Senate Resolution No. 119

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Bob Connors and Becky Meier upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of the
Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Award by Capital
District Citizen Action on October 20, 2016

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant 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 Bob Connors
and Becky Meier upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of
the Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Award by Capital District Citizen
Action to be celebrated at its 24th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday,
October 20, 2016, at the Desmond Hotel, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Awards are named in
honor of Jim Perry, a founding member of Capital District Citizen
Action; it is with the memories of his actions and words that this vital
organization recognizes those who have demonstrated a commitment to
community activism and leadership; and

WHEREAS, Bob Connors and Becky Meier are being honored with this
auspicious award for their role as two of the area's most dedicated,
inspiring activists and leaders who have spent countless hours working
to make their community a stronger, more just place to live; and

WHEREAS, Becky Meier began her activism at just 10 years old by
starting a petition to save starving children in Biafra; in Middle
School she led a Vietnam War teach-in, and in High School she worked as
a secretary for the author of The Other America, Michael Harrington; and

WHEREAS, As an elementary school teacher, Becky Meier fought against
test driven curriculum and for authentic project learning; in 2006, she
was instrumental in the establishment of the New England Coalition of
Progressive Elementary Educators; and

WHEREAS, After 20 years of teaching, Becky Meier worked for
organizations supporting immigrants, and has served on multiple local
boards; and

WHEREAS, Born and raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Bob Connors
has a degree in Marketing Management from the University of
Massachusetts; he went on to complete the Registered Nurse Program at
Berkshire Community College; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to the community, Bob Connors served as a
Peace Corps auditor in Gambia, West Africa, and worked for Housing Now
as a VISTA community organizer after college; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, Bob Connors worked in
sales and also owned and operated a used book store for nearly 30 years;
in addition, he was a founding member and community organizer for Common
Good Finance, an organization developing a community mutual credit
system, and co-coordinator of Berkshire Timebank; and

WHEREAS, In the spring of 2014, Becky Meier and Bob Connors founded
Stop New York Fracked Gas Pipeline after learning a fracked gas pipeline
was slated to go through their town; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, despite the pipeline project's proposed route
changing, Becky and Bob continued the fight to prevent the dangers of
this proliferation of the use of fossil fuel; due to the combined
efforts of individuals and groups in New York, Massachusetts and New
Hampshire, the company proposing the pipeline withdrew its application
last May; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by
individuals for the benefit of others which Bob Connors and Becky Meier
have displayed throughout their lives; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, 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 Bob Connors and Becky Meier upon the occasion of their designation
as recipients of the Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Award by Capital
District Citizen Action on October 20, 2016; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Bob Connors and Becky Meier.