STATE OF NEW YORK 
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER 
Proclamation

Whereas, the children of today represent our hope and promise for a better tomorrow, and New York State is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety, health and well-being of our children and to provide them with the greatest possible opportunities for success in life, as they are the future leaders of this Nation; and

Whereas, there is no element of personal responsibility more basic than the obligation of both parents to care for their children, and providing emotional and financial support is critical to a child’s growth and development into a successful, productive citizen; and

Whereas, New York State’s Child Support Enforcement Program is an important component of a single parent’s ability to increase economic security; and

Whereas, child support professionals in New York work diligently to serve more than 1.1 million children through the establishment of paternity and the collection of support, and these dedicated professionals have also developed collaborative partnerships with other State, county and community-based agencies to help educate parents about the need to financially and emotionally support their children; and

Whereas, the statewide total in child support collections for 2008 was $1.7 billion, representing the highest level of growth in New York State since the preceding year, 2007; and

Whereas, child support professionals continue to be committed and passionate about ensuring that New York State’s children receive all of the support to which they are entitled, as this can have a profound impact on all aspects of a child’s life, with permanent and lasting effects; and

Whereas, we are fortunate that the majority of children in New York State have the benefits of a stable, strong and positive home environment in which they are raised by caring parents, foster families or guardians who see that their needs are met, and we recognize these people are examples of good parenting who acknowledge and live up to their responsibilities by providing for their children’s well-being – emotionally, financially, and in other ways;

Now, Therefore, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim August 2009 as

CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT MONTH

in the Empire State.

G i v e n under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this thirtieth day of July in the year two thousand nine.

David A. Paterson
Governor