Honor Dr. Horsley’s Retirement

Assembly Resolution No. 180 BY: M. of A. Jean-Pierre CONGRATULATING Dr. Wayne R. Horsley upon the occasion of his retirement after 44 years of distinguished service to Long Island WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have devoted themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their community and the needs of its residents; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Dr. Wayne R. Horsley upon the occasion of his retirement after 44 years of distinguished service to Long Island to be celebrated on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at The Snapper Inn, Oakdale, New York; and WHEREAS, Wayne R. Horsley graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History/Political Science/Education/Sociology in 1972; he went on to earn a Master of Public Administration from Bernard Baruch College in 1979, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Modern World History in 2002, and a Doctorate of Arts degree in Modern World History in 2006, from St. John's University, Jamaica Campus; and WHEREAS, Dr. Wayne R. Horsley began his illustrious career as Supervisor of the Jones Beach State Parkway Authority-Belmont Lake State Park, serving from 1976 to 1978, when he became Finance Director of Long Island States Parks; and WHEREAS, In 1995, Dr. Wayne R. Horsley became the Deputy Director of the Town of Babylon Industrial Development Agency where he served until

1999; he then became Councilman of the Town of Babylon, as well as an Adjunct Professor of History at both St. John's University and Farmingdale State College; and WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, Dr. Wayne R. Horsley served as Deputy Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature from 2006 until 2013; during this time he was elected to an 18-person board responsible for the governance of the County, and served as Committee Chair of Economic Development, Energy & Education; and WHEREAS, In addition, he was Vice-Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee, Chair of the Suffolk County Wastewater Task Force, and a member of the Public Works and Transportation Committee, and the Budget and Finance Committee; and WHEREAS, In September of 2013, Dr. Wayne R. Horsley served as Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature until December of the same year when he became Regional Director of Long Island State Parks, the esteemed position from which he will retire on March 1, 2019; and WHEREAS, In this capacity, Dr. Wayne R. Horsley administers and coordinates operations, planning, maintenance, public relations, development and security of the State Park Region covering both Nassau and Suffolk Counties; and WHEREAS, As a member of the executive team, Dr. Wayne R. Horsley provides advice and recommendations to the Commissioner and other executive staff members on the formulation, implementation and evaluation of agency policies, programs, procedures and priorities, as well as agency restructuring; and WHEREAS, Dr. Wayne R. Horsley also represents the agency in dealings with constituency groups, government officials, professional societies, public interest groups, friends groups, and other organizations and individuals to develop and expedite the resolution of issues of mutual concern and to advocate, generate and promote support for agency faculties, programs and services; and WHEREAS, Active in his community, Dr. Wayne R. Horsley serves as Program Coordinator of the Babylon Chapter of Rotary International and Board Member of Wyandanch Homes & Property Development Corporation; he is also past President of the Babylon Village Beautification Society and a Babylon Village Historical and Preservation Society Trustee; and WHEREAS, As a former Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America, Dr. Wayne R. Horsley is the Founder of the Good Deed Award, which is now highly regarded as a prime Boy Scout fundraising tool; and WHEREAS, Dr. Wayne R. Horsley is the proud recipient of numerous awards and accolades including, the 2017 Nathaniel Conklin Award for volunteer service to Babylon Village, and the 2014 Man of the Year Award from the West Babylon Athletic Association and Babylon Village Arts Council; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Barbara, and their four children, Scott (Tarita), Bennett (Maria), Jacqueline (Jeffrey) and Jordan (Mao), as well as seven grandchildren, Darwin, Nova Jean, Aurelia, Sonora, Lincoln James, Luna and Sola, who have all shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that demonstrated by Dr. Wayne R. Horsley over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Dr. Wayne R. Horsley upon the occasion of his retirement after 44 years of distinguished service to Long Island; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. Wayne R. Horsley.