LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Reverend Dr. Edward B. Smart upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the Joseph Powers Religious
Award by the Capital District Labor-Religion Coalition on May 16, 2012

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, Reverend Dr. Edward B. Smart has given not only of his time
and energies but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Reverend Dr.
Edward B. Smart upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Joseph Powers Religious Award by the Capital District Labor-Religion
Coalition, to be celebrated at its 15th Annual Memorial Awards Dinner on
Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at the Polish American Citizens Club in Albany,
New York; and
WHEREAS, The Joseph Powers Religious Award was established in honor of
Joseph Powers, who was very active with both the New York State and the
Capital District Labor-Religion Coalition, representing the Roman
Catholic Diocese of Albany until his death in 1994; he was a committed
and effective leader in the Capital District interfaith movement; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Edward B. Smart began his ministry as an ordained
Deacon and subsequent Ordained Elder, in 1977; he has pastored for over
35 years; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Edward B. Smart attended Fisk University and is a
graduate of Penn State University and Lutheran Theological Seminary,
where he received a joint master's and doctorate from Reading Universi-
ty; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Edward B. Smart provided leadership at the presti-
gious St. James AME Church in Atlantic City, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Appointed to Israel Memorial in Newark, New Jersey, in 1991,
Reverend Edward B. Smart was active in the fight to save children, youth
and the poor; and
WHEREAS, As founder of the Church and Clergy Fighting Back, Reverend
Edward B. Smart was instrumental in the institution of new after school
programs, and a 24-hour Day Care Center; and
WHEREAS, While serving as a member of the Essex County Welfare to
Workfare Task Force, Reverend Edward B. Smart created new jobs and read-
ied others for employment; and
WHEREAS, Appointed to historical "First" Israel AME Church in November
of 2004, Reverend Edward B. Smart began his leadership through this
period of healing and restoration; and
WHEREAS, Since that time, "First" Israel AMEC has taken in over 750
Converts and Accessions, with renewed themes of Leadership for Disciple-
ship; Can You Hear Me Now; Making a Difference; & Building the Temple;
and
WHEREAS, Reverend Edward B. Smart serves as an Associate Dean of the
Board of Examiners for the WNY Conference, Chair of Finance, Chair of
the PE Support, Ministerial Delegate to the 49th General Conference of
the AMEC in Nashville, Tennessee, and numerous positions of trust within
the WNY Conference and the AME Church; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Edward B. Smart has been called upon to contrib-
ute his time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and
has always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Reverend Dr. Edward B. Smart 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 Reverend Dr. Edward B. Smart has
displayed throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; 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 Joseph Powers Religious Award by the Capital
District Labor-Religion Coalition on May 16, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Dr. Edward B. Smart.