Assemblyman Santabarbara recognized local Vietnam Veteran Bill Hart from the Town of Rotterdam with the 2018 Older New Yorker of the Year Award.

This year is the 53rd anniversary of the Older Americans Act, an Act that supports older people to have secure and equal opportunities to enjoy a healthy life. The Older Americans Act encourages senior citizens to find meaningful activities that support civic, cultural, educational, training and recreational opportunities.

Each spring, the New York Legislature honors older residents who through either professional accomplishments or volunteering have offered their time and experience to worthy projects or causes.

“The remarkable people who make a difference throughout our region deserve to be recognized for their contributions,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “This year’s Older New Yorker of the Year Award honors an outstanding citizen who is doing his part to make our community an even better place for all of us.”

Assemblyman Santabarbara nominated Bill Hart for the recognition earlier this year; they are both members of AMVETS Post 35, a veteran service organization in the Town of Rotterdam.

“I was so very proud to nominate Bill Hart this year and I’d like to tell you a little bit about him,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara.

Assemblyman Santabarbara highlighted Bill’s service to our country and the community as follows:

• Born and raised in the great State of New York Bill is a Vietnam Veteran who proudly served our country as a medic in the U.S. Army.
• As a graduate of Schenectady County Community College he continued his work as a nurse at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, NY
• Bill went on to work as a nurse for the General Electric Company in Schenectady, NY, a medical purchasing agent for Corporate Health Dimensions and customer service supervisor for Southwest Airlines before retiring in 2012
• Bill has been an active member of his community for more than 30 years volunteering with a number of veteran service organizations; and
• Bill is also a member of AMVETS Post 35, has served as a driver for the local chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, helps raise funds for youth scholarship programs, helps find services for local veterans and helps children learn about veterans that live in their community;
• Among his many talents, Bill started the Clowns on Rounds program where he performs as “Snappy the Clown,” bringing joy to children’s hospitals
• Bill and his wife, Kathy, live in the Town of Rotterdam, NY, where they have two children and four grandchildren.