Bill Text: NY J01022 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring Joan Fuller Degener upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the New York State Office for the Aging in May of 2021

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-06-08 - ADOPTED [J01022 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J01022-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1022

BY: Senator STEC

        HONORING  Joan Fuller Degener upon the occasion of
        her designation for special recognition by  the  New
        York State Office for the Aging in May of 2021

  WHEREAS,  Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play  in  today's  society;  their
past  contributions  and  future  participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Joan  Fuller
Degener  upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by
the New York State Office for the Aging in May of 2021; and

  WHEREAS, Each May, the New York State Office for the Aging pauses to
acknowledge the outstanding contributions made by older citizens  during
National Older Americans Month; and

  WHEREAS,  Members  of  older generations have helped build and shape
our Nation to be the greatest in  the  world;  they  have  defended  our
freedoms  and  values  to ensure that those who come after them may have
better lives; nowhere in the Nation is the legacy of their efforts  more
visible  and  more  a part of the lives of all citizens than here in the
State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, Joan Fuller Degener has  continually  demonstrated  extreme
competence,  extraordinary  intelligence  and diligent leadership in her
unwavering service to her community and, consequently, has been selected
for this most prestigious honor; and

  WHEREAS, Joan Fuller  Degener  grew  up  on  a  dairy  farm  in  the
beautiful  valley  of  Welch  Hollow,  in  Fort  Ann, New York, with her
parents, Samuel and Marion  (Rathbun)  Fuller,  two  sisters,  Jean  and
Helen, and one brother, Harold; and

  WHEREAS,  A  1963  graduate  of Fort Ann Central School, Joan Fuller
Degener went on to pursue a  teaching  degree  at  Adirondack  Community
College  and Castleton University before completing her graduate work at
SUNY Plattsburgh; and

  WHEREAS, Upon the completion of her  studies,  Joan  Fuller  Degener
spent  her  illustrious  34-year  career  as  an accomplished teacher of
elementary students; and

  WHEREAS, A true asset to her community, Joan Fuller Degener is  very
active  in  the  West  Fort Ann United Methodist Church and serves as an
advocate and guardian for  two  sisters  from  her  childhood  who  have
disabilities and no family to take care of them; and

  WHEREAS,   With   a  steadfast  and  unwavering  commitment  to  her
community, Joan Fuller Degener is the founding member of  the  Fort  Ann
Historical  Society;  she  helped  to  research and write, Fort Ann: 300
Years Of History; she was also an active member of the Queen Anne Senior

Citizens, and frequently takes trips with the Traveling Cardinals or The
Old Stone House Library; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  this  extraordinary  woman  volunteers  with
programs for preschoolers and leads programs for elementary students  at
Fort Ann Central, introducing them to the library; and

  WHEREAS,  As  a  volunteer at Haynes House Of Hope in Granville, New
York, a home for hospice patients, Joan Fuller  Degener  gives  patients
much  needed  emotional  and  physical  support;  in  addition, she is a
charter member and first president of the West  Fort  Ann  Fire  Company
Ladies' Auxiliary; and

  WHEREAS,  A  lifelong  resident  of  Fort Ann, New York, Joan Fuller
Degener continues to reside in the home she built with her husband which
is nestled in the woods, surrounded by beauty and wildlife; and

  WHEREAS, Joan Fuller Degener is the proud mother  of  two  children,
Michelle  and  David,  and  the loving grandmother of her granddaughter,
Shaye; and

  WHEREAS, For many years, Joan Fuller Degener was an assistant leader
for Girl Scout Troop 3267,  the  highlight  of  which  was  guiding  her
granddaughter  to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, the first girl in Fort
Ann to earn this prestigious award; and

  WHEREAS,  Rare  indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication   shown   by
individuals  for  the  benefit  of  others which Joan Fuller Degener has
displayed throughout her life; and

  WHEREAS, Joan Fuller Degener has enriched the lives of  her  family,
friends  and  colleagues  through  her  love and respect for others, and
through the wisdom which comes from many years of  living  life  to  the
fullest; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Joan Fuller Degener upon  the  occasion  of  her  designation  for
special  recognition  by the New York State Office for the Aging; and be
it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Joan Fuller Degener.