LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Michael Mascari upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Humanitarian Award by the Nassau County
AHRC Foundation on June 19, 2015

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 Michael
Mascari upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Humani-
tarian Award by the Nassau County AHRC Foundation, to be celebrated at
its 65th Annual Rose Ball on Friday, June 19, 2015, at Crest Hollow
Country Club, Woodbury, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Rose Ball, Nassau County AHRC Foundation's largest and
most prestigious event of the year, allows AHRC to continue its mission
to ensure compassionate, community-based programs for people with devel-
opmental disabilities now and in the future, regardless of budget cuts
and changes in the political and economic climate; and
WHEREAS, Longtime Executive Director of AHRC, Michael Mascari has
dedicated his career to advocating on behalf of people with develop-
mental disabilities; when he joined AHRC Nassau as its Executive Direc-
tor in 1988, the agency served 500 children and adults; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his illustrious 27-year tenure, Michael
Mascari, in partnership with the organization's Board of Directors and
management team, developed a full range of programs and services to meet
the evolving and lifetime needs of people with special needs; and
WHEREAS, Today, as Executive Director of AHRC Nassau and its affiliate
organizations which include Brookville Center for Children's Services,
Advantage Care Diagnostic & Treatment Center, Inc., and Citizens Options
Unlimited, Inc., Michael Mascari oversees profound annual operating
budgets and a workforce of more than 3,100 professionals committed to
enriching the lives of over 4,000 people with developmental disabilities
throughout the Long Island Region; and
WHEREAS, Under the professional leadership of Michael Mascari, the
agency has championed new legislation, pioneered pathways to promote
full community inclusion, and continues in its mission to create indi-
vidualized, meaningful supports and life opportunities for people with
developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Michael Mascari holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dart-
mouth College, as well as a Master of Social Work from Case Western
Reserve University; he began his career as a social worker and later
became the community residence Manager in AHRC New York City's first
group home in 1969; and
WHEREAS, During this time, he entered public service with the City of
New York as Assistant Commissioner for Mental Retardation Services and
was soon appointed to the groundbreaking joint position as both Assist-
ant Commissioner for New York City and Associate Commissioner for New
York State, serving the upstate region; and
WHEREAS, Michael Mascari is also the proud recipient of the Lester B.
Granger Lifetime Service Award, a Dartmouth College Martin Luther King,
Jr. Social Justice Award; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Michael Mascari has displayed
throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, 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 Michael Mascari upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the Humanitarian Award by the Nassau County AHRC Foundation on June
19, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Michael Mascari.