LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Maryanne Arena upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Women of Distinction Racial Justice
Award by the Genesee County YWCA on June 13, 2015

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, Maryanne Arena has given not only of her time and energies
but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Maryanne Arena
upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Women of
Distinction Racial Justice Award by the Genesee County YWCA, to be cele-
brated at its inaugural Women of Distinction Awards Gala on Saturday,
June 13, 2015, at Stuart Steiner Theatre, Genesee Community College,
Batavia, New York; and
WHEREAS, Maryanne Arena has been called upon to contribute her time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Maryanne Arena has played many roles in her lifetime from
police officer and professional actress to teacher, program developer,
and most recently as Director of Genesee Community College's fine and
performing arts; and
WHEREAS, Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Maryanne Arena loved coming
from a diverse background; she was the first woman police officer in her
precinct where she was instrumental in stopping an armed robbery in
progress; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Maryanne Arena created a college theater program
while working in Michigan, as well as a gifted-and-talented program in
Virginia before coming to Western New York in 2005 and taking the Direc-
tor's position at Genesee Community College (GCC); and
WHEREAS, A champion of equal rights, Maryanne Arena, in her capacity
as Director of GCC's fine and performing arts, has opted for less popu-
lar and socially uncomfortable topics including racial inequality,
domestic violence, schizophrenia and suicide, encouraging her students
to grow, not just as students and performers, but as responsible indi-
viduals in society; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Maryanne Arena has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Maryanne Arena has displayed
throughout her life; 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
honor Maryanne Arena upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Women of Distinction Racial Justice Award by the Genesee County
YWCA on June 13, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Maryanne Arena.