Senate Resolution No. 96

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of the Carlyle Adams
Ecumenical and Interfaith Award by the Capital Area
Council of Churches on September 15, 2016

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

WHEREAS, Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen has given not only of his time and
energies but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently has been designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Rabbi Scott
L. Shpeen upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Carlyle Adams Ecumenical and Interfaith Award by the Capital Area
Council of Churches, to be celebrated at its Annual Dinner on Thursday,
September 15, 2016, at the Albany Country Club, Voorheesville, New York;
and

WHEREAS, The Capital Area Council of Churches, a fellowship of more
than 90 faith communities in the Capital District, provides a wide range
of services and programs dedicated to bringing congregations together in
solidarity to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and provide
ecumenical and interreligious education, advocacy and worship; and

WHEREAS, The Carlyle Adams Ecumenical and Interfaith Award is
presented to an individual who has worked to bring the message of
ecumenical or interfaith unity to his or her congregation and the wider
community through activism and participation in programs which exhibit
the inclusive spirit of the late Dr. Carlyle Adams; and

WHEREAS, A native of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and a product of the
Reform Movement, Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen has served Congregation Beth
Emeth in Albany, New York, since 1985; in July of 1992, he assumed the
position of Senior Rabbi of the Congregation; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen was awarded a Bachelor of
Arts degree in Judaic Studies from the University of Michigan; four
years later, he received a Master's degree in Hebrew Letters from the
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in
Cincinnati, Ohio; during his first year, he studied at its campus in
Jerusalem; and

WHEREAS, Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen was ordained in June of 1984, and in
1988, he completed the St. Peter's Hospital Program, in Albany, New
York, in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE); and

WHEREAS, In May of 2009, in recognition of his 25th Anniversary of
rabbinic ordination, Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen was awarded an honorary
Doctor of Divinity degree from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute
of Religion; he currently serves on the HUC-JIR President's Rabbinic
Council; and


WHEREAS, Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen has been called upon to contribute
his time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of himself unstintingly; and

WHEREAS, Locally, Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen serves on the Board of the
Albany Symphony Orchestra and chairs its Committee on Institutional
Advancement; he also serves on the Advisory Committee of the Capital
District Senior Issues Forum Lifetime Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen has been an Adjunct
Professor at the College of St. Rose in Albany, New York, teaching a
course on the Holocaust, and he participates as a regular commentator on
WMHT Public Television; and

WHEREAS, In May of 2006, Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen was appointed by
Albany Mayor Gerald Jennings to serve on the Albany Human Rights
Commission; he also served for two terms as Past President of the
Capital District Board of Rabbis; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his two children, one
grandchild, and his late wife, Susan Balan, all of whom feel privileged
to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen has
displayed throughout his life; 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 Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Carlyle Adams Ecumenical and Interfaith Award by the
Capital Area Council of Churches on September 15, 2016; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen.