Bill Text: NY J00078 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring James J. Barba upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Baby Institute on February 21, 2019

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-01-15 - ADOPTED [J00078 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J00078-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 78

BY: Senator BRESLIN

        HONORING  James  J. Barba upon the occasion of his
        designation for  special  recognition  by  the  Baby
        Institute on February 21, 2019

  WHEREAS,  The  unity  of  our  State  and  Nation  is built upon the
compassion of individuals such as James J. Barba who uphold  the  values
of  community  life  and who, through their great actions, epitomize the
best of humanity; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud  to  honor  James  J.
Barba  upon  the  occasion of his designation for special recognition by
the Baby Institute at its  Inaugural  Awards  Celebration  on  Thursday,
February 21, 2019, at The Renaissance Hotel, Albany, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Founded  in  2010,  the  Baby  Institute  is  a grassroots
organization which focuses on children  and  parents  in  Albany's  most
underserved neighborhoods - Arbor Hill, West Hill and the South End; its
mission  is  to increase the number of children entering school ready to
learn by increasing their literacy and language skills; and

  WHEREAS, James J. Barba will  be  recognized  with  this  auspicious
award for his vision and commitment to the local community; and

  WHEREAS,  As  President  and  CEO of Albany Medical Center, James J.
Barba recently directed the most ambitious expansion of the  institution
since its founding in 1839, and the largest such project in the region's
history;  this  eight-year project is transforming the New Scotland-Park
South neighborhood where the Center stands; and

  WHEREAS, Renowned in the  arena  of  health  care  and  health  care
reform,  James  J.  Barba has served on numerous special commissions and
councils by gubernatorial appointment and at the request of  his  peers,
including  the  Board of Directors of the Health Care Association of New
York State, with which he worked to re-design the  Medicaid  program  to
make it more efficient and effective; and

  WHEREAS,  James  J. Barba was also Chair of the Board of Trustees of
the Trudeau Institute, a biomedical  research  organization  in  Saranac
Lake; he also served as Chair of the state's Special Advisory Commission
to   Restore   Empire  Blue  Cross/Blue  Shield,  the  nation's  largest
not-for-profit health care insurer; and

  WHEREAS,  With  a  steadfast  and  unwavering  commitment   to   his
community,  James  J.  Barba  has served on the boards of numerous local
regional economic development organizations, including  the  Center  for
Economic Growth and the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce; and

  WHEREAS,  In 2011, James J. Barba was named by Governor Andrew Cuomo
to the Capital Region Regional Economic Development Council, one  of  10
across  the  state,  charged  with  creating  a  new  model to stimulate
economic development and create jobs in the region; he currently  serves
as the council's Co-Chair; and

  WHEREAS,  In  addition,  he serves on the Board of Directors of Park
Playhouse,  a  free  summer   theater   in   Albany   Medical   Center's
neighborhood; and

  WHEREAS,  James  J.  Barba  has been the proud recipient of numerous
awards  and  accolades  over  the  years,  including  his  most   recent
recognition  as  a  Citizen Laureate by the University at Albany for his
transformational and progressive leadership; and

  WHEREAS, A frequent lecturer and author on health  care  topics  and
health  care  policy,  James J. Barba was formerly senior counsel to the
Albany law firm of Hiscock & Barclay and is a graduate,  cum  laude,  of
the  University  of  Notre  Dame  Law  School, and a graduate, summa cum
laude, of Siena College, from which he also holds an honorary doctorate;
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
James J. Barba, 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  James  J.  Barba upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Baby Institute  on  February  21,  2019;  and  be  it
further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to James J. Barba.