LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Universal Temple of the Arts upon
the occasion of hosting its 24th Annual Staten Island JazzFest

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
the Universal Temple of the Arts upon the occasion of hosting its 24th
Annual Staten Island JazzFest on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at the Snug
Harbor Cultural Center; and
WHEREAS, Maurice Phillips, Artist/Teacher/Philosopher, and a group of
young artists including the organization's current Executive/Artistic
Director, Sajda Musawwir Ladner, founded Universal Temple of the Arts
(UTA) in 1967; and
WHEREAS, UTA set out to provide life enrichment programs to Staten
Island's grassroot communities under the mission of "quickening the
creative spirit and fostering brotherly love"; through the years, it has
continued to uphold this mission by working with professional artists to
provide instruction in and exposure to a unique blend of artistic,
cultural and social educational programs including art, music, dance and
sewing lessons; and
WHEREAS, UTA's conflict resolution/peer mediation workshops provide an
outlet to youth participants for discussing personal problems and public
issues happening locally and around the world that concern them; UTA
also offers computer literacy classes and programs skillfully designed
to incorporate literacy and mathematics in an effort to enhance a
child's performance in these core scholastic areas; and
WHEREAS, The population that UTA serves is primarily African-Americans
and Hispanics between the ages of six through 21 years; its students are
generally from low to moderate-income level households and the organiza-
tion focuses heavily on motivating the minority community to strive for
excellence in the creation and performance of art, in community service,
in educational pursuits, and in daily life; and
WHEREAS, The UTA acts as a resource and support system for minority
artists providing performance and presentation opportunities to showcase
their varied talents at events such as the Staten Island JazzFest; and
WHEREAS, Staten Island JazzFest is a collage of creativity expressing
the dynamics of jazz music, dance, singing and poetry; it is an assem-
blage of world class jazz artists and local professional and amateur
talent; and
WHEREAS, Each year these concerts provide performers with an opportu-
nity to showcase their work and talent, which in turn enables the audi-
ence to learn more about this type of music that has helped to shape
American culture; and
WHEREAS, Organizations which provide a means of preserving a part of
our rich American past and which contribute to the community in such
noble endeavors as aforementioned, are held in the highest regard by
this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Universal Temple of the Arts upon the occasion of hosting
its 24th Annual Staten Island JazzFest; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Universal Temple of the Arts.