Bill Text: NY J01628 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring Stephan H. Lewy upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the New York State Office for the Aging on May 21, 2019

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-30 - ADOPTED [J01628 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01628-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1628

BY: Senator RANZENHOFER

        HONORING  Stephan H. Lewy upon the occasion of his
        designation for special recognition by the New  York
        State Office for the Aging on May 21, 2019

  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  Stephan  H.
Lewy upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the
New York State Office for the Aging at its Annual Older New Yorkers' Day
Celebration  on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Hart Theatre Lounge in The
Egg, Albany, New York; 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, Born in 1925, Stephan H. Lewy grew up in  war-torn  Berlin,
Germany; after surviving Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, at
his orphanage's synagogue, he secured refuge in France, and then came to
the United States, where he was drafted into the Army; and

  WHEREAS,  As a soldier, Stephan H. Lewy returned to his home country
where he interrogated Nazis and mapped  out  enemy  positions;  he  also
fought  in the Battle of the Bulge and helped liberate the concentration
camp in Buchenwald; for his meritorious  service,  he  was  awarded  the
Bronze Star and the French Legion of Honor; and

  WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military duties, Stephan H. Lewy
returned  to  his  job  as  an office boy at a mining company in Boston,
Massachusetts; using the GI Bill, he attended night school and  finished
three  years of high school in 17 months; he then took night classes for
six years and earned his college degree  from  Northwestern  University;
and

  WHEREAS,  After  he passed the CPA exam, Stephan H. Lewy served as a
public accountant for six years; he then began his career in  the  hotel
industry,  working  for  Sheraton  Hotels  for 11 years, and then Dunfey
Hotels (now Omni) in New Hampshire;  after  more  than  two  decades  of
service, he retired in 1991, at the age of 66; and

  WHEREAS,  As  a  Holocaust  survivor,  Stephan H. Lewy has witnessed
numerous atrocities, yet he still lives by his mantra "It's important to
make a difference and change the world"; after retiring, he  decided  to

share  his  story with school children and college students, and various
groups throughout Erie County including the Senior  Services  University
Express Program; and

  WHEREAS,  Through  his  words,  Stephan  H. Lewy has taught numerous
people, both young  and  old  the  dangers  of  discrimination,  and  to
celebrate, not ridicule, everyone's differences; and

  WHEREAS,  Stephan H. Lewy's story has also been told through Lillian
Herzberg's book, A Sojourn into Freedom, and an exhibit at the Holocaust
Resource Center of Buffalo; and

  WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, the former  Frances
Silver, and their two children, Arthur and Ellen, all of whom have shown
him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and

  WHEREAS,  Rare  indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication  shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Stephan H. Lewy has displayed
throughout his life; and

  WHEREAS, Stephan H. Lewy, a very active  and  industrious  man,  has
inspired  and  enriched  the  lives  of  those  he  serves  through  his
volunteerism,  generously  sharing  the  wisdom  gained  over  years  of
experiencing life to its fullest; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Stephan H. Lewy upon the occasion of his designation  for  special
recognition  by the New York State Office for the Aging on May 21, 2019;
and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Stephan H. Lewy.