Senate Resolution No. 486

BY: Senator GRIFFO

        COMMEMORATING   the   75th   Anniversary   of  the
        Oneida-Herkimer-Madison   Board    of    Cooperative
        Educational Services

  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations which are committed to enhancing  the
quality  of  education  in  the  State of New York, and which enable our
schools to offer excellent educational programs in  the  most  efficient
manner; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commemorate  the  75th  Anniversary of the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison (OHM)
Board of Cooperative Educational Services; and

  WHEREAS, A now vital educational organization to the Mohawk  Valley,
OHM BOCES was one of the first four Chapters established by the New York
State  Legislature  in  1948,  under  section 1950 of the New York State
Education Law; and

  WHEREAS, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)  are  an
integral   component  of  New  York  State's  public  education  system,
providing special  education  services  to  more  than  16,000  students
annually, as well as career and technical education opportunities; and

  WHEREAS,  Since  its  inception, the OHM BOCES programs and services
have been unparalleled  in  meeting  the  unique  needs  of  New  York's
students, school districts, business, and industry; and

  WHEREAS,  Leaders  in  innovation, BOCES funds efforts toward equity
and inclusion,  supporting  professional  learning  for  educators,  and
developing  new  programs and services to meet the changing needs of the
state's students and businesses; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, this vital organization provides  professional
development  to countless educators each year, serving as a link between
local schools and the State Education Department; and

  WHEREAS, A partner to both industry and higher education,  New  York
BOCES   chapters   collaborate   with   more  than  2,000  colleges  and
universities, giving students the opportunity to further their education
at the post-secondary level; and

  WHEREAS, In addition, each year, over 20,000 New Yorkers earn  their
high  school  equivalency  and  study  English as a second language with
BOCES services and programs; and

  WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, OHM BOCES may
look back with pride upon its humble beginnings, find just  satisfaction
in  its purposeful growth, and hold true of purpose in its commitment to
serving the educational needs of the citizens of the State of New  York;
now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison Board of
Cooperative Educational Services, noting the propriety of its goals, the
constancy of its commitment and the significance of its  accomplishments
in  preparing  the  youth  of  today  and leaders of tomorrow; and be it
further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational
Services (BOCES).