LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center
upon the occasion of hosting its 35th Annual Souls of Our Feet: People
of Color Dance Festival

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 commend
the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center upon the occasion of hosting its
35th Annual Souls of Our Feet: People of Color Dance Festival on June
19-23, 2011, at the Kumble Theater at Long Island University's Brooklyn
Campus; and
WHEREAS, In honor of 35 years of dance presentation, the Thelma Hill
Performing Arts Center will bring together 35 dance artists over five
consecutive nights during its annual Souls of Our Feet: People of Color
Dance Festival; and
WHEREAS, The stellar "THIRTY5-IN-5" roster includes: Alfred Gallman,
Alpha Omega, Balance Dance Theater, Camille Brown, Christal Brown's
INSPIRIT, Chuck Davis, Creative Outlet, Dance Theater of Harlem, Dudley
Williams, Edisa Weeks, Forces of Nature, Francesca Harper, George
Faison, Germual Barnes, Gus Solomon, Illstyle, Jamel Story, Karl Paris,
Loretta Abbott, Marlies Yearby, Marshall Swiney, Muvdance, Nanette Bear-
den, Nathan Trice, Nicholas Leichter, Paz Tanjuaquio, Purelements: An
Evolution in Dance, Roger C. Jeffery, Sidra Bell, Thomas/Ortiz Dance,
Urban Bush Women, Walter Rutledge and Whitney Hunter; and
WHEREAS, A mainstay on the New York dance landscape, the Thelma Hill
Performing Arts Center and its festival continues to provide a platform
to dancers of color; the Brooklyn Campus of Long Island University has
served as the festival's home since 1992; and
WHEREAS, The Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center builds bridges of
understanding through the presentation and celebration of choreographic
works by artists of color; as an independent non-profit organization,
its mission is to offer performance opportunities to artists so they can
share their work with diverse communities; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center has
supported and attracted emerging and established dance artists of color
who seek out the organization's experimental, yet historically aware
environment; it has become a viable institution of communities that have
traditionally celebrated and reflected on their social and cultural
issues through the rituals of music, dance, literature, and performance;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned our
recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center upon the occasion of
hosting the 35th Annual Souls of Our Feet: People of Color Dance
Festival; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center.