LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Mary Travers Murphy upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the Ed Stout Memorial Award for
Outstanding Victim Advocacy

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals 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 honor Mary Travers
Murphy upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Ed Stout
Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy by the United States
Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus; this momentous occasion was cele-
brated with a ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. during
National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 19 to April 25, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations devoted to improving the quali-
ty of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and self-
worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious award was presented to Mary Travers Murphy in
recognition of her sincere commitment to public awareness, expanded
outreach, easy access to services and work to find innovative solutions
for those affected by domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, Executive Director of the Erie County Family Justice Center,
Mary Travers Murphy has been giving victims and survivors of abuse
protection, hope and a way forward since she was named to this esteemed
position in 2010; and
WHEREAS, Located in Buffalo, New York, the Family Justice Center of
Erie County was established in 2006, providing a one-stop center for
women and children to access free services; this Western New York
location was chosen as one of 15 sites in the United States awarded
funding through the U.S. Department of Justice; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Mary Travers Murphy, the
Family Justice Center of Erie County expanded its reach beyond the urban
center to provide satellite offices in the northern and southern
suburbs; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Mary Travers Murphy is working with law enforce-
ment and the Erie County Family Court to provide on-site video confer-
encing services at the center satellite sites to allow victims to
receive an order of protection the same day he or she asks for help; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Mary Travers Murphy 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 Mary Travers Murphy has displayed
throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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
honor Mary Travers Murphy upon the occasion of her designation as recip-
ient of the Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mary Travers Murphy.