Bill Text: NY K00543 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Honoring Harvey Weisenberg upon the occasion of special recognition for his tenacious advocacy for people with developmental disabilities and public service

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 68-30)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-11 - adopted [K00543 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-K00543-Introduced.html

Assembly Resolution No. 543

BY: M. of A. Miller ML

        HONORING  Harvey  Weisenberg  upon the occasion of
        special recognition for his tenacious  advocacy  for
        people  with  developmental  disabilities and public
        service on June 12, 2019

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud  to  observe  milestones  of
prominent public servants of indomitable faith and dedication whose life
and  countless  accomplishments  will  forever  stand  as a paradigm and
inspiration for others; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
former  New  York  State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg for his tenacious
advocacy for people with developmental disabilities, for 25 years  as  a
State  Assemblyman, and for more than 60 years of public service on June
12, 2019; and

  WHEREAS, A  lifelong  resident  of  Long  Beach,  Harvey  Weisenberg
graduated  from Long Beach High School in 1952, before attending Niagara
University on a  basketball  scholarship;  he  received  a  Bachelor  of
Science  degree  from New York University in 1958, and earned his Master
of Science degree from Hofstra University; he also holds a  professional
diploma in administration from C.W. Post University; and

  WHEREAS, Elected in 1976, Harvey Weisenberg served on the Long Beach
City  Council  for 13 years and served as President of that body in 1977
and 1980; and

  WHEREAS, He has also been a lifeguard, coach, a City of  Long  Beach
police   officer,   restaurant  owner,  special  education  teacher  and
elementary school assistant principal; today, he remains an educator  at
heart; and

  WHEREAS,  Elected  to  the  Assembly  on  February  14, 1989, Harvey
Weisenberg chaired the Assembly's Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
until January of 2001, when he was appointed as Deputy Majority Whip  of
the  Assembly,  and  in  2003,  was  appointed  as Assistant Speaker Pro
Tempore; and

  WHEREAS,  Throughout  his  illustrious  legislative  career,  Harvey
Weisenberg  was  a staunch advocate for people with disabilities; he was
successful in removing barriers, improving  access,  and  enhancing  the
quality  of  life  for  all with physical and mental challenges; he also
secured  significant  funds  which  benefitted  numerous  agencies   and
organizations within his district that worked with and provided services
to adults and children with physical and mental disabilities; and

  WHEREAS,  Because  of  his  extraordinary  vision and determination,
Harvey Weisenberg was able  to  obtain  funding  to  build  housing  for
medically  fragile  children on Long Island; he was also instrumental in
making the innovative Surfers Healing program a huge success,  an  event
in  Long  Beach  where  children  with  autism,  accompanied  by trained
surfers, experience the thrill and freedom of riding the waves; and


  WHEREAS,  Throughout  his  renowned  career  as  a  prominent public
servant, Harvey Weisenberg has been the  proud  recipient  of  countless
awards  and  accolades  because of his ceaseless dedication to improving
the lives of others; and

  WHEREAS, Most recently, Harvey Weisenberg published a book about his
life experiences titled, For the Love of a Child: My Life, My City &  My
Mission,  inspired  by the great love of his life, Ellen, his late wife,
and their son, Ricky; and

  WHEREAS, In addition to Ellen and Ricky, with  him  throughout  have
been  his other four children, Vicki, Russell (Marilyn), Julie (Donald),
and Gregg (Sogdianna), as well as his six grandchildren, Michael, Danny,
Jackie, Brock, Max, and Zac, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of
his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

  WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this  Legislative  Body
to  honor  and  support  those  individuals  who  have  displayed  their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the  intent
of  this  Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to
Harvey Weisenberg, that future generations may know and  appreciate  his
admirable  character,  his  many  benevolent  deeds, and the respect and
esteem in which he is held by his peers; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
honor  Harvey  Weisenberg, the man, the father, the friend, whose spirit
of service to others has demonstrated  an  unparalleled  devotion  which
built  bridges of hope for those who seek human dignity and a productive
role in society; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Harvey Weisenberg.
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