LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Urban League of Long Island upon
the occasion of receiving the Economic Empowerment Award from the Town
of Babylon, Department of Human Services on February 27, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 who devote themselves 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 commend
the Urban League of Long Island upon the occasion of receiving the
Economic Empowerment Award from the Town of Babylon, Department of Human
Services at its 22nd Annual Black History Month Celebration to be held
on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at the Babylon Town Hall Annex, North
Babylon, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Urban League of Long Island, Inc., is being recognized
for the unwavering dedication and service that it provides to the resi-
dents of Long Island through its many successful programs; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1972, The Urban League of Long Island, Inc. is one
of over 100 affiliates of the National Urban League, the Nation's oldest
and largest community-based movement empowering African-Americans to
enter the economic and social mainstream; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Urban League of Long Island and the over-
all Urban League Movement is to "empower African-Americans and other
disenfranchised individuals to secure economic self-reliance, parity,
power and civil rights"; and
WHEREAS, The Urban League employs a five-point strategy, tailored to
the needs of the local Long Island constituency, in order to implement
the mission of its Movement including: Education and Youth Empowerment,
Economic Empowerment, Health and Quality of Life Empowerment, Civic
Engagement and Leadership Empowerment and Civil Rights and Racial
Justice Empowerment; and
WHEREAS, The Urban League of Long Island's 36-year history began when
a group of Tuskegee Airmen working at the Grumman Corporation became
disheartened by the limited number of job and career advancement oppor-
tunities available to minorities living on Long Island; in their efforts
to eliminate barriers to equal opportunity in the workplace, together,
in the home of founding president Jean Esquerre, the Long Island affil-
iate of the National Urban League was born; and
WHEREAS, Today, the bi-county agency serves over 20,000 individuals
from Long Island, as well as New York's Nassau and Suffolk counties each
year; and
WHEREAS, The clients of the Urban League of Long Island come from
highly diversified backgrounds and possess a myriad of needs; such
clients include at-risk youth populations, mature workers, the unem-
ployed or hard to employ, local businesses, spiritual/faith based commu-
nities, and other community based organizations; and
WHEREAS, The day-to-day operation of the Urban League of Long Island
is governed by President and CEO, Theresa E. Sanders, under the guidance
and direction of a talented mix of 13 Board of Directors; the agency
also employs a host of full and part-time individuals; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Urban League of Long Island is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its Board, Administration and staff, whose
involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of

excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the League and the population
it serves; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
recognize the Urban League of Long Island, for its unwavering commitment
to the citizens of Long Island, as it provides an uncompromising stand-
ard of excellence in the delivery of superlative community service; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions 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 Urban League of Long Island upon the occasion of receiving
the Economic Empowerment Award from the Town of Babylon, Department of
Human Services on February 27, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Urban League of Long Island.