Honor Reverend Phillips for Leadership

Assembly Resolution No. 128 BY: M. of A. Galef COMMENDING The Reverend Jeannette J. Phillips for special recognition in observance of Black History Month WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The Reverend Jeannette J. Phillips for special recognition in observance of Black History Month; and WHEREAS, Black History Month is a time to reflect on the struggles and victories of African Americans throughout our country's history and to recognize their numerous valuable contributions to the protection of our democratic society in times of war and in peace; and WHEREAS, In the early 1970s, the African-American women of the Peekskill community chose Reverend Jeannette J. Phillips to lead an effort to start a health center which would provide access to affordable health care in the community; through her extraordinary endeavors, the Peekskill Area Ambulatory Health Care Center opened in 1975, and she served as the first Chair of the health center's board of directors; in

1977, she assumed the role of its first Outreach Director; and WHEREAS, Today, Reverend Jeannette J. Phillips holds the title of Executive Vice President of Community Development at the center, marking over four decades of exemplary leadership in providing health care for the people of the Hudson Valley; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Reverend Jeannette J. Phillips, the Peekskill Area Ambulatory Health Care Center has grown into Hudson River Health Care, a network of 43 health centers throughout the Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island; this valuable organization provides affordable, accessible care to over 225,000 patients annually through primary and preventive treatment; and WHEREAS, Hudson River Health Care also plays a critical role in the overall health care delivery system in the downstate New York region by offering numerous services including adult and pediatric care, obstetrical and gynecological care, dental services, behavioral health services, nutrition counseling, HIV care, medication assisted treatment for substance use disorders, health education, and a full complement of outreach, interpretation, transportation, benefits counseling, and health insurance enrollment assistance; and WHEREAS, The Hudson River Health Care network is a designated Planetree affiliate, and has received the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission, the highest level of Patient Centered Medical Home recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance; and WHEREAS, In addition to her work with Hudson River Health Care, Reverend Jeannette Phillips is the Associate Minister of the Park Street African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church where she is committed to providing a variety of ministries to her community; she is also a member of the boards of directors and a participant in countless community-based organizations; and WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her community, Reverend Jeannette Phillips is the recipient of many awards and accolades; in 2012, she was inducted into the Women of Distinction Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband of over 60 years, The Reverend Howard Phillips; their five children, 25 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren, all of whom have shown her love and support and rejoice in her many achievements; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those individuals within the health field who distinguish themselves through professional excellence and who have made significant contributions to the quality of life of citizens in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, As a leader in her profession, Reverend Jeannette J. Phillips has proven herself to be a great asset to medicine and to the health and welfare of the citizens of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend The Reverend Jeannette J. Phillips for special recognition in observance of Black History Month; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Reverend Jeannette J. Phillips and to the Executive Staff of Hudson River Health Care.