Senate Resolution No. 206

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Mary S. O'Connell upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the Father Frank
O'Connor Award by Family Promise of the Capital
Region

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Mary S. O'Connell upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Father Frank O'Connor Award by Family Promise of the Capital Region
to be celebrated at its 4th Annual Doors to the Future event on
Thursday, October 18, 2018, at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, in
Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Now in its fourth year, Family Promise of the Capital
Region (FPCR) has extended overnight hospitality to 27 families in the
Capital Region, offering them the individualized, community-based,
wraparound support needed to secure affordable housing and sustainable
employment; this valuable organization has also provided assistance to
numerous families who were on the verge of homelessness; and

WHEREAS, Mary S. O'Connell retired in 2015 from AHC, where she
assisted clients in determining their eligibility for Medicaid and
Social Security; the agency serviced the Northeastern and Western
regions of New York State, including 25 hospitals; and

WHEREAS, When FPCR opened its doors in April of 2015, Mary S.
O'Connell donated all of her personal office furniture and supplies to
the Family Promise Day Center; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Mary S. O'Connell offered her expertise and
experience as a client advocate, accompanying many Family Promise guests
to their appointments with the Department of Social Services (DSS) in
Albany, Schenectady, and Rensselaer Counties; and

WHEREAS, Mary S. O'Connell has assisted many guest families in
completing 20 plus page applications required by DSS to obtain temporary
assistance and SNAP benefits (food stamps); and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary woman is a regular weekend volunteer at
the Family Promise Day Center and an overnight volunteer at many Family
Promise host sites; she is a dedicated volunteer whose knowledge,
experience, and compassion for the guests has been instrumental to the
success of Family Promise and to the families it serves; and

WHEREAS, Mary S. O'Connell and her beautiful Old English bulldog,
Stella, reside in Albany where she and her husband, Edward, raised three
children, Sean, Seanan, and Brendan; she is also the proud grandmother

of Katelyn and Madeline, and the loving daughter of Wynne Sheehan, who
turned 101 this year; and

WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons who
provide exemplary service, whether through participation in voluntary
programs, through unique personal achievement in their profession or
simply through a lifetime of good citizenship; 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 Mary S. O'Connell upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Father Frank O'Connor Award by Family Promise of the
Capital Region; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Mary S. O'Connell.