LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Fisher Family upon the occasion of
their designation for special recognition by the Albany Stratton VA
Medical Center on June 25, 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 the Fisher
Family upon the occasion of their designation for special recognition by
the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center on Thursday, June 25, 2015, in
Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Fisher Family has been called upon to contribute their
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and have
always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Zachary Fisher was a prominent figure in the New York real
estate community and a major philanthropic benefactor for the men and
women in the United States Armed Forces, as well as numerous other not-
for-profit organizations; and
WHEREAS, A native of Brooklyn, New York, Zachary Fisher began working
in construction at the age of 16, and shortly thereafter, he and his
brothers, Martin and Larry, joined forces to form Fisher Brothers, which
has grown into one of the real estate industry's premier residential and
commercial developers, owning more than five million square feet of
office space; and
WHEREAS, From the earliest days of his construction career, Zachary
Fisher was a strong supporter of the United States Armed Forces;
prevented from active service in World War II due to a leg injury, he
drew on his building skills to assist the U.S. Coastal Service in the
construction of coastal fortifications; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, Zachary Fisher established the Zachary and Elizabeth
M. Fisher Armed Services Foundation; through the Foundation, he made
significant contributions to the families of the victims of the 1983
bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut; since then, the Foundation has
made countless contributions to military families who have lost loved
ones under tragic circumstances; and
WHEREAS, Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher began the Fisher House program
in 1990, dedicating significant funds to the construction of comfort
homes for families of hospitalized military personnel; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, Zachary Fisher received the Presidential Medal of
Freedom in honor of his wide-ranging contributions on behalf of the
young men and women in the United States Armed Forces; he also received
the Horatio Alger Award, the Volunteer Action Award, the Presidential
Citizens Medal, the Senior Civilian Award, as well as the top awards a
civilian can receive from each branch of the military; and
WHEREAS, In addition, in December of 1999, then President Bill Clinton
signed Public Law conferring upon Zachary Fisher the status of an honor-
ary Veteran in the United States Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, The Fishers were truly dedicated to enhancing the public
perception of the United States Military and to helping those members of
the Armed Forces in need; they were true patriots who ardently supported
numerous philanthropic activities; and

WHEREAS, The Fisher House Foundation, Inc. has established 32 Zachary
and Elizabeth Fisher Houses since its inception, providing a home-away-
from-home for families of hospitalized patients undergoing treatment at
United States Military and Veterans Hospitals; and
WHEREAS, Today, the work of Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher is carried on
by their nephew Kenneth, who is Chairman of the Fisher House Foundation
Board; Audrey Fisher and Nancy Edelman, both Fisher House Foundation
Trustees, act as Ambassadors for the Fisher House Foundation and visit
each house annually; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, the Fisher Family has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which the Fisher Family has displayed through-
out their lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Fisher Family upon the occasion of their designation for
special recognition by the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center on June 25,
2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Fisher Family.