J 942: Mourning the death of James C. O'Neal, AARP New York State President, on April 9, 2025

 Senate Resolution No. 942 BY: Senator CLEARE MOURNING the death of James C. O'Neal, AARP New York State President, on April 9, 2025 WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and extol those individuals who dedicated their lives to the betterment of their communities and represented the interests of the communities through years of public service; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor the life of service of James C. O'Neal, AARP New York State President, who died on Wednesday, April 9, 2025; and WHEREAS, James C. O'Neal, of Harlem, New York, earned his Bachelor of Arts from Franklin & Marshall College and Master of Arts from New York University; and WHEREAS, James C. O'Neal possessed a comprehensive knowledge of aging and health care that strengthened AARP New York; he was dedicated to making New York State healthier, more livable, and more affordable for its citizens to live and age; he lead Volunteer Executive Council Advising AARP's New York State Office; and WHEREAS, An independent consultant on older adult issues, James C. O'Neal spent more than a decade in the community healthcare industry, working with Oxford Health Plans, the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, and Beth Abraham's CenterLight Healthcare, where he held the position of Director of Community Outreach until his retirement in January 2015; and WHEREAS, James C. O'Neal's past appointments include advisory and leadership roles with the Adult Immunization Coalition of the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene of New York City and the United States Department of Housing and Development-sponsored "Healthy Homes, Healthy Seniors" Community Study; and WHEREAS, In 2016, James C. O'Neal was appointed Member of the governor's Advisory Committee for the Aging, and since 2018, he served as United Nations Representative for the International Federation on Ageing; and WHEREAS, James C. O'Neal served as Board Member of the State Society on Aging of New York, Neighborhood SHOPP (senior centers and services), and the Washington Heights/Inwood Interagency Council on Aging, and he was President of the Bronx Interagency Council on Aging (BRICA); and WHEREAS, As an expert on aging and dedicated community healthcare advocate, James C. O'Neal was appointed as State President of AARP New York; in this position, he chaired the AARP New York Executive Council, a select leadership group of AARP New York members, with an outstanding record of service and a commitment to the goals of the Association; and WHEREAS, As State President, James C. O'Neal helped shape AARP New York's strategic priorities, build community partnerships with key decision makers, and serve as volunteer spokesperson for the organization; and WHEREAS, James C. O'Neal's legacy is one of compassion, excellence, and dedication to his profession; he was committed to the betterment of the AARP New York community, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body proudly honors the life of James C. O'Neal and his memory; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of James C. O'Neal.