LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Mary Brown upon the occasion of
celebrating her 100th Birthday on June 13, 2010

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Mary
Brown upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday on June 13,
2010; and
WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to
the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past
contributions and future participation are vital parts of, and valuable
assets to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, One of eleven children of Will and Halle Belle Childs, Mary
Brown was born on June 13, 1910, in Halifax County, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, The matriarch of her clan, Mary Brown has been blessed to see
five generations of her family born; she learned at an early age that
the most important things in life are the love of God first, the love of
family and the love of friends; she has carried these truths with her
all her life and instilled them in the five generations of her family;
and
WHEREAS, Upon meeting and marrying John Brown, Mary Brown migrated
north and eventually made New York her home; while working at La Guardia
Airport she and her husband raised their four children; and
WHEREAS, Mary Brown started attending services at the Antioch Baptist
Church, under the luminous direction of its Pastor, The Reverend Dr.
Marvin J. Bentley, when it was located in the basement of a private
home; she formally joined the Church when it moved to its 102nd Street
site in Corona, Queens; over the years, she has contributed to the
Church's fundraisers by knitting and crocheting baby clothes and blan-
kets, and by baking cakes and pies; and
WHEREAS, As part of the Antioch Baptist Church's Black History Moment,
the Church's June Club will be honoring Mary Brown on the auspicious
occasion of her 100th Birthday; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of a Special Senior Citizen Congressional
Recognition, Mary Brown has also been awarded a Certificate of Honor as
the Most Senior Member of the Antioch Baptist Church, as well as a
certificate for Senior Appreciation Day; and
WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian, with her zest for life, has
inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished woman, who has experienced the incredible
joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the
stamina and courage to savor a full life, has inspired all those around
her; and
WHEREAS, This beloved senior citizen has enriched the lives of those
who have been privileged to know her through her joyous and sincere love
for others, and through the quiescent charm and wisdom which come only
from a fullness of years; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed
and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome
achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves
contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Mary Brown upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th
Birthday; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mary Brown.