LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Stella Penizotto upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition as recipient of the 2009 Small
Business Person of the Year Award by the New York State Small Business
Development Center

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Stella Penizotto upon the occasion of her designation for special recog-
nition as recipient of the 2009 Small Business Person of the Year Award
by the New York State Small Business Development Center; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, Stella Penizotto opened the first Shining Stars
Daycare, Inc. facility in East Syracuse, New York; she opened a second
location in Manlius, New York, in 2001; and
WHEREAS, Stella Penizotto was awarded a grant from the New York State
Office of Children and Family Services in 2006 to assist in building a
new state-of-the-art childcare center offering indoor gyms and outdoor
playgrounds, as well as a lending library; with this assistance, she
opened a new center in Liverpool, New York, that supports the employees
of Lockheed Martin, Onondaga County's sixth largest employer; and
WHEREAS, Winner of the 2007 "Contribution to Inclusion" award by
Enable, a special needs agency, Stella Penizotto started the first inte-
grated pre-school program for autistic children; prior to the establish-
ment of her program, parents who desired a full day program for their
autistic children were required to transport them to Utica and Bingham-
ton each day; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, Stella Penizotto was recognized for her contrib-
utions to the community by being named "Economic Champion" by the Onon-
daga County Chamber of Commerce, as well as being inducted into the New
York State Small Business Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, The principals of Shining Stars Daycare, Stella and John
Penizotto, have excelled in a challenging industry; they were the New
York State Small Business Development Center's Entrepreneur of the Year
Award winners in 2001; in their 13 years of business, they have expanded
Shining Stars Daycare, Inc. six times to its current capacity for 244
children; the business employs 63 people in all; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Stella Penizotto has
stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the
respect and admiration of her colleagues, family and friends; rare
indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the bene-
fit of others which Stella Penizotto has displayed throughout her life;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions and individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought
to our attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Stella Penizotto upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition as recipient of the 2009 Small Business Person of the Year

Award by the New York State Small Business Development Center; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Stella Penizotto.