LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Reverend Dr. Edward B. Smart upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the President's Award by the
Capital District YMCA on April 24, 2012

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those individuals within the Empire State who have made
strong contributions to their communities and who inspire others through
their model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Reverend Dr. Edward B. Smart upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the President's Award by the Capital District YMCA at its
Annual President's Award Dinner to be held on April 24, 2012, at the
Albany Marriott, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Smart was appointed to historical "First" Israel AME
Church of Albany, New York, in November 2004; during this period of
healing and restoration "First" Church has taken in over 750 converts
and accessions; community outreach has been sustained with programs such
as New Worship; Lunch and The Word; Season Dancers; Crescendo Dance
Troupes of Faith and Fulfilled; the Young Lions Wellness Ministry; Noon
Seniors; HIV/AIDS Ministry; and the Food Pantry; and
WHEREAS, Under Pastor Smart's leadership, First Israel AME Church has
incorporated the Dr. Grace T. Green Library; the Eight Week Summer Day
Camp, and the largest Monday Night Bible Study, all of which highlight
this dynamic ministry; over the past five years, the church has raised a
significant amount increasing its assets; and
WHEREAS, The acquisition of the "God With Us Center," formerly the
Albany Washington Avenue YMCA, has provided a central location for
reclamation and restoration, focusing on the minds, and spirit of the
at-risk youth of the Capital Region; encouraging local youth, the
Center, promotes community values, positive self-concepts, family,
friendship, brotherhood, a strong work ethic, healthy living and a
progressive willingness to change; and
WHEREAS, Before arriving at First Israel AME Church, Pastor Smart
provided leadership at the prestigious St. James AME Church in Atlantic
City, New Jersey; while there, he instituted substantial building reno-
vations; in 1991, he was appointed to Israel Memorial in Newark, New
Jersey, where he also was active in the fight to save children, youth
and the poor; in addition, he served as Chairman of "Newark Fighting
Back," an intercity program fighting against drugs and alcohol within
the community; and
WHEREAS, While serving as a member of the Essex County Welfare to
Workfare Task Force, Pastor Smart created new jobs and assisted in help-
ing the underserved find employment; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Smart attended Fisk University, where he was a Fisk
Jubilee Singer; he is a graduate of Penn State University and the Luth-
eran Theological Seminary, and earned a joint Masters and Doctorate from
Reading University; and
WHEREAS, A recipient of the Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc., Citizen's Award and
the Albany Common Council's Black History Award, Pastor Smart serves as
an Associate Dean of the Board of Examiners for the Western New York
Conference; he also holds various other positions within the Western New
York Conference and the AME Church; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the life in their community and have shown a long and sustained
commitment to excellence certainly have earned recognition and applause;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Reverend Dr. Edward B. Smart upon the occasion of his designation
as recipient of the President's Award by the Capital District YMCA on
April 24, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Dr. Edward B. Smart.