LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Brooklyn Section of the National
Council of Negro Women and honoring the young achievers who will be
recognized at its 24th Annual Harambee Celebration on April 18, 2009

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 and
to honor the young achievers who will be recognized at its 24th Annual
Harambee Celebration, to be held at the Fleur de Lis in Ridgewood on
Saturday, April 18, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Section of the National Council of Negro Women
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 47 years, the Brooklyn Section of the National
Council of Negro Women has flourished under 11 past presidents: Odessa
L. Skeene, Ann McMillan, Reve Green-Anthony, Narcissus Frett-Moses,
Ruth Ford, Dorothy T. Leggett, Glenys Pantaleon, Alma R. Garrette, Marva
D. Earle-Jones, Ellen F. Haywood, and Essie E. Gregory; today, under
the insightful direction of the current and 12th President, Jennifer
LeGrand, 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 by the
Brooklyn Section, has served thousands of the community's children; and
WHEREAS, The six young achievers who will be honored at the 24th Annu-
al Harambee Celebration were selected for their academic accomplish-
ments, community service, and church activities; and
WHEREAS, The 2009 honorees include: Staci Lynn Barrett, Cleopatra
Jordan, William M. Suggs, Essence Turner, Kristen Williamston and Lean-
dra Yarrell; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to join with the
Brooklyn Section of the National Council of Negro Women in honoring the
achievements of these six hardworking young people and leaders of tomor-
row upon the occasion of the 24th 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 and
to honor the young achievers who will be recognized at its 24th Annual
Harambee Celebration on April 18, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jennifer LeGrand, President of the Brooklyn Section of the
National Council of Negro Women, and to the aforementioned honorees.