 
Senate Resolution No. 3331
 
BY: Senator STAVISKY
 
        CONGRATULATING  Gene  Russianoff upon the occasion
        of his retirement after more than  four  decades  of
        dedicated  service  to  the New York Public Interest
        Group
 
  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body   seeks   to   acknowledge   those
individuals  whose  professional  lives  and  civic  endeavors  serve to
enhance the stature of the State of New York; and
 
  WHEREAS, In the course of the evolving development  of  this  Empire
State,  when  the  ingredients of shared concern and responsive endeavor
combine in commitment to community, there emerge among the distinguished
citizenry of the State of New  York,  certain  individuals  who  warrant
special recognition; and
 
  WHEREAS,  This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Gene
Russianoff upon the occasion of his  retirement  after  more  than  four
decades  of  dedicated  service  to  the  New York Public Interest Group
(NYPIRG); and
 
  WHEREAS, For the past 40 years, Gene Russianoff  rendered  faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to NYPIRG; and
 
  WHEREAS,  After  growing  up  in  the  areas  of  Brighton Beach and
Sheepshead Bay, Gene Russianoff graduated from Brooklyn  College  before
obtaining his degree at Harvard Law School in 1978; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Despite  the  lucrative  career he could have enjoyed as a
graduate of Harvard Law School, Gene Russianoff has  devoted  more  than
four  decades  to  NYPIRG, the Straphangers Campaign, and protecting the
public's interest; and
 
  WHEREAS, As NYPIRG Senior Attorney  and  head  of  the  Straphangers
Campaign,  Gene  Russianoff  was  a  respected  leader  and advocate who
inspired and mentored hundreds of college students and NYPIRG staff; and
 
  WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, Gene Russianoff achieved
many things, including helping to reform the structure of the government
of the City of New York through the creation of a  voluntary  system  of
public  financing  which  is now considered a model of reform across the
nation; and
 
  WHEREAS, Furthermore, he was instrumental in the establishment of an
Independent Budget Office, a non-partisan, independent watchdog  of  the
City's finances, and a voter's guide to elections; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Gene  Russianoff  has been the proud recipient of numerous
awards and accolades, including  the  1994  Public  Service  Achievement
Award from the National Board of Common Cause and the 2010 Distinguished
Achievement  Award  from the Brooklyn College Alumni Association; he was
also designated a Charles H. Revson Fellow  at  Columbia  University  in
1983; and
 
  WHEREAS,  During  his  renowned  tenure  with  the  New  York Public
Interest Group (NYPIRG), Gene Russianoff truly  earned  the  admiration,
esteem and affection of his colleagues; 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 the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
congratulate  Gene  Russianoff upon the occasion of his retirement after
more than four decades of dedicated  service  to  the  New  York  Public
Interest  Group,  and  to  wish  him continued success in all his future
endeavors; and be it further
 
  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Gene Russianoff and the New York Public Interest Group.
Congratulate Gene Russianoff - RETIRE 40+ years

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