Bill Text: NY J03331 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 3331 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Congratulate Gene Russianoff - RETIRE 40+ years

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-12-28 - ADOPTED [J03331 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J03331-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 3331

BY: Senator STAVISKY

        CONGRATULATING  Gene  Russianoff upon the occasion
        of his retirement after more than  four  decades  of
        dedicated  service  to  the New York Public Interest
        Group

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body   seeks   to   acknowledge   those
individuals  whose  professional  lives  and  civic  endeavors  serve to
enhance the stature of the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, In the course of the evolving development  of  this  Empire
State,  when  the  ingredients of shared concern and responsive endeavor
combine in commitment to community, there emerge among the distinguished
citizenry of the State of New  York,  certain  individuals  who  warrant
special recognition; and

  WHEREAS,  This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Gene
Russianoff upon the occasion of his  retirement  after  more  than  four
decades  of  dedicated  service  to  the  New York Public Interest Group
(NYPIRG); and

  WHEREAS, For the past 40 years, Gene Russianoff  rendered  faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to NYPIRG; and

  WHEREAS,  After  growing  up  in  the  areas  of  Brighton Beach and
Sheepshead Bay, Gene Russianoff graduated from Brooklyn  College  before
obtaining his degree at Harvard Law School in 1978; and

  WHEREAS,  Despite  the  lucrative  career he could have enjoyed as a
graduate of Harvard Law School, Gene Russianoff has  devoted  more  than
four  decades  to  NYPIRG, the Straphangers Campaign, and protecting the
public's interest; and

  WHEREAS, As NYPIRG Senior Attorney  and  head  of  the  Straphangers
Campaign,  Gene  Russianoff  was  a  respected  leader  and advocate who
inspired and mentored hundreds of college students and NYPIRG staff; and

  WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, Gene Russianoff achieved
many things, including reforming the structure of the government of  the
City  of  New  York through the creation of a voluntary system of public
financing which is now considered a model of reform across  the  nation;
and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, he was instrumental in the establishment of an
Independent  Budget  Office, a non-partisan, independent watchdog of the
City's finances, and a voter's guide to elections; and

  WHEREAS, Gene Russianoff has been the proud  recipient  of  numerous
awards  and  accolades,  including  the  1994 Public Service Achievement
Award from the National Board of Common Cause and the 2010 Distinguished
Achievement Award from the Brooklyn College Alumni Association;  he  was
also  designated  a  Charles  H. Revson Fellow at Columbia University in
1983; and

  WHEREAS, During  his  renowned  tenure  with  the  New  York  Public
Interest  Group  (NYPIRG),  Gene Russianoff truly earned the admiration,
esteem and affection of his colleagues; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are  brought  to  our
attention,  they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
congratulate  Gene  Russianoff upon the occasion of his retirement after
more than four decades of dedicated  service  to  the  New  York  Public
Interest  Group,  and  to  wish  him continued success in all his future
endeavors; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Gene Russianoff.