STATE OF NEW YORK 
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER 
Proclamation

Whereas, the Empire State places a high priority on quality health care for all New Yorkers and appreciates the various entities that are part of our collective health care system, and we further recognize that this important goal is advanced by valuable resources, including community health centers – nonprofit, community-owned and -operated health care providers serving uninsured and medically underserved people in communities across this State; and

Whereas, offering affordable health care, community health centers expand access to health care for over 1.2 million New York State residents and help contain costs by fostering prevention and by integrating the delivery of primary care with aggressive outreach, patient education, language translation and other enabling services; and

Whereas, with a focus on improving the health status of people in underserved areas, the majority of whom have incomes below the poverty level, community health centers address the needs of patients in New York State’s urban and rural communities, offering comprehensive and primary health care services, and participating in disease management projects that aim to eliminate disparities, improve outcomes and control costs, with a goal of achieving 100% access; and

Whereas, community health centers have made significant contributions to the health care system in New York State and helped advance the progress and modernization of health care management by maintaining high standards of accountability, demonstrating cost-effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of primary and preventive services, removing barriers to health care access, and helping to reduce disabilities, communicable diseases and preventable deaths; and

Whereas, community health centers continue to expand services and promote high quality care for people, representing a practical and resourceful means by which to address health care needs within our communities; and

Whereas, during this weeklong observance that reflects upon the meaningful theme “Celebrating America’s Health Centers: Where ACCESS and QUALITY CARE Begin,” it is fitting for all New Yorkers to join in recognizing the many non-profit community health centers that uphold a tradition of compassionate and effective services as part of our State’s ongoing commitment to ensuring quality primary health care for its citizens;

Now, Therefore, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim August 9-15, 2009 as

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER WEEK

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 fifth day of August in the year two thousand nine.

David A. Paterson
Governor