LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the John J. Byrne Community Center of
Uniondale and honoring its 2011 Heroes of the Community

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 organizations
and individuals who distinguish themselves in service to their communi-
ty; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the John J. Byrne Community Center of Uniondale upon the occasion of its
3rd Annual Gala Dinner and to honor its 2011 Heroes of the Community;
and
WHEREAS, John J. Byrne Community Center, located in Uniondale near the
Nassau Hub, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of all those who live in
the Uniondale Union Free School District of Long Island, New York and
its neighbors; and
WHEREAS, The mission of John J. Byrne Community Center is to improve
the quality of community and family life by creating and maintaining an
intergenerational, multicultural, full-service community center that
provides social, health, recreational, cultural and educational opportu-
nities for all; and
WHEREAS, John J. Byrne Community Center provides a healthy mix of
recreational and social activities focused on the needs of children and
families and is currently working to build a state-of-the-art community
center on the current campus of the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care
Facility; and
WHEREAS, The Heroes in the Community Building Something New Together
Gala Benefit for the John J. Byrne Community Center, the Center's larg-
est fundraising event, was started in 2009 to honor individuals from all
walks of life who help to support its mission and work diligently on
behalf of its worthy endeavors; and
WHEREAS, This year at its 3rd Annual Gala Dinner, to be held at Jeri-
cho Terrace of Mineola in Mineola, New York on Thursday, May 5, 2011,
the John J. Byrne Community Center of Uniondale will proudly honor as
its 2011 Heroes of the Community in recognition of their outstanding
service, dedication, and contributions to their community: Mervyn A.
Campbell, Commissioner of the Uniondale Fire Department; Zahira Castil-
lo, founder of Long Island For Colombia, member of the Uniondale Hispan-
ic Civic Association, Honorary Trustee of the Uniondale Community Coun-
cil and Member of the Board of Directors of the John J. Byrne Community
Center; Serge Martinez, Associate Clinical Professor of Law at Hofstra
University, Director of the Community and Economic Development Clinic
and Co-Director of the LGBT Fellowship; and Lisa Hunte, Kara Lee, and
Hakeem Rahim, Members of the Uniondale Foundation For Excellence in
Education; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions and individuals who have faithfully served the needs of their
community with diligence and compassionate commitment to improving the
quality and dignity of life in the community are brought to our atten-
tion, 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 the John J. Byrne Community Center of Uniondale upon the occa-
sion of its 3rd Annual Gala Dinner on May 5, 2011 and to honor its 2011
Heroes of the Community Mervyn A. Campbell, Zahira Castillo, Serge
Martinez, Lisa Hunte, Kara Lee, and Hakeem Rahim; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the John J. Byrne Community Center of Uniondale and to each
of the aforementioned honorees.