LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Marie Runyon, Community Activist, upon
the occasion of her designation for special recognition

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Marie Runyon has given not only of her time and energies but
also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Marie
Runyon, Community Activist, upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition; she celebrated her 95th Birthday on Saturday, March
20, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Born to a pharmacist in the mountains of Brevard, North Caro-
lina, Marie Runyon attended high school and graduated from Berea College
in Kentucky; in addition, she pursued graduate studies in psychology in
North Carolina, Kentucky and Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, Marie Runyon became a nurse's aide and then a clinical
psychologist in Minnesota and Connecticut; seeking her fortune, she came
to New York City in 1946, and got a job as a copy reader, becoming the
second female reader in New York City for the NEW YORK POST; and
WHEREAS, Since 1947, Marie Runyon has lived in Harlem, New York City;
for over 50 years, she has worked to right racial and criminal injus-
tice, through such organizations as the ACLU and SANE; and
WHEREAS, Marie Runyon was elected to the New York State Assembly in
1974, where she focused on issues of housing and criminal justice reform
and donated most of her salary to a foundation to feed the elderly; she
served until 1976; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, Marie Runyon founded and served as Executive Direc-
tor of the Harlem Restoration Project, a non-profit organization that
helped Harlem families acquire apartments through the city's Tenant
Interim Lease program, and renovated the apartments with labor provided
by ex-offenders; the Harlem Restoration Project grew to manage 500
units, half of which housed formerly homeless families, as well as
providing jobs to over 500 ex-offenders; and
WHEREAS, Marie Runyon is Founder of the Morningside Tenants Feder-
ation; this organization fights to help tenants keep their homes and
protect affordable housing for both community members and Columbia
University students in the Morningside Heights neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Currently active in the Granny Peace Brigade, an organization
opposing the use of military force to resolve conflicts, Marie Runyon is
a member of the Screen Actors Guild, and made appearances in Spike Lee's
2008 "Miracle at Santa Ana" and Jonathan Demme's 2004 "Manchurian Candi-
date"; and
WHEREAS, Marie Runyon has been called upon to contribute her time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Marie Runyon has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout has been her daughter, Louise, 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 Marie Runyon has displayed through-
out her life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Marie Runyon, Community Activist, upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Marie Runyon.