LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Woman of Distinction Ivine Galarza
upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition in cele-
bration of Women's History Month 2009

WHEREAS, Women's History Month, celebrated each year in March, is a time
to reflect upon and pay tribute to the women of our State and Nation for
their contributions to their communities and their professions; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that women of every
economic, ethnic, and religious background have made significant
contributions to their community and to the State of New York, and it is
appropriate to recognize them and to publicly acknowledge their endeav-
ors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Woman of Distinction Ivine Galarza upon the occasion of her designation
for special recognition in celebration of Women's History Month 2009, at
a special ceremony to be held on March 27, 2009, at the Bronx Library
Center, Bronx, New York; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her esteemed career in public service, Ivine
Galarza has demonstrated strong leadership abilities and a sincere
interest in strengthening her community and improving the lives of
others; she currently serves as the District Manager for Bronx Community
Board 6 which covers the Bathgate, Belmont, East Tremont, West Farms,
Bronx Park South and Crotona Park North sections of the Bronx; and
WHEREAS, As District Manager, Ivine Galarza is responsible for moni-
toring and making recommendations to ensure the timely and satisfactory
delivery of City services and programs to the community, and serves as a
liaison to New York City's municipal agencies and elected officials; and
WHEREAS, Ivine Galarza was appointed District Manager in 1995; since
then she has initiated new programs and recommended new policies includ-
ing a "no liquor and no gambling" rule for all street fairs and block
parties held within Community Board 6; she has also convened numerous
inter-agency task forces to address such matters as inspecting and safe-
guarding potentially dangerous buildings, clearing vacant lots of health
hazards and abandoned cars, and bringing illegal parking lots and other
businesses into compliance with current City zoning and licensing
requirements; today, she continues to work with law enforcement agencies
on numerous issues relating to the community; and
WHEREAS, Ivine Galarza is currently a member of the Bronx Botanical
Garden's Advisory Board, and the Enrico Fermi Library (Belmont) as well
as Caribe Lil League; she also chairs the committee of 87 Task Force
(Happy Land); and
WHEREAS, Prior to becoming the District Manager of Community Board 6,
Ivine Galarza was the founder and Executive Director of the non-profit
housing organization, The Housing Workshop; her many accomplishments
during her 10 years at The Housing Workshop included the implementation
of a program that provided legal representation to low income tenants in
housing court and the formulation of a housing education program that
was added to the curriculum of all public schools throughout community
school districts 10 and 12; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Ivine Galarza has produced numerous public
access cable television shows for Abriendo Brecha Internacional geared
towards educating the community about the services available to them by
City, State and Federal government; she has also collaborated with the
Hispanic International Television Network on a documentary alerting the
public to asthma and the risk it poses to school children and their
families; and

WHEREAS, Ivine Galarza came to the United States from Puerto Rico at
the age of two with her sister and widowed father; they settled in
Brooklyn, New York; when she was 12, she and her family moved to the
Bronx where she still lives today; she attended Lehman College, where
she majored in Business Administration; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her son, Joel, and her grand-
daughter, Sophia, both of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life
and rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, Ivine Galarza is an extraordinary woman who serves the State
of New York as an exceptional entrepreneur, political advisor and commu-
nity leader; and
WHEREAS, New York State is home to countless women, strong and color-
ful threads vital to the fabric of our rich heritage, who have and
continue to contribute to the advancement of our society; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when women of
such 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 Woman of Distinction Ivine Galarza upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition in celebration of Women's History
Month 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ivine Galarza.