-based mental health organization in New York State; and WHEREAS, For the next three years, Glenn Liebman was the First Program Director at the New York State Office of Mental Health for Kendra's Law; and WHEREAS, Glenn Liebman then served as the First Program Director of Adult Home Initiatives at the New York State Department of Health; in this capacity, he was responsible for working with various state agencies and stakeholder groups in helping to identify issues and implement positive reforms for residents of adult homes; and WHEREAS, Since 2004, Glenn Liebman has held the esteemed title of CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS), which is an organization dedicated to educating the public about both mental illness and mental health and advocating for positive transformation of the mental health system; and WHEREAS, Currently, MHANYS consists of 26 chapters representing 52 counties through the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Under Glenn Liebman's luminous leadership, MHANYS has been actively involved in several advocacy reforms including Timothy's Law Coalition, Mental Health Public Awareness through an Income Tax Check Off, and the Mental Health Education in Schools Bill; and WHEREAS, Most recently, MHANYS has diligently worked to raise direct care funding for behavioral health provider agencies; and WHEREAS, Glenn Liebman has dedicated both his professional and personal life to improving the lives of people with disabilities; and WHEREAS, The initiatives that Glenn Liebman strives to implement as a passionate advocate for persons with disabilities mirror the priorities that this Legislative Body has before us today, the New York State Assembly Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day 2017; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Glenn Liebman, a leader and an advocate, recognizing his labors and the promise of his future endeavors; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Glenn Liebman upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. Advocacy Award by the New York State Assembly; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Glenn Liebman.