LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Community Action Organization Green
Entrepreneurial Center upon the occasion of its designation as a recipi-
ent of the 2010 Western New York Green Business Award

WHEREAS, It is the proud custom of this Legislative Body to honor those
businesses within the State of New York which distinguish themselves
through outstanding professional behavior, corporate innovation, and
enduring commitment to the community; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the continuing
welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched and
reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of organizations which are
committed to the preservation of our natural environment and the
enhancement of the appreciation of the distinctive features of our
surroundings, and to the economic well-being of the areas in which they
exist; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Community Action Organization Green Entrepreneurial Center upon the
occasion of its designation as a recipient of the 2010 Western New York
Green Business Award; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated at the
Buffalo-Niagara Green Expo, to be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010, at
the Walden Galleria; and
WHEREAS, The Community Action Organization of Erie County, Inc. (CAO)
has developed a special program titled the Green Entrepreneurial Center
to bring urban farming and urban agriculture to the City of Buffalo and
Erie County; and
WHEREAS, CAO has designed its Green Entrepreneurial Center program in
a way that benefits low income residents, provides a venue for all resi-
dents to be involved in urban agricultural activities, and creates urban
agricultural jobs and urban agricultural businesses and social enter-
prises; and
WHEREAS, In addition, CAO is pioneering the local use of "hoop hous-
es," poor man's greenhouses, that allow low-income communities to fill
the critical need for fresh nutritious food; and
WHEREAS, To achieve these lofty goals, CAO has forged numerous part-
nerships through its Community Advisory Board, which consists of sixteen
representatives from various organizations including the: Community
Foundation for Greater Buffalo Task Forces; City of Buffalo Environ-
mental Management Commission; City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Plan-
ning; Growing Buffalo Coalition; and the Growing Partners Garden member-
ship, consisting of CAO neighborhood residents; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when business
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Community Action Organization Green Entrepreneurial Center
upon the occasion of its designation as a recipient of the 2010 Western
New York Green Business Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Community Action Organization Green Entrepreneurial
Center.