LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending JoAnne Page upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition in conjunction with Women's History
Month 2014 in the State of New York

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals and organizations 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 JoAnne Page
upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition in conjunc-
tion with Women's History Month 2014 in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, JoAnne Page began her illustrious career in the field of
criminal justice more than 30 years ago, and has served as President and
CEO of The Fortune Society, an organization established to assist former
prisoners with their reintegration into society, since 1989; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1967, The Fortune Society offers housing, employ-
ment, education, mental health services, and other programs to approxi-
mately 3,500 men and women each year, soon after they are released from
prison; and
WHEREAS, The mission of The Fortune Society is to support successful
reentry from prison, promote alternatives to incarceration and humanize
the criminal justice system, thus strengthening the fabric of our commu-
nities; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of JoAnne Page, The Fortune
Society's innovative and successful initiatives have become models for
similar programs across the country; this includes the opening of the
groundbreaking Fortune Academy, a nationally recognized residence of
emergency housing for men and women who have been released from prison
into homelessness; and
WHEREAS, In addition, JoAnne Page's determination to provide housing
for The Fortune Society's clients inspired the project, Castle Gardens,
the organization's first permanent housing complex, located in West
Harlem; the 11-story building, which opened in 2010, consists of 114
apartments, and provides services such as counseling, case management,
and financial planning; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1954, JoAnne Page is truly committed to rehabili-
tation, redemption, rebuilding families, and transforming lives; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Yale Law School, JoAnne Page is a frequent
speaker and presenter at conferences regarding such topics as alterna-
tives to incarceration, HIV case management, and criminal justice
issues; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, she has been a featured interview guest on such
national television programs as, CNN, Court TV, NBC News, The News Hour
with Jim Lehrer, The O'Reilly Factor and Geraldo Rivera; and
WHEREAS, The Fortune Society has been the recipient of numerous awards
and accolades from the National Institute of Justice, the American Soci-
ety of Criminology, the United States Department of Justice, and other
governmental and civic organizations; 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 celebrated and recognized by all the
citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend JoAnne Page upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition in conjunction with Women's History Month 2014 in the State
of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to JoAnne Page.