Senate Resolution No. 2225

BY: Senator PARKER

HONORING Dr. Torian Easterling upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of a Phi Award by
the Gamma Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives
of service to their community and their profession; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Dr. Torian Easterling upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of a Phi Award by the Gamma Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, Inc., to be celebrated at its Juneteenth Summer Formal on
Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Terrace on the Park, Corona, New York; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek letter
fraternity established by African-Americans, was founded on December 4,
1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, by seven visionary men
who together with other early leaders of Alpha Phi Alpha succeeded in
laying a firm foundation for the fraternity's principles of scholarship,
fellowship, good character and the uplifting of humanity; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious event offers an opportunity for the Gamma
Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to present the
distinguished Phi Award to individuals who have made great
accomplishments and have helped to better their community; Dr. Torian
Easterling is one such individual; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Torian Easterling serves as the First Deputy
Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer at the NYC Department of Health
and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH); he has spent more than five years in a
senior leadership role at the Health Department; and

WHEREAS, Prior to serving as First Deputy Commissioner and Chief
Equity Officer, Dr. Torian Easterling served as Deputy Commissioner of
the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness at the New York City
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where he oversaw programmatic
work focused on reducing overall premature mortality and closing the
racial gap on the leading causes of preventable death; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this extraordinary man served as the Assistant
Commissioner of the Department of Health's Bureau of Brooklyn
Neighborhood Health, where he helped advance key programming to address
pressing concerns, including maternal deaths and gun violence; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Torian Easterling is a community physician truly
committed to health equity, social justice and movement-building to
achieve the health outcomes that all people deserve both locally and
globally; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Torian Easterling holds a Bachelor of Science degree
from Morehouse College, a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Rutgers-New
Jersey Medical School, and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Icahn
School of Medicine at Sinai in New York; he completed his residency in
Family Medicine at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens, and a
General Preventive Medicine residency at Icahn School of Medicine at
Sinai in New York; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Dr. Torian Easterling has
displayed throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body
to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent
of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to
Dr. Torian Easterling, that future generations may know and appreciate
his admirable character, his many benevolent deeds, and the respect and
esteem in which he is held by his peers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Torian Easterling upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Phi Award by the Gamma Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Torian Easterling.