| ALBANY - As part of today's Law Day celebration at
the Court of Appeals, Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye and Chief Administrative
Judge Jonathan Lippman presented four court employees with Merit Performance
Awards in the categories of heroism, superior work performance, community
service and humanitarian pursuits. Also on hand to commemorate Law Day
were Lieutenant Governor Mary O. Donohue, Attorney General Eliot
L. Spitzer and New York State Bar Association President Paul Michael
Hassett.
Recipients of this year's awards include a court officer who while commuting
home on the train last year saved the life of a fellow passenger in cardiac
arrest by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation; a judges' secretary
who generously gives of her time to improve the quality of education and
increase voter participation in her community; an office worker whose professionalism
and efficiency helps bring calm and order to the often harried environment
of the Family Court where she reports; and a court officer who for the
past two decades has served as a volunteer for the local fire department
and now heads a group of 100 volunteer firefighters as chief.
Chief Judge Kaye said, "The individuals we are honoring today with this
special award have distinguished themselves by generously giving of their
time and energy to their neighbors, co-workers and the community at large.
Their selfless acts and adherence to high standards of professionalism
and excellence - throughout the workday and long after it ends - have garnered
them recognition and praise by their colleagues and the public. These four
award recipients embody the true spirit of public service and serve as
an inspiration to us all."
Judge Lippman stated, "We in the Judiciary are very proud to have among
our workforce dedicated, community-minded employees, such as today's Merit
Performance Award recipients. These four individuals have made laudable
contributions in both the workplace and their communities, setting sterling
examples of professional and civic responsibility for all of us. I am delighted
to join with the Chief Judge in presenting them this special award today."
The 2001 Merit Performance Award recipients are
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Shawn A. Fagan: Buffalo City Court; Judge's Secretary
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Jacqueline Green: Westchester County Family Court; Principal Office Assistant
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Gary V. Mazur: Nassau County District Court; Court Officer
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Mitchel S. Wallace: New York City Family Court; Court Officer
Earlier this year, a call for nominations of non-judicial Unified Court
System employees for the Merit Performance Award Program was announced
statewide. Nominations were accepted from court system employees, members
of the bar, community and civic groups, and members of the public.
Detailed descriptions of the specific contributions of the award recipients
can be obtained by calling the court system's Communications Office at
(212) 428-2500. |
