Honor Charlene Robbins Award

February 24, 2019 WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energy and serve the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and WHEREAS, Charlene Robbins has given not only of her time and energy but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and, consequently, has been designated for special recognition; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Charlene Robbins upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Four Chaplains Brotherhood Award by the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, Albany Post No. 105, celebrated at its 54th Annual Memorial Service and Brotherhood Award Program on Sunday, February 24,

2019, at the First Reformed Church of Schenectady; and WHEREAS, The Four Chaplains gave their lives in the sinking of the troopship Dorchester on February 3, 1943; the Brotherhood Award honors residents of the Capital District whose services and devotion in the practice of brotherhood are deserving of recognition; and WHEREAS, This prestigious honor exists to promote the cause of "unity without uniformity" by encouraging good will and cooperation among all people; its vision is to impart the principles of selfless service to humanity without regard to race, creed, ethnicity or religion; and WHEREAS, Charlene Robbins has led a life of service to others in various forms since her ordination on September 9, 2001, from the Holistic Studies Seminary Institute in Albany, New York; during this time she ministered to and comforted first responders and aid workers following the terror attacks at the World Trade Center on September 11th; and WHEREAS, This extraordinary woman is a Gold Star Mother of Army Staff Sergeant Thomas Robbins, who died in action in Iraq on February 9,

2004, attempting to save the lives of his soldiers during a mortar explosion; it was the intersection of these two elements of her life that inspire her steadfast efforts today; and WHEREAS, Charlene Robbins was recognized in 2005 as a Grand Marshal by the City of Albany Memorial Day Parade, participating on her son's behalf; her introduction to the wider veterans' community 13 years ago sparked her action and support, bringing spiritual leadership, empathy, comfort and peacefulness to the many veteran and civic events she supports; and WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Charlene Robbins is Chaplain of the TriCounty Council of Vietnam Era Veterans as well as for countless community programs and events, including the monthly Albany County Honor-A-Veteran program, The Albany County Honor-A-Living Veteran program, Albany High School Junior ROTC, the City of Albany Memorial and Veterans Day parades and the Town of Colonie Annual Memorial Day Service; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Charlene Robbins has displayed throughout her life; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the vitality and well-being of their community and its citizens, and have shown a long and sustained commitment to humanitarianism, have certainly 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 Charlene Robbins upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Four Chaplains Brotherhood Award by the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, Albany Post No. 105 on February 24, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Charlene Robbins.