LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Rockland Family Shelter upon the occa-
sion of its 12th Annual Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner and paying
tribute to this year's honorees

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 organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves 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 commend
Rockland Family Shelter upon the occasion of its 12th Annual Distin-
guished Citizen Award Dinner to be held Sunday, May 1, 2011, at The
Clubhouse at Patriot Hills, Stony Point, New York, and to pay tribute to
this year's honorees; and
WHEREAS, The recipients of this year's Distinguished Citizen Award
include Dr. Arlene W. Clinkscale for her lifelong devotion to education,
and Herbert Kurz for his lifelong commitment to social justice and
philanthropy; and
WHEREAS, Rockland Family Shelter is a private non-profit grassroots
organization, dedicated to serving domestic violence and sexual assault
victims and their families; and
WHEREAS, Through direct services, education, advocacy, agency consul-
tation and leadership in coordinated community action, Rockland Family
Shelter works to create a community where women and children can live
with dignity and equality, free from abuse; and
WHEREAS, In 1981, following three decades of service to public educa-
tion, both in and out of the classroom, Dr. Arlene W. Clinkscale became
the first African American female Superintendent in the State of New
York, leading the Nyack school district; and
WHEREAS, She has served as President of the Rockland Negro Scholarship
Fund, as Educational Consultant for Minority Affairs in the Roslyn
school district, on the Board of Trustees at St. Thomas Aquinas College,
and has twice been appointed to the Rockland Community College Board of
Trustees by the Rockland County Legislature, during which she was twice
elected Chair; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Arlene W. Clinkscale has worked tirelessly to improve the
lives of youth and families in Rockland County and, 61 years into her
cause, continues to pursue her calling; and
WHEREAS, Herbert Kurz has supported countless human rights, educa-
tional, social service and anti-violence organizations in Rockland Coun-
ty and beyond; and
WHEREAS, A steadfast advocate for peace, liberty and equality and
defender of intellectual freedom, he recently created the Herbert Kurz
Chair in Constitutional Rights at the Brooklyn College branch of the
City University of New York; and
WHEREAS, Whether working to uphold the mission of the Shelter or
supporting organizations whose main objective is to make neighborhoods
safer, one community at a time, Herbert Kurz's endless generosity is
always accompanied by heartfelt passion for the humanitarian causes he
embraces; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Rockland Family Shelter upon the occasion of its 12th Annual

Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner and to pay tribute to this year's
honorees; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Rockland Family Shelter, Dr. Arlene W. Clinkscale and
Herbert Kurz.