Text of the Citation by Governor George E. Pataki
Honoring the New York State Society of Opticians

State of New York

Executive Chamber

Citation

Whereas, the Empire State places the highest priority on providing quality healthcare for all our citizens and values professionals who advance this goal, including the many who preserve and protect one of our most precious senses--our eyesight--through their work in various areas related to vison care; and

Whereas, licensed opticians are a vital component of the vision care industry and who have a role in the advancement of good eyesight through their work in ophthalmic dispensing, and providing effective advocacy and support for this community of professionals is the New York State Society of Opticians, Inc., which this year marls its 70th anniversary; and

Whereas, it was in 1936 that a group of ten opticians from across New York State first gathered to form a guild in order to promote shared interests and concerns common to members of the greater profession they represented, and the guild became the New York State Society of Dispensing Opticians, Inc., and in 1972 was renamed the Ophthalmic Dispensing Society of New York State, Inc., and finally in 1980, became the New York State Society of Opticians.; and

Whereas, the history of the profession is founded upon a dedication to the cause of good eyesight and many of its honorable members have furthermore shown a great sense of patriotism in serving their state and nation in the armed forces during times of combat, caring for the proper vision of servicemen and servicewomen in World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf campaigns; and

Whereas, throughout the 1950s-1970s, the New York State Society of Opticians continued to raise public awareness of the importance of good eyesight and vision care, and the related role of ophthalmic dispensers in the vision care industry and, in 1997, the Society became an approved provider of New York State Continuing Education by the Office of Professions, New York State Education Department, in order to better serve ophthalmic dispensing professionals statewide; and

Whereas, from over 1,200 members, volunteers from the New York State Society of Opticians, Inc. proudly serve as members of the New York State Board for Ophthalmic Dispensing, faculty members and advisors to all four of New York State's Schools for Ophthalmic Dispensing, and as board members and volunteers for such vision charities as the Lions Eye Banks and Associations for the Blind; and

Whereas, we join to recognize the New York State Society of Opticians, Inc. and its efforts to advance the ophthalmic dispensing profession and the healthy vision of people of all ages and walks of life, and, on behalf of all New Yorkers, I congratulate the Board of Directors, members, and staff of the Society on celebrating this milestone anniversary;

Now, Therefore, I George E. Pataki, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby cite the 70th anniversary of the

New York State Society of Opticians, Inc.

in recognition of its distinguished history over the past seven decades and with appreciation for such strong commitment to the professional community it serves.

                                                                            George E. Pataki (Signature)
(Executive Privy Seal)                                          Governor
                                                                             July 2006