LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Victoria Schneps-Yunis upon the occasion
of her designation as recipient of the Achievers Award by the Long
Island Center for Business & Professional Women

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 Victoria
Schneps-Yunis upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Achievers Award by the Long Island Center for Business & Professional
Women, to be celebrated at its 37th Annual Awards Gala on Wednesday, May
4, 2016, at the Fox Hollow, Woodbury, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Long Island Center for Business & Professional Women will
honor Victoria Schneps-Yunis with this auspicious award in recognition
of her extraordinary achievements and significant contributions in her
field, opening doors for others to foster a rise in business, the
professions, and the community-at-large; and
WHEREAS, As founder in 1985 of Schneps Communications, Victoria
Schneps-Yunis is Publisher and CEO of groups of weekly community newspa-
pers, websites, events, and social media in New York City; the group
includes the QUEENS COURIER, BROOKLYN HOME REPORTER, BROOKLYN SPECTATOR,
the RIDGEWOOD TIMES, and EL CORREO, a Spanish language newspaper; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Schneps Communications includes such magazines
as QUEENS BUSINESS, the LONG ISLAND CITY COURIER, NORTH SHORE TOWERS
COURIER, LEHAVRE COURIER, LEFRAK CITY COURIER, CRYDER POINT COURIER,
ASPIRE, and BORO MAGAZINE; and
WHEREAS, Inspired by the power of the press during her advocacy work
on behalf of her daughter Lara, who was brain damaged at birth, Victoria
Schneps-Yunis pursued her dream of being in the news business; and
WHEREAS, Victoria Schneps-Yunis began the QUEENS COURIER with a 250
dollar investment in her Bayside living room; since that time, Schneps
Communications has grown to publish more than 19 newspapers and maga-
zines; and
WHEREAS, The QUEENS COURIER was chosen as one of the Top 10 Newspapers
in New York State and its website was ranked No. 1 by the New York State
Press Association; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, in 1971, Victoria Schneps-Yunis founded Life's
WORC, a non-profit organization which has grown to serve more than 1,000
individuals with developmental disabilities and autism; this vital
organization operates 40 group homes and 19 day programs, including a
Family Center for Autism; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of countless awards and accolades for her
steadfast and unwavering community service, Victoria Schneps-Yunis was
chosen to carry the Olympic Torch during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta;
she was also named as Business Person of the Year by the Queens Chamber
of Commerce, and has served as the Grand Marshal of the Queens Hispanic
Parade; and
WHEREAS, Active within her community, Victoria Schneps-Yunis serves on
the boards of the Queens Museum of Art, Life's WORC, South Boys and
Girls Club, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning and Flushing Bank; and
WHEREAS, Victoria Schneps-Yunis earned her Bachelor of Science degree
from New York University and her Master of Science degree from Brooklyn

College; recently widowed, she is the proud mother of three surviving
children, four step-children and 14 grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Victoria Schneps-Yunis 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 Victoria Schneps-Yunis upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Achievers Award by the Long Island Center for Business
& Professional Women; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Victoria Schneps-Yunis.