Biography
Senator Catharine "Cathy" Young has an established record of civic, professional and volunteer achievements.
Elected to the Senate in 2005, she immediately took on a leadership post as Chair of the Senate Agriculture committee, working to strengthen New York State’s top industry. She also Co-Chairs the Administrative Regulations Review Commission to reduce regulations and red tape that impede job growth. Senator Young serves on the Health; Higher Education; Insurance; Housing; Construction and Community Development; and Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committees.
Previously, she served in the Assembly since 1999 until her election to the Senate. In the Assembly she was named to several top leadership positions, including Assistant Minority Leader Pro Tempore.
During her tenure as a state representative, Senator Young has become a recognized voice on tax relief, economic growth, job creation and government reform. She has authored numerous laws to protect families, including Penny’s Law that provides justice to juvenile murderers.
Senator Young has also taken on numerous assignments, including the Task Force on the State of New York Agriculture, the Sex Crimes and Women and Children Task Force, the Task Force on Educational Standards, the Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, the New York State Armed Forces Legislative Caucus and the Nursing Shortage Task Force. As the mother of three grown children, Mrs. Young understands the need for an excellent education system, and has been an advocate for fair and equitable school aid funding for upstate schools. Senator Young serves as a Major in the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary that performs vital missions for the federal government. Additionally, she is a member of the Hinsdale American Legion Auxiliary. Mrs. Young grew up on a third-generation dairy and crops farm, and for several years she has been recognized by the New York State Farm Bureau for a perfect voting record in support of agricultural issues.
For her accomplishments, she was recognized in 1997 through Business First’s Under 40 Awards, an honor given to outstanding leaders under age 40 in Western New York. The Senator has also received the J. Henry Smith Distinguished Public Service Award from Alfred University, the Fredonia College Foundation Distinguished Service Award, United University Professions’ 2008 Friend of SUNY, the Friend of the Green Industry Award from the NYS Turfgrass Association and special recognitions from the New York Beef Producers’ Association, the New York Apple Industry, and New York Farm Bureau.
Senator Young has also been named as a lifetime member of the National Independent Order of Vikings Lodge No. 65, the Cuba Fire Department, Westons Mills Fire Department, Southwestern Fire Association, and the Chautauqua County Fire Police Association.In 2004, Mrs. Young was recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award from St. Agnes School and the National Catholic Educational Association. She also has been saluted with the prestigious outstanding citizen award from the Olean YMCA, and was honored by Accord Corporation for dedicated and unwavering support of the fight against poverty. Heritage Village also presented her with an outstanding service award for tireless efforts on behalf of residents and staff of nursing homes. In 2000, Mrs. Young was selected to travel to Nicaragua and El Salvador with the American Council of Young Political Leaders and the U.S. Department of State. In Central America, she met with government, political, economic, health and education leaders. That same year she flew on an official mission to Greenland with the internationally-regarded 109th Airlift Wing and was recognized for her strong support of the New York State Guard. Prior to her New York State service, Mrs. Young served on the Cattaraugus County Legislature, achieving a leadership post as Majority Whip within her eighteen months of service. As chairperson of the county Development and Agriculture Committee she solidified her reputation as the pro-growth voice of the Southern Tier. Mrs. Young also served as a member of the county Board of Health, and advanced numerous community development, good government and public safety issues. Catharine Young held the administrative post of Director of Communications and Development at the ReHabilitation Center, a large, not-for-profit agency that serves people with disabilities. Mrs. Young studied at SUNY Fredonia and was graduated magna cum laude from St. Bonaventure University, earning a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. She has worked as a news reporter and has taught several leadership and communication courses. Additionally, she has served on the board of the Olean Chamber of Commerce, the Cattaraugus County American Red Cross, and the Olean Rotary Club, where she was named a Paul Harris Fellow by her colleagues, and was recently named an honorary life member of the West Dunkirk Fire Department.Senator Young is a full-time legislator with offices in Albany, Olean and Jamestown.
In 2004, Mrs. Young was recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award from St. Agnes School and the National Catholic Educational Association. She also has been saluted with the prestigious outstanding citizen award from the Olean YMCA, and was honored by Accord Corporation for dedicated and unwavering support of the fight against poverty. Heritage Village also presented her with an outstanding service award for tireless efforts on behalf of residents and staff of nursing homes. In 2000, Mrs. Young was selected to travel to Nicaragua and El Salvador with the American Council of Young Political Leaders and the U.S. Department of State. In Central America, she met with government, political, economic, health and education leaders. That same year she flew on an official mission to Greenland with the internationally-regarded 109th Airlift Wing and was recognized for her strong support of the New York State Guard. Prior to her New York State service, Mrs. Young served on the Cattaraugus County Legislature, achieving a leadership post as Majority Whip within her eighteen months of service. As chairperson of the county Development and Agriculture Committee she solidified her reputation as the pro-growth voice of the Southern Tier. Mrs. Young also served as a member of the county Board of Health, and advanced numerous community development, good government and public safety issues. Catharine Young held the administrative post of Director of Communications and Development at the ReHabilitation Center, a large, not-for-profit agency that serves people with disabilities. Mrs. Young studied at SUNY Fredonia and was graduated magna cum laude from St. Bonaventure University, earning a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. She has worked as a news reporter and has taught several leadership and communication courses. Additionally, she has served on the board of the Olean Chamber of Commerce, the Cattaraugus County American Red Cross, and the Olean Rotary Club, where she was named a Paul Harris Fellow by her colleagues, and was recently named an honorary life member of the West Dunkirk Fire Department.Senator Young is a full-time legislator with offices in Albany, Olean and Jamestown.