LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Reverend Khader El-Yateem upon the occa-
sion of his designation as recipient of the 2012 Civic Award by the Bay
Ridge Community Council

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 Khader El-Yateem 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 Khad-
er El-Yateem upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
2012 Civic Award by the Bay Ridge Community Council, to be celebrated at
its 61st Annual Dinner Dance on Thursday, June 7, 2012, at El Caribe
Country Club in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Khader El-Yateem 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, Reverend Khader El-Yateem was born in the West Bank town of
Beit Jala in 1968; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from high school, Reverend Khader El-Yateem
studied at the Bethlehem Bible College and graduated with a diploma in
theology; from there, he studied at the Evangelical Theological Seminary
in Cairo, Egypt, and received his bachelor's degree; and
WHEREAS, After receiving his degree, Reverend Khader El-Yateem was
invited by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to come to
America and work as a Mission Developer among the Arab and Middle East-
ern community; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Khader El-Yateem studied at the Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Philadelphia and graduated with a Master's of Divinity; he
was called to start Salam Arabic Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, New York,
which became the first official Arabic Lutheran Church in North America;
and
WHEREAS, A valued member of his community, Reverend Khader El-Yateem
serves on many Boards in his community and throughout America; recently,
he was elected to serve on the board of the Arab Anti-Discrimination
Committee (ADC); and
WHEREAS, Reverend Khader El-Yateem is a community board 10 member; he
also serves on the boards of St. Nicholas home and the Arab American
Association of New York; he was one of the founders of the Unity Task
Force which was created with the main purpose of keeping our community
peaceful and in open communication; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Reverend Khader El-Yateem served as the chair of
the commission for multicultural ministries of the ELCA and as an execu-
tive board member of the Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle
Eastern Heritage; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Khader El-Yateem was featured in a documentary done
by PBS called "Caught in the Cross Fire: Arab Americans in War Time";
and
WHEREAS, Reverend Khader El-Yateem works tirelessly for justice and
peace on behalf of all people regardless of race or religion; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Reverend Khader El-Yateem has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Grace, and their four
children, 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 Reverend Khader El-Yateem 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 Khader El-Yateem upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2012 Civic Award by the Bay Ridge Community Council;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Khader El-Yateem.