LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Eda Harris-Hastick for receiving the
2010 Community Pillar Award from Sesame Flyers International, Inc.

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, Dr. Eda Harris-Hastick 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 honor Dr. Eda
Harris-Hastick for receiving the 2010 Community Pillar Award from Sesame
Flyers International, Inc., to be celebrated at its First Annual Schol-
arship Gala on Thursday, May 13, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Based on its origins and cultural Caribbean heritage, Sesame
Flyer International Incorporated is a community-based not for profit
corporation founded in 1983; it functions as a multi-service agency
which provides a number of services to both youths and adults; Sesame
Flyers International consists of both volunteers and professional staff,
dedicated to empowering the lives of young people and community; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Eda Harris-Hastick 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, Dr. Eda Harris-Hastick is a tenured Associate Professor of
Social Work at Medgar Evers College (MEC) of the City University of New
York, and a licensed clinical social worker with over 35 years experi-
ence; previously, she served as Director of College Counseling Services
and Chairperson of Special Programs at MEC; Assistant Chief of Alcohol-
ism Services at Harlem Hospital Center; and Administrator at NYC Depart-
ment of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Eda Harris-Hastick is a founding member of the Caribbean
American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) and currently serves
as a board member of CACCI's Educational Foundation, Caribbean Research
Center's Editorial Board, SUNY Downstate Medical Center Community Board,
Editorial Boards of JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE IN THE ADDICTIONS
and JOURNAL OF HIV/AIDS PREVENTION IN CHILDREN & YOUTH, and member of
the New York State OASAS (Substance Abuse) Workforce Department; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Harris-Hastick earned her B.A. degree in
Sociology/Anthropology from Queens College, a Master's degree in Social
Work from Smith College's School of Social Work, and a Doctorate degree
in Education from Columbia University; she is widely recognized for her
professional and academic work, her research, leadership and community
service; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Dr. Eda Harris-Hastick has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Dr. Eda Harris-Hastick has displayed
throughout her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Eda Harris-Hastick for receiving the 2010 Community Pillar
Award from Sesame Flyers International, Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Eda Harris-Hastick.