LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Chautauqua
County Court Appointed Special Advocates, and commending Family Court
Judge Judy Claire and Donna Vanstrom for special recognition

WHEREAS, A community is only as great as those persons and organizations
that provide exemplary service, whether through participation in volun-
tary programs, through unique personal achievement in their profession
or other endeavors, or through a lifetime of good citizenship; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 10th
Anniversary of Chautauqua County Court Appointed Special Advocates, and
to commend Family Court Judge Judy Claire and former Chair Donna
Vanstrom upon the occasion of their designation for special recognition
on March 14, 2014; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
program is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for
abused and neglected children so they can thrive in safe, permanent
homes as quickly as possible; and
WHEREAS, CASA plans to continue to expand until all children who have
suffered from abuse and neglect and live in foster care in Chautauqua
County are matched with CASA volunteers who will help them navigate
their experience in foster care until they are placed in safe, nurturing
and permanent homes; and
WHEREAS, Judge Judy Claire brought the idea to Chautauqua County,
arranged for the first meeting of a number of human services agencies in
an effort to get the CASA program started in Chautauqua County, and has
been a strong advocate and supporter throughout its history; and
WHEREAS, Donna Vanstrom was one of the original 28 people who were
part of the Planning Committee which formed CASA, served as a Board
president, and was recognized as one of its outstanding volunteers; the
annual volunteer of the year award is named after Donna Vanstrom; and
WHEREAS, Judge Judy Claire and Donna Vanstrom have given not only of
their time and energies but also of their competence, intelligence and
leadership; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Chautauqua County Court Appointed
Special Advocates, and commending Judge Judy Claire and Donna Vanstrom
for special recognition; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Chautauqua County Court Appointed Special Advocates, Judge
Judy Claire and Donna Vanstrom.