Senate Resolution No. 3959

BY: Senator GOLDEN

COMMEMORATING the 60th Anniversary of the Guild
for Exceptional Children, Inc.

WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations 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; and

WHEREAS, From time to time, society calls upon these individuals and
organizations to be recognized for the significance of their
contributions and efforts to assist others in developing the skills
necessary to be successful, productive citizens; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
60th Anniversary of the Guild for Exceptional Children, Inc., to be
celebrated with a Gala on Friday, October 26, 2018; and

WHEREAS, A not-for-profit agency, the Guild for Exceptional Children
(GEC) was founded in 1958, by parents and friends of people with
developmental disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The GEC quickly grew from a dedicated group of parents
volunteering their time to support each other, to a leading edge
advocacy agency which spearheaded community living options, opening the
very first group home in New York City in 1970; and

WHEREAS, Through the dedication of its founding parents and
countless other community leaders, the GEC helped create a Civil Rights
Movement for individuals living with developmental disabilities, and has
been a leader in the struggle to deliver people with developmental
disabilities from the horrors of the infamous institution Willowbrook to
a safe, productive and dignified community life; and

WHEREAS, For six decades, the GEC has been instrumental in
successfully assisting families with the many challenges they face in
nurturing a child with special needs by providing services to the entire
family; and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, the GEC helps children and
adults living with developmental disabilities lead dignified and
satisfying lives, reaching their fullest potential and assisting
families in every step of their journey; and

WHEREAS, The success of the GEC is in direct correlation to the
efforts of its staff, whose involvement is, and always has been,
characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and
an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of
the organization and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this
Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the Guild for
Exceptional Children; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations 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
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Guild for Exceptional Children,
Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Guild for Exceptional Children, Inc.