LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Tamara Tunie upon the occasion of
receiving the Linda Dano Heart Award from HeartShare Human Services of
New York on March 25, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives
of service to their community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Tamara Tunie upon the occasion of receiving the Linda Dano Heart Award
from HeartShare Human Services of New York at its 2010 Spring Gala and
Auction to be held at the New York Marriott Marquis Broadway Ballroom on
Thursday, March 25, 2010; and
WHEREAS, A woman of singular distinction, Tamara Tunie has continually
demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence and diligent
leadership in her unwavering service to her community and profession;
and
WHEREAS, Exceptionally talented, Tamara Tunie is currently in her
tenth season as Medical Examiner Melinda Warner in Wolf Films/Universal
Media Studio's top-rated series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"; and
WHEREAS, Tamara Tunie has had many other memorable roles on tele-
vision, most notably as the long-standing character Jessica Griffin on
the CBS Daytime Drama "As The World Turns" for which she received two
NAACP Image Award nominations and two Soap Opera Digest award nomi-
nations; she also appeared in the highly visible role of Alberta Green
in season one of the hit series "24" as well as guest appearances on
"Law and Order," "Sex and the City," and "NYPD Blue"; and
WHEREAS, Last summer, Tamara Tunie went behind the camera producing
and directing her first feature film entitled "See You In September,"
starring Justin Kirk and Estella Warren; shooting on the streets of New
York City, the film surrounds a woman who forms a support group for
abandoned patients when all their therapists go on vacation in August
and finds true love; and
WHEREAS, On Broadway, Tamara Tunie has starred with Denzel Washington
in Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," the play's first Broadway staging in
over 50 years; she received rave reviews for her turn in the lead role
of Madame de Merteuil in "Les Liaisons Dangereuse" at the Shakespeare
Theater of New Jersey; she also starred in "Fences" in August Wilson's
20th Century Cycle at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, In 2006-2007, Tamara Tunie became a Broadway producer on the
team responsible for producing the Tony Award winning musical "Spring
Awakening"; she also produced August Wilson's Tony Award nominated
"Radio Golf"; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Tamara Tunie has shared the Broadway stage with
Lena Horne in the Broadway musical "Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music,"
and starred in David Merrick's revival of "Oh Kay!" with Brian Stokes
Mitchell; and
WHEREAS, Tamara Tunie toured Europe with Bubblin' Brown Sugar and
portrayed Helen of Troy in the New York Shakespeare Festival's
production of "Troilus and Cressida" in Central Park; she also played
Maggie in the first all African American production of Tennessee
Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" at Theatre Virginia in Richmond; and
WHEREAS, After September 11th, Tamara Tunie co-starred with many
veterans of Broadway, including Audra McDonald, in the 20th anniversary
benefit concert of "Dreamgirls"; and

WHEREAS, In film, Tamara Tunie has worked with some of the most
respected directors of the screen, including Taylor Hackford, Brian De
Palma, Mimi Leder, Harold Becker and Oliver Stone; she also had the
unique opportunity to work with the legendary Al Pacino, when she
portrayed the possessed wife of a partner in his law firm in the hit
film "The Devil's Advocate," and as his press secretary in "City Hall";
she also worked with famed director Kasi Lemmons and Samuel L. Jackson
on both "Eve's Bayou" and "The Caveman's Valentine"; and
WHEREAS, Despite her busy professional life, Tamara Tunie has been
called upon to contribute her time and talents to countless endeavors
and has always given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Tamara Tunie is Chair Emerita of the Board of Directors of
Figure Skating In Harlem, a non-profit organization that teaches educa-
tion and life skills to young girls in the Harlem community through the
art and discipline of Figure Skating; most recently, she joined the
Board of Directors of God's Love We Deliver and Harlem Stage/The Gate-
house; she also serves on the Advisory Board of Hearts Of Gold, The
Cherry Lane Theatre and Landing Strip Films; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of her efforts of in-depth magnitude, Tamara
Tunie received the 2005 Made in New York Award from the City of New York
for her support and commitment to film, television and theater in
Manhattan; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Harlem, Tamara Tunie has a Bachelor of Fine
Arts degree in Musical Theatre from Carnegie-Mellon University; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Tamara Tunie has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout has been her husband, Gregory Generet,
who feels privileged to be a part of her life and rejoices in her
achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Tamara Tunie has displayed through-
out her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Tamara Tunie upon the occasion of receiving the Linda Dano Heart
Award from HeartShare Human Services of New York on March 25, 2010; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Tamara Tunie.