LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Reverend Elizabeth Butler upon the
occasion of her retirement after 31 years of distinguished service with
the New York City Department of Education, and honoring her for over
three decades of excellent duty in the Christian Ministry and social
activism

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its
history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educa-
tional professionals and the students they inspire; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those outstanding
spiritual and educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements
have been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence
in the citizens of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The Reverend
Elizabeth Butler upon the occasion of her retirement after 31 years of
distinguished service with the New York City Department of Education,
and honoring her for over three decades of excellent duty in the Chris-
tian Ministry and social activism; and
WHEREAS, This special event will take place on Saturday, March 20,
2010, in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Butler is pastor of Church of New Beginnings,
former director of Resource Center For African American Women In Minis-
try at New York Theological Seminary, and a professional development
specialist for the UFT Teacher Center; she is also a writer, community
activist, mother, and grandmother; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Butler places great emphasis on the value of educa-
tion; after high school, she furthered her education at Brooklyn College
where she received a Bachelors of Arts Degree and a Master of Science
Degree; her theological preparation for a richer ministry was undertaken
at New York Theological Seminary where upon graduation, she received a
Master of Divinity Degree in 1991; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Butler's social and political activism extends back
a number of years; she came up through the ranks of the National Black
United Front (NBUF) where she served on several committees and was the
first woman to hold the organization's office of National Secretary; and
WHEREAS, In a leadership capacity, Reverend Butler served the 750
Lefferts Avenue Tenant's Association, The Black and Latin Coalition
Against Police Brutality, Public School 91 PTA's Curriculum Committee,
Public School 316's Kwanzaa Committee, the Organization of African Amer-
ican Workers In Education, and the Youth Department of Pentecostal
Rescue House of Prayer For All Nations, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Butler has traveled nationally and internationally,
networking with indigenous women; she has a deep interest in building
solidarity among lay and ordained women and has received quite a number
of certificates and awards for her social and political activism; and
WHEREAS, Two years into her teaching career, the PTA of PS 91 honored
Elizabeth Butler as Teacher of the Year; in 1988, the Women's Develop-
ment Center of Medgar Evers presented her with the Fannie Lou Hamer
Award; for her work in ministry, the Women's Department of Salvation
Baptist Church, New York Theological Seminary, Brooklyn Clergywomen's
Oral History Project, and Church of New Beginnings have recognized her;
and
WHEREAS, Reverend Butler's nontraditional womanist approach to minis-
try has been highlighted by various media sources, including NEW YORK
DAILY NEWS, "Good Morning America", and CARIBBEAN NEWS; although retir-

ing in education, she continues to provide service to children and fami-
lies in a ministerial role, as pastor of Church of New Beginnings; 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 The Reverend Elizabeth Butler upon the occasion of her retire-
ment after 31 years of distinguished service with the New York City
Department of Education, and honoring her for over three decades of
excellent duty in the Christian Ministry and social activism; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Reverend Elizabeth Butler.