LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Yvonne J. Graham upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition for over a decade of distin-
guished service to the Borough of Brooklyn

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Yvonne J. Graham has given not only of her time and energies
but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Yvonne J.
Graham upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition for
over a decade of distinguished service to the Borough of Brooklyn, to be
celebrated at a Community Reception hosted by Brooklyn Historical Socie-
ty on Friday, January 27, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Yvonne J. Graham was born in Jamaica, West Indies, and moved
to New York to pursue higher education; and
WHEREAS, A trained Registered Nurse, Yvonne J. Graham holds a Bach-
elor's Degree in Health Administration and Community Health from St.
Joseph's College as well as a Master's Degree in Public Health from
Hunter College; and
WHEREAS, She also completed the Executive Program in Business Adminis-
tration at Columbia University School of Business and an honorary Doctor
of Law degree was conferred on her by her alma mater, St. Joseph's
College; and
WHEREAS, For over 20 years, Yvonne J. Graham has been a pioneer in the
area of public health; and
WHEREAS, As a registered nurse, Yvonne J. Graham served in the emer-
gency room of Brookdale Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Yvonne J. Graham founded the Caribbean Women's Health Associ-
ation (CWHA), serving as executive director and spearheading programs
that provide comprehensive, culturally-sensitive health care, immi-
gration and social support services to diverse communities; and
WHEREAS, For over a decade, Yvonne J. Graham has served as Brooklyn's
deputy borough president, working alongside the borough president in
managing the affairs of the borough; in addition, she directly oversees
health care policy and all health and human services for the borough
president; and
WHEREAS, Yvonne J. Graham has been called upon to contribute her time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Yvonne J. Graham is a longtime advocate for improving public
health and works tirelessly to respond to Brooklyn's unique epidemiolo-
gy; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable woman's vision was critical to founding
Brooklyn's first Center on Health Disparities, which is working to
reduce cardiovascular disease among minority communities; and
WHEREAS, She spearheaded the borough president's Cut the Salt campaign
to help residents battle high blood pressure and she aggressively cham-
pioned initiatives to reinvigorate Brooklyn's financially-strapped
medical institutions, including advocacy which ultimately saved Long
Island College Hospital's maternity and pediatric units; and
WHEREAS, To address the serious shortage of nursing professionals,
Yvonne J. Graham played an instrumental role in establishing the Brook-
lyn Nursing Partnership, which not only promotes the nursing profession
but encourages collaboration between hospitals and nursing schools to
increase the numbers of young people entering the profession; and

WHEREAS, In an effort to increase the number of women in leadership
positions in government, business and industry, Yvonne J. Graham spear-
headed the Women's Leadership Initiative, a partnership between academic
institutions, government agencies, community-based organizations and the
private sector that brings women together for dialogue and networking;
and
WHEREAS, Yvonne J. Graham has served on the Mayor's Committee on Immi-
gration, the New York City HIV Planning Council, and the Mayor's Commis-
sion on the Status of Women and has received numerous awards and honors
for her work in the community; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Yvonne J. Graham has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Yvonne J. Graham has displayed
throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Yvonne J. Graham upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition for over a decade of distinguished service to the
Borough of Brooklyn; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Yvonne J. Graham.