LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Brooklyn Section of the National
Council of Negro Women, Inc. and honoring the young achievers who will
be recognized at its 28th Annual Harambee Celebration on April 20, 2013

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations within the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
commend the Brooklyn Section of the National Council of Negro Women,
Inc. and to honor the young achievers who will be recognized at its 28th
Annual Harambee Celebration, to be held at the Janes United Methodist
Church in Brooklyn, NY on Saturday, April 20, 2013; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Section of the National Council of Negro Women,
Inc. was organized on January 22, 1962 at the Bedford YMCA by Odessa L.
Skeene and received its Charter on March 12, 1962; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Brooklyn Section has worked to bring
to its members a greater awareness of community activities and fuller
participation in these affairs; and
WHEREAS, For the past 50 years, the Brooklyn Section of the National
Council of Negro Women, Inc. has flourished under 12 past presidents:
Odessa L. Skeene, Anne McMillan, Reva M. Anthony, Narcissus Frett-Moses,
Ruth Ford, Dorothy T. Leggett, Glenys Pantaleon, Alma R. Garrette, Marva
D. Earle-Jones, Ellen F. Haywood, Essie E. Gregory and Jennifer LeGrand;
today, under the insightful direction of the current and 13th President,
Melissa-Denise Hayes, the Brooklyn Section continues its extraordinary
work with professionalism, dedication and compassion; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Section maintains a strong commitment to its
young people through education, outreach programs, counseling and recog-
nition; it sponsors community ventures to enhance the health and social
services of residents through seminars, health fairs and voter registra-
tion campaigns for self-empowerment; and
WHEREAS, The Mary McLeod Bethune Day Care Center, organized and spon-
sored by the Brooklyn Section, has served thousands of the community's
children; and
WHEREAS, The ten young achievers who will be honored at the 28th Annu-
al Harambee Celebration were selected for their academic accomplish-
ments, community service and church activities; and
WHEREAS, The 2013 honorees include Gianna J.M. Boone, Nyah Caldwell,
Brittany M. Lee-Benbow, Zipporah Odom, Kayan Petgrave, Nia Pierre,
Daniel Revell, Malachi Aaron Townsley, Matthew P.B. Walker and Jenise D.
Wilkerson; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to join with the
Brooklyn Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. in honor-
ing the achievements of these ten hardworking young people and leaders
of tomorrow upon the occasion of the 28th Annual Harambee Celebration;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Brooklyn Section of the National Council of Negro Women,
Inc. and to honor the young achievers who will be recognized at its 28th
Annual Harambee Celebration on April 20, 2013; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Melissa-Denise Hayes, President of the Brooklyn Section of
the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. and to the aforementioned
honorees.