LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 35th Anniversary of Neighbor-
hood Housing Services of Jamaica, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; 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 35th Anniversary of Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica,
Inc., to be celebrated at its annual meeting on Thursday, April 30,
2009; and
WHEREAS, In addition, this fine event is to recognize the board
members of Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, Inc.; these distin-
guished honorees include: Lori A. Miller, Camille M. Dunn, Elizabeth
Kennedy, Elizabeth Blaney, Monte Mochochoko, Alfred Titus, Lordeas Brax-
ton, Adjoa Gzifa, Joseph Hardy, Marie Pedraza, Lennon Kennedy, Roger
Pierro, and Linda McCoy; and
WHEREAS, Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, Inc. (NHSJ) is a
not-for-profit organization that is committed to stabilizing neighbor-
hoods in Southern Queens by offering homeownership education, pre- and
post purchase counseling, and technical and financial assistance to
residents in its communities; by creating an awareness of affordable
housing resources, NHSJ enables local residents to upgrade and preserve
their properties to improve the quality of life in their communities;
and
WHEREAS, NHSJ was incorporated in 1974 in the Baisley Park Section of
Queens by a committee of community residents who were concerned about
redlining by private insurance companies, and the lack of reinvestment
by conventional lending institutions; Neighborhood Housing Services of
Jamaica is the first Program to be incorporated in New York State, and
the ninth Program in the country; and
WHEREAS, Since 1974, NHSJ has provided homeownership education and
affordable housing services for residents throughout southeast Jamaica
Queens; however, many of its special products are targeted to those who
reside within the boundaries of Queens Community Board 12, the second
largest in Queens; and
WHEREAS, Queens, New York, is one of the most severely impacted
boroughs in New York City by the current sub-prime lending foreclosure
crises; the statistics indicate that it has borne a disproportionate
share of foreclosure when compared to the City's other boroughs; and
WHEREAS, During these tough economic times, NHSJ has been on the front
line battling to help over a hundred homeowners in their struggle; its
vision is to promote safe and healthy communities that are affordable to
working and middle class families; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals and organizations 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
commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Neighborhood Housing Services of
Jamaica, Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, Inc., and to the
aforementioned honorees.