SERINO PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON NEW YORK’S SENIORS

ALBANY, NY—Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) announced today that her resolution proclaiming May 10, 2016 as ‘Senior Citizen’s Day’ in the State of New York passed in the Senate.

Serino, who Chairs the Senate’s Aging Committee, joined representatives from the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), Steven Cymbrowitz Chair of the Assembly’s Committee on Aging, and over 100 senor citizens from across the state at a celebration in Albany. The seniors in attendance were selected by their local offices for the aging to be honored for their commitment to their communities and their dedication to service and volunteerism.

“Our seniors have spent their lives building the state we know and love and today I am thrilled to be able to put the spotlight on them by recognizing May 10^th, as Senior Citizens Day here in New York,” said Serino. “I am in absolute awe of all that these seniors have accomplished in their local communities and beyond and I am not only honored to have the opportunity to recognize them, I am truly humbled. By recognizing their good work and raising awareness for all that they do, we hope to inspire countless others within and beyond their communities.”

The seniors were honored on the floor of the Senate by Serino and a number of her Senate colleagues.

Senator Serino recognized two members of her local community, George D’Alessandro of Carmel and R. Murray Suggitt of Wappinger Falls.

At 87 years young, D’Alessandro is a Senior Fitness Volunteer Instructor at two Senior Friendship Centers. George and his family have resided in Putnam County since 1945 and from 1948-53 D’Alessandro served in the Korean War as a member of the United States Navy. Following his service, D’Alessandro went on to become a Civil Engineer for the County and then a parochial school physical education instructor. You may recognize his name as he became a known sports writer for the local papers, something he continues to do.

Mr. Suggitt, while unable to attend the celebration in Albany, was recognized by Serino and the Senate as New York’s ‘Senior of the Year’ for his his steadfast dedication to the Fishkill Food Pantry.

Serino said, “For over 20 years, and with little fanfare, Mr. Suggitt has overseen the growth of a food pantry that started in a basement and has evolved into an operation of 40 staff members who work to ensure that those in need have a place that they can count on to turn to. He is a beloved figure in the local community and I was honored to have the opportunity to recognize him for all that he has accomplished.”

Mr. Suggitt has worked as the unpaid director of the Fishkill Food Pantry since his retirement from Texaco over two decades ago. After being present at the Pantry daily, with his 90^th birthday just around the corner, Mr. Suggitt will pass down the directorship to those who have been inspired by his leadership.

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