DeKalb Junction Man Honored by New York State Senate

Floyd “Duff” Powell recognized with 2009 Outstanding Contribution by a Senior Citizen award

ALBANY (May 6, 2009)—The New York State Senate honored 48th Senate District resident Floyd “Duff” Powell with a resolution recognizing him with the 2009 Outstanding Contribution by a Senior Citizen award.

“At 81, Duff, as he’s known, is not only active, but his community depends on him for a great deal,” state Senator Darrel J. Aubertine said. “Active in his church as a lay minister, in the food pantry he helped to open, and seemingly available for just about anything he’s asked to do, his service to his community has long been recognized by the many who call him friend. This recognition from the State of New York only formalizes what everyone he’s helped already knows.”

Mr. Powell, who traveled to Albany with his daughter, friends and neighbors, met with Senator Aubertine in the morning before the Senate took up the resolution honoring him in session just after 11 a.m. The honored senior was next treated to a lunch in the Capitol with his friends, Senator Aubertine and Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz, chair of the Senate Aging Committee.

The Senate also declared May to be Senior Citizen Month and celebrated Senior Citizens’ Day with an information expo and ceremony at the Empire State Convention Center.

“It is a privilege to participate in this special event where the Senate unites to honor a senior citizen whose warmth and strength of character has gained him the trust, respect and love of people throughout New York State,” Senator Rev. Diaz said.

Sponsored for this award by the St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging and chosen by the State Senate, Mr. Powell has been recognized for his generosity, particularly with the time he has put into many worthy causes and with many worthy endeavors.

“Friend, advocate, mentor, all describe what Duff is to a multitude of people,” said Bernie Aldrich, of Hermon, a long time friend of Mr. Powell. “His warmth and strength of character have enabled him to give unselfishly to others throughout his life. Many people in the community have stories to tell of his many acts of kindness. He possesses a strong sense of loyalty to God, church, family and friends. Because of that, he has gained the trust, respect and love of the people throughout the North Country.”

Among his many contributions, the DeKalb Junction resident has given his time to be a counselor and leader of Methodist Youth Group, teach adult Sunday School, help start and maintain the DeKalb Junction Food Pantry, volunteer in the DeKalb Junction Volunteer Fire Department, help alleviate a shortage of clergy by supporting worship teams as a certified lay speaker and sitting as chair of the District Lay Speaker Committee, obtain a license from the town to perform marriages, and do whatever else he can to lend a helping hand, be it provide refreshments or help local churches survive.

“Duff has a tremendous reputation as a man of faith and of many good deeds, visiting nursing homes and brightening people’s day wherever he is,” Senator Aubertine said. “It’s clear that he is deserving of this honor and I’m quite proud to recognize him today.”