Honor Walter W. Stockton

23, 2019 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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Walter W. Stockton upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by Independent Group Home Living Program, Inc. to be celebrated at its 40th Anniversary Gala on Thursday, May 23, 2019, at Flowerfield, St. James, New York; and WHEREAS, Walter W. Stockton is the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Group Home Living Program, Inc. (IGHL), an Eastern Long Island based not-for-profit agency which provides lifetime alternatives for people with intellectual disabilities; and WHEREAS, Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Walter W. Stockton earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from California State University in Pennsylvania; and WHEREAS, Walter W. Stockton began his illustrious career in 1969, as the Director of Recreation at Maryhaven Center of Hope in Port Jefferson, New York, where he subsequently served as Director of Residential Services; and WHEREAS, After completing his Master's degree in Special Education at Adelphi University, Walter W. Stockton was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Careers at Suffolk County Community College in Selden, New York, where he served as the Program Director of the Therapeutic Recreation Leadership Program and also initiated a curriculum in Community Residence Management; and WHEREAS, In 1978, Walter W. Stockton established IGHL after receiving an initial Federal grant to convert a private home on Long Island's North Shore into a residence for eight adults with developmental disabilities residing in the Willowbrook State School; and WHEREAS, Since its inception, under the able leadership of Walter W. Stockton, the agency has opened over 80 residential programs, 25 day programs and a 32-bed Nursing Intensive Care facility for senior citizens; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, IGHL serves a total population of over 5,000 children and adults and agency-wide employs over 2,400 professional and support staff; and WHEREAS, Walter W. Stockton is currently the President of the Alliance of Long Island Agencies, Inc., whose membership advocates for people with developmental disabilities, as well as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Advance Care Alliance (ACA), a care coordination organization currently serving over 25,000 individuals who experience intellectual and physical disabilities in the downstate New York area; and WHEREAS, In addition, he has also served as a member of the Quogue School Board for 18 years and as its President for five years; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Walter W. Stockton 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 Walter W. Stockton upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by Independent Group Home Living Program, Inc. on