LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Luke J. Nasta upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate

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 Luke J. Nasta
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal,
the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State
Senate; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Luke J. Nasta is an Executive Director and Educator, with
extensive experience in the non-profit substance abuse rehabilitation
arena; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated leader and a true man of distinction, Luke J.
Nasta has contributed distinguished services to humanity and touched the
lives of many, sharing his personal and professional gifts within the
New York City region; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Luke J. Nasta
endured a turbulent adolescence; a school dropout at 15, he thereafter
became addicted to heroin and his continued downward plunge was punctu-
ated by repeated arrests, short periods of incarceration, and several
sentences to probation; and
WHEREAS, The turning point came in 1973 when Luke J. Nasta entered
Exodus House, a drug treatment facility in Harlem; he remained there for
the next two and a half years in a therapeutically intensive campaign to
win his personal war against drug usage; this experience would later
serve as the foundation for his professional convictions and achieve-
ments; and
WHEREAS, Since 1976, Luke J. Nasta has been Executive Director of
Camelot Counseling Centers, the largest drug treatment program on Staten
Island, where he oversees a multi-million dollar budget, as well as 80
full and part time workers; this year in February marks his 40th Anni-
versary at Camelot Counseling; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Luke J. Nasta, Camelot Coun-
seling Centers provides residential and outpatient services to those
affected by addictive disease, as well as other counseling programs in
the boroughs of Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Luke J. Nasta created and established two Staten
Island residential chemical dependency treatment programs for young male
adults, and founded and developed multi-site prevention and intervention
borough-wide projects; and
WHEREAS, Luke J. Nasta strives to effect change in law, social policy,
and regulations relative to addictive disease, health services, insur-
ance, family, juvenile, and criminal law matters; and
WHEREAS, After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Community and
Human Services at Empire State College in 1987, Luke J. Nasta received a

Master of Science degree in Public Administration from Metropolitan
College; and
WHEREAS, Luke J. Nasta has served as the Public Policy Officer for the
Coalition for Community Services since 1990; he also joined the Tackling
Youth Substance Abuse committee in 2013, where he serves as Vice Chair-
man; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Luke J. Nasta
received the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
Services Commissioners Award, and the Community Services Award; he is
also a former member of the New York State Governor's Advisory Council
on Substance Abuse and Alcoholism, as well as the New York City Bureau
of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioners Advisory Group;
and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, the former Mary Rose
McBrien, his three sons, Luke Jr., Cole and Sean, and a daughter, Made-
line, as well as four grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Individuals such as Luke J. Nasta, devoted to improving the
quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and
self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Luke J. Nasta upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Luke J. Nasta.