Joseph Raymond Welch Unity Award

Joseph Raymond Welch Unity Award | Deadline September 25, 2025

Presented by the Corning City Democratic Committee

Purpose: The Joseph Raymond Welch Unity Award was established in December 2020 to honor the memory of the Committee’s long-standing Chairman, Joseph Raymond Welch, (April 3, 1972 – November 8, 2020). Joe’s legacy included his commitment to and skill at unifying people for the common good, and his expertise at including all who wanted to contribute.

Procedure:

● The Joseph Raymond Welch Unity Award shall be given annually by the Corning City Democratic Committee to a Steuben County resident or organization in recognition of outstanding community service and leadership in the County.

● The Corning City Democratic Committee will call for nominations each year with a public notice made in September. ● Anyone in the county may nominate someone. Nominations shall be made by submitting a letter of nomination to Corning City Democratic Committee; c/o Margie Lawlor; margie.lawlor@outlook.com, by the published deadline each year. If mail is preferred, the address is 106 E. 5 th St. Corning, NY 14830.

● Successful letters of nomination will describe in detail, with examples, how the nominee has demonstrated a sustained commitment to promoting unity, inclusion, civic engagement or excellence in government.

● A selection committee consisting of 2 representatives of the Corning City Democratic Committee and 2 representatives of the Corning City Republican Committee will select a recipient at a meeting held in late September each year. George Welch, Jr. will chair the selection committee. The nominator of the selected recipient will be promptly notified, and the award will be given at the City Democratic Committee’s annual fundraiser, the date of which will be published in early September each year.

● The recipient will have $250 donated in their name to a charity of their choice, plus receive a commemorative award. In addition, their name will be added to an honoree plaque maintained by the Corning City Democratic Committee.

Shawn Hogan named the second recipient of

the Joseph Raymond Welch Unity Award

At the Corning City Democratic Committee 2022 Annual Fall

Fundraiser at the Radisson, Shawn Hogan, former Mayor of

Hornell and longtime chair of the Steuben County Democratic

Committee, was the named the recipient of the second Annual

Joseph Raymond Welch Unity Award for outstanding community

service and leadership in Steuben County.

Roberta Smith named the first recipient of

the Joseph Raymond Welch Unity Award

At the Corning City Democratic Committee 2021 Annual Fall Fundraiser at the Radisson, Roberta Smith was named the recipient of the first Annual Joseph Raymond Welch Unity Award for outstanding community service and

leadership in Steuben County.

Call for Nominations: Joseph Raymond Welch Unity Award

June 21, 2021

Corning, NY – The Corning City Democratic Committee and the Corning City Republican Committee are seeking nominations for the inaugural Joseph Raymond Welch Unity Award. The Corning City Democratic Committee established this award in December 2020 to honor the memory of its long-standing Chairman, Joseph Raymond Welch, (April 3, 1972 – November 8, 2020). Joe’s legacy included his commitment to and skill at unifying people for the common good, and his expertise at including all who wanted to contribute. Following are details about the award and the nomination process.

The Joseph Raymond Welch Unity Award shall be given annually by the Corning City Democratic Committee to a Steuben County resident in recognition of outstanding community service and leadership in the County.
Anyone in the county may nominate someone. Nominations shall be made by submitting a letter of nomination to Corning City Democratic Committee; c/o Margie Lawlor, Chairman; margie.lawlor@outlook.com, by September 25th of each year. If mail is preferred, the address is 106 E. 5th St. Corning, NY 14830.
Successful letters of nomination will describe in detail, with examples, how the nominee has demonstrated a sustained commitment to promoting unity, inclusion, civic engagement or excellence in government.
A selection committee consisting of 2 representatives of the Corning City Democratic Committee and 2 representatives of the Corning City Republican Committee will

select a recipient at a meeting held each year.

George Welch, Jr. will chair the selection committee. The nominator

of the selected recipient will be promptly notified, and the award

will be given at the City Democratic Committee’s annual fundraiser,

usually held the first Thursday of October.

The recipient will have $250 donated in their name to a charity of

their choice, plus receive an award certificate. In addition, their

name will be added to an honoree plaque maintained by the

Corning City Democratic Committee.

Questions may be directed to:

Margie Lawlor, Chairman
Corning City Democratic Committee
607-368-6499