LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial
Development Corporation upon the occasion of hosting Sunset Swing XI:
Proudly Serving Southwest Brooklyn on May 12, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations within the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation upon the occa-
sion of hosting Sunset Swing XI: Proudly Serving Southwest Brooklyn on
Thursday, May 12, 2011 at Gargiulo's Restaurant, Coney Island, New York;
and
WHEREAS, The Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation
(SBIDC) is a local economic development corporation whose mission is to
provide advocacy and services to help businesses in the Sunset Park, Red
Hook and Gowanus neighborhoods of Brooklyn grow and create employment
opportunities for local residents; and
WHEREAS, SBIDC has been a driving force in the Southwest Brooklyn
economy since 1978, when the organization was formed by a group of busi-
ness owners who saw the need for an agency that could serve as both an
advocate and a provider of direct services; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the SBIDC has administered a wide varie-
ty of programs aimed at improving the local economy; it successfully
managed the NYC In-Place Industrial Park and the NYS Empire Zones
Program for two decades; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, the NYC Department of Small Business Services chose
SBIDC to be the local administrator for the SW Brooklyn Industrial Busi-
ness Zone (IBZ); most recently, SBIDC has built up its capacity to
deliver workforce-placement services to local firms; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corpo-
ration has provided local residents with employment services, and advo-
cated for local improvements that better the quality of life for both
residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, This year, the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development
Corporation will honor Phoenix Beverages, Dell's Maraschino Cherries,
The Waterfront Museum and its founder, David Sharps; and
WHEREAS, Phoenix Beverages has recently completed a major relocation
to Red Hook, Brooklyn, consolidating its distribution and recycling
operations onto Piers 7 and 11; the move brings more than 400 jobs to
the area and SBIDC has already placed 30 local residents with the compa-
ny; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1948, Dell's Maraschino Cherries is a family owned
and operated business which has grown to be one of the two largest
manufacturers of maraschino cherries in the U.S.; Dell's is an excellent
local employer and community supporter and is currently expanding its
operations in Red Hook; and
WHEREAS, The Frank C. Spinner Jr. Award for Public Service will be
awarded to The Waterfront Museum and its founder, David Sharps; through
the Museum, David has pioneered public access to the waterfront via
maritime and environmental education programs; the Museum's many educa-
tional programs have introduced numerous children to the New York
Harbor, fostering an understanding of the Harbor as both a commercial
waterway and a place for recreation; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development
Corporation is in direct correlation to the efforts of its employees,

whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impres-
sive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard
of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the
population it serves; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body commends
the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation for its excel-
lence and for its commitment and contributions to the community it has
so ably served for the past 33 years; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation upon
the occasion of hosting Sunset Swing XI: Proudly Serving Southwest
Brooklyn on May 12, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation.