LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Ms. Dedra Grant-Wade upon the occasion
of being honored on May 20, 2010, in conjunction with Women of Valor Day
in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to countless women who have
contributed to the advancement of our culture through their traditional
and non-traditional roles in society; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those Women of Valor within the Empire State who have made
strong contributions to their communities and who inspire others through
their model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Ms. Dedra Grant-Wade upon the occasion of being honored on May 20, 2010,
in conjunction with Women of Valor Day in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made
historic contributions to the growth and strength of New York State in
countless recorded and unrecorded ways; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate has set aside time to recognize the
unique contributions that valiant women have made to this great Empire
State and its society; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Grant-Wade created her successful not-for-profit organ-
ization, Community Partners Commission Association, Inc. (CPCA); today,
literally thousands of community residents know the organization as
CPCA, Inc., and rely on the staff and members of the organization to do
what the mission professes: "create partnerships that change lives and
enhances communities"; and
WHEREAS, The Community Partners Commission Association, Inc. (CPCA)
provides various services to the community such as the New Lots Communi-
ty Enrichment Program at the New Lots Family Center; this center
provides education, housing, employment, youth and family social
services; and
WHEREAS, CPCA's Fit for Life-Nutrition & Exercise and the East New
York Shape up Programs are two programs that promote a healthier life-
style in order to reduce obesity related diseases; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Grant-Wade is known for her power to build relationships
among community residents, organizations, political officials, and ulti-
mately enhancing the quality of life of community residents and the
larger society; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Grant-Wade's greatest blessings are her marriage of more
than 30 years to James Wade Sr. and the births of her children, Licenia
and James Wade Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Grant-Wade's evolution from public servant to community
leader and partnership builder was a natural and predictable growth; in
the course of her citywide duties with the Department of Probation, she
developed a love for East New York Brooklyn and began committing herself
to serving the neighborhoods within Community District Board No. 5; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Grant-Wade has organized and participated in various
events geared towards activism and community self-empowerment; her
natural ability to draw people together and build partnerships are even-
ly matched to her passion to serve the public; Ms. Grant-Wade's personal
and professional life has been spent developing linkages that bond
people to her and to each other; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when Women of
Valor, noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they
should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of the great
State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Ms. Dedra Grant-Wade upon the occasion of being honored on May
20, 2010, in conjunction with Women of Valor Day in the State of New
York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ms. Dedra Grant-Wade.