Honor Michael Chapmen Award

Senate Resolution No. 203 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Michael Chapmen upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award by the Pride Center of the Capital Region WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the profound impact of those exemplary individuals within the great State of New York who proactively work for the enfranchisement of minority communities, and the importance of such work for the benefit of all citizens of this State, and indeed, all citizens of the Nation; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Michael Chapmen upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award by the Pride Center of the Capital Region to be celebrated at its Annual Awards Gala on Friday, October 19, 2018, at the Albany Capital Center, Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, This auspicious event benefits the Pride Center of the Capital Region and celebrates the important contributions of individuals who work hard to empower the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) community; Michael Chapmen is one such individual; and WHEREAS, Born and raised in the Capital Region, Michael Chapmen possesses a profound passion for helping every conceivable subset and cohort of the LGBTQ+ community; and WHEREAS, His roles as both facilitator of the Gay Men's Peer Support Group and organizer of the Sunday Supper, along with his partner David Reed for the last nine years, have truly made Michael Chapmen a legend and an icon in the greater Capital District area; and WHEREAS, Michael Chapmen is always a phone call away, day and night, ready to help; no task is ever too big or too small for him, and he always give 100%; and WHEREAS, A veteran in nearly every aspect of law enforcement, Mike Chapmen's impressive credentials include everything from local police work in his youth to working with the United States Marshals Service and later with the Secret Service in protecting then President Bill Clinton; and WHEREAS, Michael Chapmen has the outstanding distinction of finishing first in his class at the New York State Police Academy; this impressive achievement is so symbolic of his commitment to excellence in all areas of his life; his mantra in life is profound and worthy of following by all: "Make a difference in life TODAY, because no one is guaranteed a TOMORROW."; and WHEREAS, Our society is greatly benefited by the purposeful efforts of individuals who unite for the cause of improving the quality of life for others, and who proactively work toward the goal of dignity for all; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Michael Chapmen upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award by the Pride Center of the Capital Region; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Michael Chapmen.