Assembly Resolution No. 607

BY: M. of A. Heastie

        HONORING the hard work, dedication, and commitment
        of  the  members  of  the New York State Legislative
        Messenger Service

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  to  honor
individuals  who have faithfully served the people and the government of
the State of New York with dedication and conscientious service; and

  WHEREAS, The  New  York  State  Legislative  Messenger  Service  was
founded  in  1973 as an avenue to provide job training and opportunities
to individuals with a disability; emphasis is  placed  on  understanding
and  amplifying  an  individual's  strengths  while  providing  support,
training  and  structure  to  lessen  any  barriers  created  by   their
disability; and

  WHEREAS,  This  outstanding  service  plays a very important role in
expediting the work of the New York State Legislature; and

  WHEREAS,  There  are  currently  24  employees  of  the  Legislative
Messenger  Service,  as  well  as  one participant in the Apprenticeship
Program which was implemented in 2012, and targets  individuals  with  a
disability  who  are  transitioning  from  a school to work setting; the
staff take great pride in their  work,  are  eager  to  learn,  and  are
extremely dedicated; and

  WHEREAS,  The Legislative Messenger Service provides a communication
network throughout the Empire State Plaza and neighboring buildings  for
New York State Senate and Assembly offices; currently delivering to over
350  offices,  on  a  busy day, more than 300 delivers can be common and
Messengers often walk several miles a day; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, most deliveries  are  completed  in  under  30
minutes with all packages being tracked for accuracy; and

  WHEREAS,  In  addition to delivering packages, these vital employees
of the Legislative  Messenger  Service  answer  phones,  coordinate  the
delivery of packages, provide quality control, and act as ambassadors to
both the Senate and Assembly; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body  is justly proud to honor the hard
work, dedication and commitment of the members of  the  New  York  State
Legislative Messenger Service; and

  WHEREAS,  For five decades, the New York State Legislative Messenger
Service, located  in  the  Legislative  Office  Building,  has  provided
steadfast  and  unwavering  support for countless offices throughout the
Empire State Plaza  and  neighboring  state  buildings  for  Senate  and
Assembly legislators and their staffs; and

  WHEREAS,  The  dedicated  members  of the New York State Legislative
Messenger  Service  can  always  be  relied  on  to  provide  swift  and
dependable service; and

  WHEREAS,  Under  the  able leadership of Kevin Kather, Director, and
Beth Bonesteel, Assistant Director, the members of the  New  York  State
Legislative  Messenger Service, whom we see hurrying about their rounds,
include: Brian Abreu, Greta Amodeo, Edward Blackman IV,  Marquez  Burns,
Michael  Cohen,  William  Crowe,  Michelle  Daly, Adam Denenberg, Sharon
Forkeutis, Marcus Gagnon, Katherine Griffin, Tiek Hardy, Kimberly  Lapp,
Kathy  O'Brien, Patrick O'Hara, Kadija Oliver, Kathleen Schleich, Mollie
Shook, Kellsey Wickham, and Valerie Zeh, as  well  as  Apprentice,  Noah
McDonald; and

  WHEREAS,  This Legislative Body is pleased to recognize and pay just
tribute to the members of  the  New  York  State  Legislative  Messenger
Service,  individuals who embody the true American spirit, demonstrating
personal determination and significantly contributing to the workings of
the New York State Legislature; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
honor the hard work, dedication and commitment of the members of the New
York State Legislative Messenger Service; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members of the New York State  Legislative  Messenger
Service, and the aforementioned apprentice.