Senate Resolution No. 169

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMENDING Dr. Michael Kelberman upon the occasion
of his induction into the 2024 Oneida County
Historical Richard W. Couper Living Legends Hall of
Fame on October 10, 2024

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
and character of life in this great Empire State is indelibly enriched
by the faithful and untiring efforts of those individuals who have
helped shape the history of their area; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Dr. Michael Kelberman upon the occasion of his induction into
the 2024 Oneida County Historical Richard W. Couper Living Legends Hall
of Fame on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the Irish Cultural Center in
Utica, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Oneida County Historical Hall of Fame was established
in 1946 and honors individuals from Oneida County who made an impact on
the local community and the world; the Living Legends category was added
in 2001 to celebrate present-day models of people making a difference;
and

WHEREAS, When Dr. Michael Kelberman's son, Harry, was diagnosed with
autism at two years of age, he and his wife, Jennifer, were introduced
to an unfamiliar world, with a suddenly uncertain future and no clear
path forward; even as a practicing cardiologist and his wife a trained
nurse practitioner, the couple struggled to find sophisticated
diagnostic, behavioral, or educational resources locally; and

WHEREAS, During this time, Dr. Michael Kelberman and his wife made
the decision to take their resources and energy and create a
state-of-the-art autism organization in their community of Utica, New
York; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Kelberman Center is a leading autism services
center for children, adults and families, providing comprehensive autism
programs and services for people throughout all phases of life, from
early childhood through adulthood, including Home & Community Based,
Educational, Clinical, Residential, and Camp; and

WHEREAS, With a goal to meet people and families where they are in
life and to support them every step of the way as they define autism and
navigate that journey together, the expert staff at the Kelberman Center
empower those they support with specialized one-of-a-kind programs,
resources, and wrap-around services, creating a fulfilling,
life-enriching experience for people and families; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing the need to serve families with autism beyond
preschool, Kelberman was officially incorporated as its own non-profit
organization in 2005 in Utica, New York; currently, the Center has
locations in Utica and Syracuse as well as seven community residences;
and


WHEREAS, In 2021, Kelberman opened the LINK apartments in Utica, an
inclusive living community for people of all abilities, the first-ever
of its kind in New York State; and

WHEREAS, This vital organization has grown tremendously since its
inception; few autism organizations have been able to offer such a broad
array of high-quality services and programs, and its reach has expanded
across much of Upstate New York as the prevalence of autism spectrum
disorder continues to grow; and

WHEREAS, With a tireless and unwavering commitment to Central New
York and beyond, Dr. Michael Kelberman devoted his entire life to
improving the quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives
of dignity and self-worth; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary man has lived an immensely beautiful
life built on compassion, kindness, and respect for others; he is one of
the most significant and enduring civic and medical leaders in the
County of Oneida, and his insight and strength will forever inspire the
lives of the countless people he has touched; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Dr. Michael Kelberman upon the occasion of his induction into
the 2024 Oneida County Historical Richard W. Couper Living Legends Hall
of Fame on October 10, 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Michael Kelberman.