Bill Text: NY J01997 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulating Ronald A. Williams, CASAC upon the occasion of his retirement after 42 years of dedicated service to New York Therapeutic Communities, Inc.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 40-22)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-18 - ADOPTED [J01997 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01997-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1997

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

        CONGRATULATING  Ronald A. Williams, CASAC upon the
        occasion  of  his  retirement  after  42  years   of
        dedicated    service   to   New   York   Therapeutic
        Communities, Inc. on June 26, 2019

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality of life in the communities across this great  State  of  New
York  is enriched by the diligence and compassionate commitment of those
individuals whose singular purpose is the care and  welfare  of  others;
and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
congratulate  Ronald  A.  Williams,  CASAC  upon  the  occasion  of  his
retirement after 42 years of dedicated service to New  York  Therapeutic
Communities,  Inc.,  to  be  celebrated  at  a "A Special Brownstone Get
Together" held in his honor on Wednesday, June 26, 2019; and

  WHEREAS, Ronald A. Williams began his long and  esteemed  career  in
the  substance  abuse  field over 50 years ago as one of the founders of
the  Phoenix  House   organization,   where   he   held   clinical   and
administrative positions, including facility and regional directorships;
in  addition,  he developed the Su Casa residential program at the Lower
Eastside Service Center; and

  WHEREAS, In these roles, Ronald A. Williams served as an  expert  in
demand  reduction  and as a technical assistance advisor and trainer for
the United States Department of State; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1977,  Ronald  A.  Williams   established   New   York
Therapeutic  Communities (NYTC) Inc., a not-for-profit corporation which
provides substance abuse treatment and  other  services  to  persons  in
need;  since  its inception, it has strived to help program participants
effect those changes in attitude and behavior which will enable them  to
make choices associated with a healthy, positive lifestyle free of crime
and drugs; and

  WHEREAS,  Under  the  luminous leadership of President/CEO Ronald A.
Williams, New York Therapeutic Communities has  implemented  the  Stay'n
Out  initiative  which provides global and local training, advocacy, and
the  development  of  innovative  programs  providing  substance   abuse
treatment  and  complementary  human services to enhance the life of the
community; for over 30 years, Stay'n Out  has  served  male  and  female
inmates of the New York State Department of Corrections; and

  WHEREAS,  Ronald  A.  Williams also created the Stay'n Out Lone Star
Program which treated inmates at  a  maximum  correctional  facility  in
Amarillo,   Texas,  and  implemented  the  Serendipity  community  based
Therapeutic Communities for  criminal  justice  clients  returning  from
incarceration and also as an alternative to incarceration; and

  WHEREAS,  Moreover, NYTC, Inc. has operated unique on-site treatment
programs for the New York City Department of Probation, and has assisted

in the implementation of in-prison treatment programs in 32  states  and
several  foreign  countries,  including  Malaysia,  Thailand,  Colombia,
Argentina, and Italy; and

  WHEREAS,  Ronald  A.  Williams  has  served  as  Vice  President  of
Therapeutic Communities of America, and was the Chair  of  its  Criminal
Justice  Task  Force  of  that association; in this capacity, he led the
successful effort to develop and implement accreditation  standards  for
in-prison  therapeutic  communities  through  the  American Correctional
Association; and

  WHEREAS, Ronald A. Williams was a member of both the  Board  of  the
renowned  Fortune  Society and EXPONENTS Inc.; today, he participates on
the board of the New York State Association of Alcoholism and  Substance
Abuse  Providers,  and serves as executive liaison to the United Nations
for the World Federation of Therapeutic Communities; and

  WHEREAS,  For  his  steadfast  and  unremitting  commitment  to  his
profession, Ronald A. Williams has been the recipient of numerous awards
and   accolades  including  commendation  by  the  New  York  State  Bar
Association for outstanding contributions to the Rule  of  Law  and  the
Administration of Justice, the Award for Excellence in Public Service by
St.    Bonaventure  College, and the Governors Lifetime Service Award by
New York State; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative  Body  that  those  who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained  commitment  to  the  maintenance  of  high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and  applause  of  all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate  Ronald  A.  Williams,  CASAC  upon  the  occasion  of  his
retirement  after  42 years of dedicated service to New York Therapeutic
Communities, Inc., and to wish him continued success in all  his  future
endeavors; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Ronald A. Williams.