LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Center for Law and Justice, Inc.
upon the occasion of opening The Jeffrey Wood Reentry Center on May 7,
2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Center for Law and Justice, Inc. upon the occasion of opening The
Jeffrey Wood Reentry Center at the Coliseum Building, in Albany, New
York on Thursday, May 7, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1985, by Dr. Alice Green, the Center for Law and
Justice is a non-profit community organization that monitors criminal
justice activities, provides legal assistance and criminal justice advo-
cacy, organizes efforts to change social policy and empowers people of
color and the poor; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Center for Law and Justice has been
serving the low-income and disadvantaged communities of New York through
education and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Center for Law and Justice is to promote
the empowerment of individuals and communities to change social policy
with a goal of creating equal opportunities for all people without
regard to economic status, race or ethnicity; and
WHEREAS, In order to achieve this mission, the Center for Law and
Justice operates two major programs, Family Justice Services and the
Prevention and Empowerment Program; and
WHEREAS, Family Justice Services provides legal information and guid-
ance, conflict resolution strategies, decision-making skills, and advo-
cacy to individuals and family members who are facing crisis situations
due to involvement in the criminal or juvenile justice systems; and
WHEREAS, The Prevention and Empowerment Program is a collaborative
crime deterrence and leadership development program for young people
that operates in the heart of inner city trouble spots, bringing educa-
tional, mentoring, and empowerment activities to youth and their parents
or guardians; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Center for Law and Justice is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its Executive Director, Dr. Alice P.
Green, and its superbly skilled staff, all of whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeav-
ors on behalf of the Center and the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this
Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the dedication and
accomplishment of all the volunteers, and all those involved with the
Center for Law and Justice, past and present; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor and commend
the Center for Law and Justice, which has labored so conscientiously to
secure and improve the quality of life for the residents and community
it serves, noting the significance of its unremitting efforts to build a
commonality of interest and pride of cooperative achievement, inherent
in the values of community and family life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Center for Law and Justice, Inc. upon the occasion of opening
The Jeffrey Wood Reentry Center on May 7, 2009; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Center for Law and Justice.