LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Montre-
al Chapter of Hawks International being celebrated on May 16, 2010

WHEREAS, Organizations which serve the interests of the people of this
Empire State merit the commendation of this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
organizations and individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 30th Anniversary of the Montreal Chapter of Hawks Interna-
tional; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Sunday, May 16,
2010, at the organization's premier event, the 25th Anniversary Senior
Citizens Annual Luncheon, to be held in Montreal, Canada; and
WHEREAS, Hawks International was founded in 1972 at the home of Mrs.
Althea McClean as an extension of its original unit founded in the
Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services in 1968; its mission and purpose was
to provide a home away from home for those from the Caribbean area
settling in large numbers in the Tri-State area; and
WHEREAS, An additional purpose of Hawks International was to bridge
the subtle hostile gap which existed between the Afro-American and
Caribbean-American communities; and
WHEREAS, Hawks International became the first Trinidad and Tobago
organization to establish membership in the NAACP, National Urban Leag-
ue, CORE, and other worthy organizations in the United States; it is one
of the earliest members of the Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, Hawks International, with the blessing of Presi-
dent and Mrs. Ronald Reagan, took the "Say NO to Drugs" program to
Trinidad and Tobago; it has also honored its national heroes in the arts
and academia; and
WHEREAS, In 1980, Hawks International founded a Montreal, Canada,
Chapter to further build a bridge connecting the cultural links of the
Caribbean-American communities wherever they were located, including
chapters in Toronto, Detroit, Boston and Atlanta; and
WHEREAS, The Montreal Chapter of Hawks International proved to be an
outstanding success, attracting patrons from as far away as the United
Kingdom, Europe, and Australia; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Brenda Wallace, Founder and serving President of the
Montreal Chapter of Hawks International, is credited with attracting an
army of dedicated members and supporters; and
WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of its Chairman of the Board,
Desmond M. Chase, Hawks International continues to strive for excellence
in achieving its mission to assist new arrivals, maintain their cultural
heritage and fuse the Afro-American and Caribbean-American communities;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when an organ-
ization of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our atten-
tion, it should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Montreal Chapter of Hawks Inter-
national; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Montreal Chapter of Hawks International.