Honor Jon Lemelin's Service

26, 2019 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention to the dedicated efforts of those legal professionals from across the State of New York who volunteer their time and energies in service to the community; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Jon Lemelin, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Friend of the Legal Project Award by The Legal Project, to be celebrated at its Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 26, 2019, at The Century House, Latham, New York; and WHEREAS, Founded by the Capital District Women's Bar Association in

1995, The Legal Project is a private, not-for-profit organization which provides a variety of free and low cost legal services to the working poor, victims of domestic violence and other underserved individuals in the Capital District of New York State; and WHEREAS, This auspicious award honors an individual or group who has gone beyond the call of duty to provide service or support to assist The Legal Project in helping those in need; Jon Lemelin is one such individual; and WHEREAS, Jon Lemelin joined The Legal Project as a volunteer immigration paralegal in March of 2018; working under the supervision of an immigration attorney, he has conducted client interviews and drafted a variety of immigration-related applications; and WHEREAS, In addition, he led the data team for the Detention Outreach Project, which helped represent asylum-seekers who were detained at the Albany County Jail; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his community, Jon Lemelin is currently working on a project to help develop immigration-related training for the Albany County Sheriff's Department; and WHEREAS, Prior to joining The Legal Project, Jon Lemelin was a volunteer at the United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants; and WHEREAS, Jon Lemelin received a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the University of Connecticut in 1984; he went on to earn a Master's degree in Business Administration from UCLA in 1989; and WHEREAS, Pro bono work by skilled professionals is an essential element of all societies; it provides a way in which the human values of community, caring and serving can be sustained and strengthened; and WHEREAS, This vital legal service promotes family and community solidarity; most importantly, attorneys who volunteer their time in civic and charitable endeavors inspire others to the call of volunteerism; 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 Jon Lemelin, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Friend of the Legal Project Award by The Legal Project on April 26, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Jon Lemelin, Esq.