Bill Text: NY J01227 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Mourning the death of Sandy Parker, longtime Rochester business community leader, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 43-20)

Status: (Passed) 2021-06-10 - ADOPTED [J01227 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J01227-Introduced.html

---

Senate Resolution No. 1227

BY: Senator COONEY

        MOURNING  the  death  of  Sandy  Parker,  longtime
        Rochester business community  leader,  distinguished
        citizen and devoted member of her community

  WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through  their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to better
the quality of life in our community and have had a measurable  positive
impact  on  the  lives  of  its  residents;  Sandy  Parker  was one such
individual; and

  WHEREAS, It is with  profound  sorrow  and  deep  regret  that  this
Legislative  Body  records  the  passing  of  Sandy  Parker,  noting the
significance of her purposeful life and accomplishments; and

  WHEREAS, Sandy Parker, the longtime head  of  the  former  Rochester
Business  Alliance and one of the most influential forces in the region,
died on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at the age of 75; and

  WHEREAS, A key player in forming what is now known  as  the  Greater
Rochester  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Sandy  Parker,  who  as  head  of the
nonprofit   business   organization   Industrial   Management   Council,
orchestrated  a  merger  between her group and what was then the Greater
Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce in 2002; and

  WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Sandy Parker, the  two  groups
combined  the  following  year  to form the Rochester Business Alliance,
which was later rebranded as the Greater Rochester Chamber of  Commerce;
and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  melding  the  chamber,  which promotes local
businesses, and the council, which provided human resources services and
training to area businesses, effectively  made  the  Rochester  Business
Alliance  a  stronger  advocate for the area's business community and an
influential force in  a  wide  range  of  community  matters,  including
education   policies,   publicly-financed   construction  projects,  and
skyrocketing health care costs; and

  WHEREAS,  As  President  of  the  newly  formed  Rochester  Business
Alliance, Sandy Parker was known as a facilitator and an astute diplomat
who  was  skilled  at coaching, cueing and coddling a vast collection of
Rochester businesses, from large and small manufacturers to health  care
companies,   educational   institutions,  nonprofit  organizations,  and
retailers; and

  WHEREAS, In 2006, Sandy Parker brokered another merger that saw  the
alliance absorb the nonprofit business collective, Rump Group, which was
headed  by  local  developer and entrepreneur, John "Dutch" Summers, who
she would later marry; and

  WHEREAS, Later in her tenure at  the  Rochester  Business  Alliance,
Sandy  Parker  co-founded  Unshackle  Upstate,  a  coalition of business
groups which has since been renamed Upstate  United  and  advocates  for

lower  taxes  and fewer regulations in New York to spur economic growth;
and

  WHEREAS,  In  her  capacity  as  President of the Rochester Business
Alliance, Sandy Parker served with loyalty, honor and  distinction,  and
was  renowned  for her ability to pull together different sectors of the
community,  earning  the  admiration,  esteem  and  affection   of   her
colleagues; and

  WHEREAS,  An  unsung  hero in the Greater Rochester community, Sandy
Parker contributed her  time,  resources,  and  expertise  to  countless
philanthropic  and economic development initiatives; in partnership with
her  husband,  her  contributions  to,  and  passion  for,   educational
endeavors were unmatched; and

  WHEREAS,  Countless  young minds were shaped and enhanced due to the
generosity of this truly extraordinary woman, who saw these kids through
from grammar school to their college  graduations;  she  quietly  seeded
goodness  throughout  the  Rochester  community  for decades, sitting on
dozens of boards and councils, never seeking attention  or  recognition;
and

  WHEREAS,  In  addition,  Sandy Parker was a warrior and champion for
employers in the Greater Rochester community, helping  lead  the  region
through  challenging  times;  she  was  ever  vigilant  in  ensuring the
business community was heard by local leaders and that they responded to
the needs of the local economy; and

  WHEREAS, Sandy Parker's infinite selflessness and  benevolence  will
shine  on through her family's vivid and happy memories; her insight and
strength will forever serve as a beacon of love, light and hope  to  the
countless lives she touched; and

  WHEREAS,  Armed  with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Sandy Parker leaves behind a legacy which will  long  endure
the  passage  of  time and will remain as a comforting memory to all who
were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing woman; she  will
be  deeply  missed  and  truly  merits  the  grateful  tribute  of  this
Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
mourn  the death of Sandy Parker, and to express its deepest condolences
to her family; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the family of Sandy Parker.