Senate Resolution No. 3262
BY: Senator BRESLIN
COMMENDING Richard McGrath upon the occasion of
his selection to represent the Capital Region in the
national Jefferson Awards competition in a virtual
event to be conducted in September of 2020
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge outstanding individuals within our midst who
have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons and
organizations that provide exemplary service, whether through
participation in voluntary programs or simply through a lifetime of good
citizenship; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Richard
McGrath upon the occasion of his selection to represent the Capital
Region in the national Jefferson Awards competition in a virtual event
to be conducted in September of 2020; and
WHEREAS, The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition
program which honors community and public service throughout the United
States; and
WHEREAS, In 1972, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, United States Senator
Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard, Chairman of the National Development
Council, founded the American Institute for Public Service to establish
a "Nobel Prize" for public and community service on both the national
and local level, the Jefferson Awards; and
WHEREAS, The Jefferson Awards, whose stated mission is "to
recognize, inspire and activate volunteerism and public service in
communities, workplaces and schools across America," serve as a "Call to
Action for Volunteers"; and
WHEREAS, On the local level, Jefferson Awards recipients are
ordinary people who do extraordinary things without expectation of
recognition or reward, while national award recipients represent a
"Who's Who" of outstanding Americans; and
WHEREAS, Richard McGrath of Delmar, New York, volunteers at the
Albany Field Office of the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants,
where he aids refugees and immigrants by driving families to medical
appointments, tutoring those trying to learn English, and giving driving
lessons; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, this impressive man picks up donated furniture
and other household goods which he transports to families in need; and
WHEREAS, A man of sincere dedication, Richard McGrath is known to
take out his banjo and entertain refugee families with their first-ever
banjo concert, an event which produces big smiles on the faces of young
and old alike; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend them for the edification
and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Richard McGrath upon the occasion of his selection to represent
the Capital Region in the national Jefferson Awards competition, noting
his exemplary service to his community and extending to him heartfelt
best wishes for a future of continued purposeful success and well-being;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Richard McGrath.
