Honor Mary S. O'Connell

Senate Resolution No. 206 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Mary S. O'Connell upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Father Frank O'Connor Award by Family Promise of the Capital Region WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Mary S. O'Connell upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Father Frank O'Connor Award by Family Promise of the Capital Region to be celebrated at its 4th Annual Doors to the Future event on Thursday, October 18, 2018, at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, in Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, Now in its fourth year, Family Promise of the Capital Region (FPCR) has extended overnight hospitality to 27 families in the Capital Region, offering them the individualized, community-based, wraparound support needed to secure affordable housing and sustainable employment; this valuable organization has also provided assistance to numerous families who were on the verge of homelessness; and WHEREAS, Mary S. O'Connell retired in 2015 from AHC, where she assisted clients in determining their eligibility for Medicaid and Social Security; the agency serviced the Northeastern and Western regions of New York State, including 25 hospitals; and WHEREAS, When FPCR opened its doors in April of 2015, Mary S. O'Connell donated all of her personal office furniture and supplies to the Family Promise Day Center; and WHEREAS, In addition, Mary S. O'Connell offered her expertise and experience as a client advocate, accompanying many Family Promise guests to their appointments with the Department of Social Services (DSS) in Albany, Schenectady, and Rensselaer Counties; and WHEREAS, Mary S. O'Connell has assisted many guest families in completing 20 plus page applications required by DSS to obtain temporary assistance and SNAP benefits (food stamps); and WHEREAS, This extraordinary woman is a regular weekend volunteer at the Family Promise Day Center and an overnight volunteer at many Family Promise host sites; she is a dedicated volunteer whose knowledge, experience, and compassion for the guests has been instrumental to the success of Family Promise and to the families it serves; and WHEREAS, Mary S. O'Connell and her beautiful Old English bulldog, Stella, reside in Albany where she and her husband, Edward, raised three children, Sean, Seanan, and Brendan; she is also the proud grandmother of Katelyn and Madeline, and the loving daughter of Wynne Sheehan, who turned 101 this year; and WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons who provide exemplary service, whether through participation in voluntary programs, through unique personal achievement in their profession or simply through a lifetime of good citizenship; 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 Mary S. O'Connell upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Father Frank O'Connor Award by Family Promise of the Capital Region; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Mary S. O'Connell.