LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Caribbean American Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its 24th Annual
Entrepreneur of the Year and Corporate Recognition Awards Luncheon on
Friday, June 19, 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 who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Caribbe-
an American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. upon the occasion of
hosting its 24th Annual Entrepreneur of the Year and Corporate Recogni-
tion Awards Luncheon on Friday, June 19, 2009, in Brooklyn, New York;
and
WHEREAS, This special event will acknowledge numerous honorees for
their success and accomplishments; these distinguished recipients,
include: JP Morgan Chase, Distinguished Corporate Diversity Recognition
Award; Charles Sessoms, Director of Customer and Community Marketing,
Coca Cola Bottling Company, Distinguished Corporate Partner Award;
Patricia Sampson, Managing Director of the Bank of New York Mellon,
Distinguished Corporate Partner Award; Brenda Scott, Director of the
Vendor Development Program, Macy's East, Distinguished Corporate Partner
Award; Valerie Oliver-Durrah, President of the Neighborhood Technical
Assistance Clinic, Distinguished Business and Community Award; Sylma
Brown Bramble, Acting Director of the Caribbean Tourism Organization,
Distinguished Business and Community Partnership Award; Alfredo Thie-
baud, President of Delicioso Coco Helada, Distinguished Entrepreneur of
the Year Award; Sandra Bryan, Owner/Franchisee of the Goldenkrust Carib-
bean Bakery, Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Cliff Roye,
Owner of Cool Tech Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Distinguished
Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Scott and Natasha Nigro, Owners of
Nationwide Credit Counseling, Emerging Family-Owned Business Award; and
Erno L. Labega, Member of Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles, the
Year 2009 "Roving Ambassador" Award; and
WHEREAS, The Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.
(CACCI) was founded by Doctor Roy Hastick, Sr. in August 1985; and
WHEREAS, This organization is a statewide membership organization that
provides assistance to small and start-up business owners in a wide
variety of areas including: business planning, procurement, financing,
expansion, certification and import/export opportunities; and
WHEREAS, CACCI's helping hand to fledgling businesses in need takes
many forms, such as: monthly business development seminars, procurement
seminars, marketplace, trade & investment missions to the Caribbean,
business networking meetings and numerous referrals to city, state and
federal economic development agencies; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hastick, Sr. is a nationally renowned expert in the area
of small business, and was elected to participate in the 1995 "White
House Conference on Small Business"; in addition, he has received numer-
ous awards and citations for his unceasing support and strong advocacy
on behalf of women and minority small businesses throughout the United
States, the State of New York and the Caribbean; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the numerous services offered by the Caribbean
American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., this group also spon-
sors many events in the City of New York and elsewhere including: an
annual Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Salute to Women

Entrepreneurs, a Salute to African American Business History Month and
several other noteworthy events; and
WHEREAS, CACCI has solidified excellent partnerships with the New York
City Department of Small Business Services, Empire State Development
Corporation, the United States Department of Commerce, the New York City
Economic Development Corporation and many other organizations and enti-
ties; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the wellbeing and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned our
recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.
upon the occasion of hosting its 24th Annual Entrepreneur of the Year
and Corporate Recognition Awards Luncheon on Friday, June 19, 2009; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Doctor Roy Hastick, Sr., and to the aforementioned honorees.