Senate Resolution No. 5125

BY: Senator BRESLIN

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the Chapel +
Cultural Center

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across the great
State of New York is reflective of certain exemplary cultural centers
whose purpose is dedicated to serving students, community and the needs
of its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Chapel + Cultural Center; and

WHEREAS, The Chapel + Cultural Center (C+CC) is a multipurpose
performing arts and worship space which serves the educational,
cultural, social, and spiritual needs of the Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute (RPI), as well as the surrounding Troy and greater Capital
Region communities; and

WHEREAS, The facility is owned and operated by the Rensselaer Newman
Foundation (RNF), a nonprofit corporation chartered in 1963 by the New
York State Board of Regents to provide artistic, educational and
religious programming in the City of Troy, New York; and

WHEREAS, In addition to its secular role as a performing arts and
social center, the Chapel + Cultural Center is home to the University
Parish of Christ Sun of Justice, a Roman Catholic parish affiliated with
the Diocese of Albany, and led by Father Ed Kacerguis; and

WHEREAS, Affectionately known as Fred by many RPI students, Father
Ed Kacerguis has been serving the Diocese of Albany in the priesthood
since 1982; he is also the Treasurer of the Rensselaer Newman Foundation
and Religious Programs Coordinator for RPI; and

WHEREAS, The Chapel + Cultural Center has an acclaimed art gallery,
with exhibitions changing every eight weeks; the facility also hosts
many student-oriented parties and events throughout the year, including
a Welcome Picnic, Family Weekend Receptions, a Halloween party,
Christmas celebrations, a Mardi Gras party, various Holy Week
observances, and more; and

WHEREAS, The building is an important example of modernist
architecture that represents the best of 1960-era design and
construction practices; its design reflects modernist ideals of utility,
economy, and honesty of purpose and adornment; and

WHEREAS, The Chapel + Cultural Center truly transcends church
architecture, drawing its adornment from the people and activities it
houses in its assembly spaces and on its terraces and lawns; and

WHEREAS, On February 22, 2011, the United States Department of the
Interior recognized the Chapel + Cultural Center's architectural and

social significance by adding it to the National Registry of Historic
Places, making it the youngest structure on the registry; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor and commend
the faculty and staff, past and present, of the Chapel + Cultural Center
who have labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of
life for the students and community it serves, noting the significance
of its unremitting efforts to build a commonality of interest and pride
of cooperative achievement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Chapel + Cultural Center; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Chapel + Cultural Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute, Troy, New York.