LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Harold Payne upon the
occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary

WHEREAS, Harold and Florence Payne were united in marriage on April
23, 1960, at St. Aloysius Church in Harlem, New York; and
WHEREAS, They are the proud parents of Lisa, Harold Jr. and their
son-in-law, Terrance and have two grandchildren, Yiesha Danielle and
Malcolm; and
WHEREAS, Harold and Florence Payne are and always have been a tower of
strength, support, understanding and limitless love for their family;
and
WHEREAS, Their love, devotion, caring, sensitivity and responsiveness
to their family, friends and all who know them are their hallmark and
tradition; and
WHEREAS, Harold and Florence Payne were both born in Charleston, South
Carolina; Florence attended the prestigious Avery Institute and gradu-
ated from Burke High School; a licensed cosmetologist, Florence later
moved to New York City where she attended Washington Business Institute,
the College of New Rochelle and Berkeley Business Institute; and
WHEREAS, During his high school years at Burke High School in Charle-
ston, Harold Payne excelled in athletics, in particular baseball and
basketball; he was a star member of the Burke High School Senior Basket-
ball team which won the South Carolina State Championship in 1949; in
addition to that athletic achievement, he obtained a tryout with the
Pittsburgh Pirates Professional Baseball Team in 1953; he later attended
Bronx Community College; and
WHEREAS, Florence Payne's professional pursuits have been both diverse
and rewarding; she has held many positions with various organizations
including the New York Telephone Company, Jujamcyn Theatres, Fine Art
Pillows, Inc. as well as a private attorney, Donnaree Banton, Esq; in
1997, she was offered a wonderful opportunity to work for a New York
State Congressman; today, she continues to love her job since it
fulfills her dream of helping others on a daily basis; and
WHEREAS, Harold Payne was drafted into the United States Army during
the Korean conflict; during his tenure in Korea, he proudly served in
the 8th Army Honor Guard; he was honorably discharged from the Army with
the rank of Staff Sergeant; he began a career with the United States
Postal Service in 1956 and simultaneously worked as a paraprofessional
for 17 years with the NYC Board of Education in District 9, working with
elementary school children and their parents; after 34 years with the
U.S. Postal Service, he retired; upon retirement, he became the Director
of the Tilden Towers Senior Citizens Center; it is through this position
that he fulfilled his dream of serving his community; he retired from
Tilden Towers Senior Center in January 2010; and
WHEREAS, Residents of the Bronx, both Harold and Florence Payne donate
a lot of time to various local charitable and civic organizations
including: the Office of Black Ministry for the Catholic Archdiocese of
New York, the Parent Teacher Association of Public School 16, NIA: A
Minority Women's Professional Network, The Incarcerated Mothers Program,
the Food Pantry at the Edenwald-GunHill Neighborhood Center as well as
many other worthwhile endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Harold and Florence Payne have lived and continue to live
their lives with great dignity and genuine grace, always demonstrating a
deep and continuing concern for human values and ideals, and in so
doing, they have inspired others to do the same; and
WHEREAS, This meaningful occasion is the result of the love, hard work
and spirit that this couple has invested in their marriage; and

WHEREAS, These same values they have passed to their loved ones,
producing a family that is close-knit and supportive of its individual
members, public-minded in its relations to the community and committed
to the ideals of citizenship upon which this Nation was founded; and
WHEREAS, Harold and Florence Payne have touched the lives of their
family and many friends through the shining example of their marriage,
which is a testament to the devotion and admiration which they possess
for one another; and
WHEREAS, The longevity of this enduring marriage truly marks a mile-
stone in life's journey, an event of personal triumph and joy; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when an occa-
sion of such importance is brought to our attention, the same should be
memorialized by us for the edification and emulation of others; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Harold Payne upon the occasion of their 50th
Wedding Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Payne.