Bill Text: NY J00037 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring John P. Ward upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Senior Lifetime Achievement Award by the Capital District Senior Issues Forum

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-01-15 - ADOPTED [J00037 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J00037-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 37

BY: Senator BRESLIN

        HONORING  John  P.  Ward  upon the occasion of his
        designation as  recipient  of  the  Senior  Lifetime
        Achievement  Award  by  the  Capital District Senior
        Issues Forum on October 10, 2018

  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
John P. Ward upon the occasion of his designation as  recipient  of  the
Senior  Lifetime Achievement Award by the Capital District Senior Issues
Forum to be celebrated at its 19th Annual  Senior  Lifetime  Achievement
Award  Ceremony  on  Wednesday,  October  10, 2018, at Congregation Beth
Emeth in Albany, New York; and

  WHEREAS, The Capital District Senior Issues  Forum  is  a  voluntary
initiative  among faith communities, organizations and individuals which
provides support for seniors in the capital district  through  education
and dialogue; and

  WHEREAS,  Since  1998, this vital organization has focused on senior
housing issues by bringing  together  caregivers,  faith  organizations,
government  officials,  housing  facilities,  administrators and seniors
themselves; and

  WHEREAS, For the past 19 years, the Capital District  Senior  Issues
Forum  has  honored  hundreds  of senior citizens over the age of 85 for
their lifetime achievements; and

  WHEREAS, John P. Ward is being recognized as an extraordinary senior
for his tireless efforts in making a difference in the lives  of  others
and for giving selflessly in community service; and

  WHEREAS,  John  Paul  Ward was born to Frank A. and Martha (Schmidt)
Ward on October 13, 1928, in Albany, New York; however, he was raised in
Glens Falls, New York, where  he  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  1st
Presbyterian  Church;  for  10  years,  he  enjoyed singing in its youth
choir; and

  WHEREAS, When John P. Ward was only 12, his father passed away,  and
his  mother  supported the family by working at a retail clothing store;
and

  WHEREAS, After graduating from Glens Falls High School in 1946, John
P. Ward enlisted in the United States Marine  Corps,  where  he  proudly
served  his country for three years as a member of the Marine Detachment
on the aircraft carrier "USS Midway CV-41," assigned to the 6th Fleet in
the Mediterranean; and

  WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, John  P.  Ward
took  advantage  of  the  World  War  II  GI  Bill,  and earned both his
bachelor's and master's degrees in  history  from  the  New  York  State
College  for  Teachers  at  Albany;  for many years, he taught at middle
schools in Glens Falls and Castleton, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1958,  John  P. Ward was named Community Ambassador to
Nigeria, West Africa, and subsequently, he spent the summer living  with
a  Nigerian  family;  using his experiences, he implemented an Accent on
Africa program for the entire school system; two years later, he and his
wife, Doris, accepted positions at the Lagos, Nigeria  Anglican  Grammar
School, a boys' high school where they taught for two years; and

  WHEREAS,  Upon  his  return  to  the United States, John P. Ward was
hired as an Assistant Professor for the University at Albany;  in  1971,
he  obtained  his  PhD in African History from Boston University and was
appointed Director of International Students and Assistant Professor  of
African History; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1979, John P. Ward was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship
to study in Germany; years later,  he  returned  to  the  University  at
Albany  where  he  received  the  1984 University Award of Excellence in
Professional  Service  for  his  untiring  work   on   behalf   of   the
international students; and

  WHEREAS,  John  P. Ward retired in 1985, and became an active member
of his community; he served on the Friends' boards  of  the  Guilderland
and  UA  Libraries,  and  volunteered for 17 years at the New York State
Museum as a History Assistant; in this capacity, he cataloged  thousands
of  documents  and  completed various research projects; in addition, he
and his wife attended over 600 Elderhostel programs in the United States
and overseas; and

  WHEREAS, In 2004, John P. Ward and  his  wife  moved  to  the  Avila
Senior  Living  Center, and together, the couple quickly became involved
in  many  activities  such  as  the  dining,  library  and   hospitality
committees;  he  also  helped  organize  the  Avila  Book  Club  and the
Protestant Avila group; and

  WHEREAS, Rare indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication  shown  by  an
individual  for  the  benefit of others which John P. Ward 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 John P. Ward upon the occasion of his designation as recipient  of
the  Senior  Lifetime  Achievement  Award by the Capital District Senior
Issues Forum on October 10, 2018; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to John P. Ward.