LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating Bedford Stuyvesant's first Memorial
Day Parade on May 28, 2012 and honoring Job Mashariki upon the occasion
of his designation as the Grand Marshal of the Parade

WHEREAS, Each and every city, town, village and hamlet within its
borders resonates with the rich and noble history of New York State and
this nation; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend events which symbolize the historical, social and cultural
development of this great State and embody the spirit of the principles
upon which this nation was founded, and to applaud individuals who have
dedicated their life's work in support and furtherance of those princi-
ples; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate Bedford Stuyvesant's first Memorial Day Parade on May 28, 2012,
and to honor Job Mashariki upon the occasion of his designation as the
Grand Marshal of the Parade; and
WHEREAS, On Memorial Day, observed annually on the last Monday of the
month of May, we honor those Americans who gave their lives in defense
of their country, whether in the Civil War which divided our nation, or
in times of war since, in times of peace, in police actions and minor
skirmishes, in peacekeeping roles and in missions to foreign lands to
uphold the cherished principles of liberty and democracy upon which our
grand Republic was founded; and
WHEREAS, Hosting this fine event is the Black Veterans for Social
Justice, Inc. (BVSJ); the ceremony will also feature the unveiling of
the community's Bedford-Stuyvesant Veterans Memorial; and
WHEREAS, A fitting choice for Grand Marshal of Bedford Stuyvesant's
first Memorial Day Parade is Job Mashariki; he is a Founder and was the
President/CEO of BVSJ and guided the organization through 31 years of
service to veterans and their families, as well as the community at
large; he stepped down from this position and retired on July 31, 2010;
and
WHEREAS, Job Mashariki is also a father and husband, former business-
man and a community activist; he has been guided by a basic principle of
both sacrificing and sharing a considerable amount of time and resources
to help liberate his people; and
WHEREAS, Born in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, Job Mashariki earned
his Associate's degree from New York Technical College, Bachelor's
degree in Sociology and Master's from the City University of New York;
he is a graduate of the Columbia University School of Business Executive
Program; and
WHEREAS, Job Mashariki has been cited extensively for his dedication,
organization and innovative approaches to service delivery; his commit-
ment, leadership and vision of community development as well as provid-
ing services to veterans and their families continues to be reflected
through BVSJ's extensive programs today and will continue to be well
into the future; and
WHEREAS, Through Job Mashariki's leadership and guidance, BVSJ will
continue to fight for veterans issues which include homelessness,
HIV/AIDS, poverty, discrimination, lack of education, unemployment and
racism; and
WHEREAS, Presently, Job Mashariki serves on the Boards of: Fort Greene
Senior Citizens Council, Inc.; New York City Coalition for Veterans in
Pain and Distress, President; Bedford Stuyvesant Legal Services Corpo-
ration; National Coalition of Homeless Veterans; Coalition for the

Improvement of Bedford Stuyvesant; Black Agency Executives, Vice Presi-
dent; National Association of Black Veterans, Regional Director; and
Human Services Council of New York City; and
WHEREAS, As we observe and remember our deceased veterans on Memorial
Day, we recall their brave and noble deeds which have served to maintain
our most precious and cherished freedoms and honor those who continue to
work diligently to support and sustain them; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate Bedford Stuyvesant's first Memorial Day Parade on May 28,
2012, and to honor Job Mashariki upon the occasion of his designation as
the Grand Marshal of the Parade; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Job Mashariki.