LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Tony Best upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the Errol Grimes Dance Group on
June 14, 2009

WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons and organ-
izations that provide exemplary service, whether through participation
in voluntary programs, through unique personal achievement in their
profession or other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of good
citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Tony Best upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
by the Errol Grimes Dance Group at its Champions of the Arts Tea to be
hosted at the home of Dr. Marco A. Mason in Brooklyn, New York, on
Sunday, June 14, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The Errol Grimes Dance Group, an internationally regarded
dance company based in Brooklyn, explores contemporary dance and themes
informed by an American and Afro-West Indian perspective; the company
also aims to give back to the community by mentoring young artists and
exposing them to the many facets of professional dance training and
related arts; and
WHEREAS, Its founder, Errol Grimes, who has been described as a "poet
of motion" by THE NEW YORK TIMES, seeks to convey the diversity of the
human experience through dance, storytelling, and multidisciplinary
forms of performance; and
WHEREAS, A man of singular distinction, Tony Best is being recognized
by the Errol Grimes Dance Group for his unwavering support of the dance
company throughout its 20 year history; and
WHEREAS, Tony Best, a contemporary and highly respected Caribbean
journalist, has a deep interest in local, national and international
affairs which has greatly impacted the United States, Canada, developing
nations in the Caribbean, as well as Africa and Latin America; and
WHEREAS, A broadcast journalist, newspaper editor, contributor to
magazines, a former general manager of radio and television stations in
the Caribbean, a columnist, public affairs professional, adviser to
several international organizations and contributor to major media
organizations in the United States and the Caribbean, Tony Best has
fashioned a career that has taken him literally from poor and middle-
class communities across the world to the White House and United States
Congress, not to mention the houses of parliament in London and the
Caribbean; and
WHEREAS, A journalist for almost 50 years, Tony Best has covered both
the United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS), for at
least 30 years, reporting on and analyzing issues that impact education,
youth, the elderly, environment, population, and finance and development
across the globe; and
WHEREAS, Despite his busy professional life, Tony Best has been called
upon to contribute his time and talents to countless civic and charita-
ble endeavors and has always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Pace University in New York, and a current
resident of Forest Hills, Queens, Tony Best is the Founder and past
President of the Caribbean Media Association and currently serves as
Chief Judge of the United Nations Caribbean Media Awards; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, Tony Best served on the Board of Directors of
the Caribbean Women's Association for more than a decade; was a Vice
President of the Caribbean Broadcasters Association; a member of the
51-nation Commonwealth Broadcasting Association; and currently sits on

the Board of the Caribbean American Medical and Scientific Association;
in addition, he was a member of the Community Advisory Board of Inter-
Faith Medical Center in Brooklyn for several years; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his service, a period of
constructive involvement, Tony Best has stood constant in dignity, good
grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Tony Best's commitment and journalistic talents have signif-
icantly contributed to the enrichment of the quality of life for all the
citizens of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Tony Best upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Errol Grimes Dance Group on June 14, 2009; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Tony Best.