Senate Resolution No. 2719

BY: Senator RANZENHOFER

COMMENDING Jack F. Quinn, Jr. upon the occasion of
his retirement after nine years of distinguished
service to SUNY Erie Community College

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled;
its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its
educational professionals and the students they inspire; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those
outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have
been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the
young people of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Jack F. Quinn, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement after
nine years of distinguished service to SUNY Erie Community College; and

WHEREAS, President Jack F. Quinn, Jr. will officially retire from
this position following the College's 2017 commencement ceremony; and

WHEREAS, Educators like Jack F. Quinn, Jr. have provided a
tremendous service to the future of our State and Nation, inspiring
generations of young people in their educational journeys and ensuring
their success in their future years; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Bishop Timon High School in 1969,
Jack F. Quinn, Jr. earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Siena
College in 1973; five years later, he obtained his master's degree in
education from the University at Buffalo, and a superintendent
credential from SUNY Fredonia; and

WHEREAS, For the next 10 years, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. taught English
and coached at Orchard Park Middle School; from 1984-1992, he held the
title of Supervisor of the Town of Hamburg; and

WHEREAS, From 1993-2005, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. served as a United
States Congressman representing Buffalo, New York; he then held the
position of President of Cassidy & Associates, a government relations
firm in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Since 2008, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. has held the title of
President of SUNY Erie Community College (ECC), a two-year college
consisting of 14,000 students; the second-largest college in Western New
York, it offers more than 100 associate degree, certificate, joint and
online programs on three campuses in Buffalo, Orchard Park and
Williamsville, New York; and

WHEREAS, In this capacity, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. has done an
outstanding job advocating for ECC, leading ECC, and adapting ECC to the
burgeoning economic growth of Buffalo and Western New York; he has

always visualized the big picture, setting ECC up for the future and
driving the college forward each day; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. has accomplished
numerous goals including the completion of the new STEM building, and
the nanotechnology wing; he was also instrumental in achieving contract
settlements with ECC's two largest unions until 2020; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. has held
numerous leadership positions for various organizations including
Director of the Program on Science in the Public Interest at Georgetown
University; Director of Fundraising of the American Ireland Fund,
Director of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, Trustee of
the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, and Commissioner of both the New
York State Tax Relief Commission and the Hurricane Sandy Task Force; and

WHEREAS, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. has been a vital member of several
boards of directors for many worthy organizations such as So Others May
Eat, the Catholic Health System of Western New York, the Kaiser Aluminum
Corporation, and Read to Succeed Buffalo, as well as the ECC Foundation;
and

WHEREAS, This remarkable man has also been a member of the Western
New York College Connection Executive Committee; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. served as co-Chair of the New
York Empire State Summer Games, and participated in the White House
Summit on community colleges; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to education,
Jack F. Quinn, Jr. was the recipient of several awards and accolades
including the 2011 WNY Vision Award, the 2011 Graduate School of
Education Distinguished Alumni Award by SUNY at Buffalo, and was
selected as one of 2015's Most Influential Business Leaders by Buffalo
Business First; and

WHEREAS, Jack F. Quinn, Jr.'s dedication to his students, faculty
and staff at SUNY Erie Community College has been his hallmark for
almost a decade; under his direction, the college has increased programs
and services, significantly expanding access to higher education
opportunities for Erie County residents; and

WHEREAS, Jack F. Quinn, Jr.'s quest for excellence is well-known; he
attributes much of his success to the dedicated ethical team of
educators, supportive friends, caring and involved parents, and
wonderful, enthusiastic students; and

WHEREAS, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. has clearly had an enduring impact on
the students of SUNY Erie Community College, as well as on the
community-at-large, and accordingly merits recognition and applause for
his impressive dedication to others; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those individuals who work to support our proud tradition of
institutions of higher education by providing their skills and talents
to our colleges; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Jack F. Quinn, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement after
nine years of distinguished service to SUNY Erie Community College; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jack F. Quinn, Jr.