LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring David Franklin Bluford upon the occasion
of his designation for special recognition by the Alpha Phi Alpha Senior
Citizens Center, Inc.

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, David Bluford 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 David Franklin
Bluford upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by
the Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Citizens Center, Inc. to be celebrated at its
Valentine's Gala on Saturday, February 12, 2011; and
WHEREAS, David Bluford is the quintessential educator; he has worked
admirably at every level of public education including a teacher,
program coordinator, principal, assistant superintendent and college
professor; in doing so, he has personally touched the lives of thousands
of New York City school children and parents in a very positive way; and
WHEREAS, Always using his vast professional experience to help others,
David Bluford has participated in a multitude of honorable organizations
throughout his lifetime; and
WHEREAS, He is a past Chairman of the Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Citizens
Center; and, in the 1960s, served as the Director of Community Education
for Oceanhill Brownsville experimental district; furthermore, he served
as a Director of Upward Bound at Queens College; is a founder and Execu-
tive Director of the David N. Dinkins Center for Physical Culture in Far
Rockaway, Queens; and is an adjunct professor in the Brooklyn College
Principal Center; and
WHEREAS, David Bluford is constantly reinforcing his commitment to the
improvement of mankind through his steadfast desire to teach our youth,
parents, seniors and the public the responsibility to one's own communi-
ty; and
WHEREAS, Over his illustrious career, David Bluford has received
numerous awards and accolades, including induction into the Winston
Salem Forsyth County Basketball Hall of Fame and the Fayetteville State
University Basketball Hall of Fame; in addition, he received the Hazen
Fellowship from St. Johns College; the Jamaica Board of the NAACP
Outstanding Educators Award; and the District 29 Distinguished Service
Award; and
WHEREAS, Having published and written several articles for various
papers and for the National Association of Secondary Principals, David
Bluford's civic involvement is well-known; and
WHEREAS, David Bluford has participated in such noble organizations as
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; the NAACP; the Urban League; Community
School Board 29; the Lebanon Lodge of Jamaica; and 32 Degree Shriner;
and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Fayetteville State University and the City
University of New York Hunter College, David Bluford has also advanced
his studies at Columbia University, St. John's College, Walden Universi-
ty, and University of Massachusetts, where he completed requirements
towards his Ph.D in Education; and
WHEREAS, David Bluford has been called upon to contribute 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, David Bluford has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Renee, their three
beautiful daughters, Pamela, Paula, and Penny, and their six adoring
grandchildren, Chadwick, Camille, Christina, Kelly, Kipp, and Myles, all
of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his
achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which David Bluford has displayed through-
out his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend individ-
uals of outstanding character, who have shown initiative and commitment
toward constantly pursuing higher goals for themselves, and acting as
role models of leadership to be emulated by both peers and young people;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor David Franklin Bluford upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Citizens Center, Inc.;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to David Bluford.