LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Josefina Johnson, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of her community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Josefina Johnson of Brooklyn, New York died on May 18, 2012,
at the age of 70; and
WHEREAS, Born in Panama on October 8, 1941, Josefina Johnson, affec-
tionately known as J.J., migrated to the United States in the late
1950s; within a few years, she proudly became a wife and mother, and
later, a naturalized citizen of the United States; and
WHEREAS, J.J. began her career as an office temp for various well-
known organizations; after some years of developing her professional
skills and expertise in various clerical and office positions, she began
working for Kings County Hospital Center (KCHC) as an Executive Secre-
tarial Clerk Typist in 1969; and
WHEREAS, J.J. had a long, distinguished career at KCHC while simul-
taneously serving as an active union member, community activist, and
concerned citizen; she volunteered her time and talent to a number of
community, political, and union-based organizations during her tenure,
including the Political Action and Women's Committee for District Coun-
cil (DC) 37, the Crown Heights Advisory Council, the Asian Pacific Amer-
ican Labor Alliance, the National Baptist Convention Committee, Marcus
Garvey Community Youth Advisory Council, Kings County Hospital Community
Auxiliary and Advisory Boards, among many others; and
WHEREAS, Although J.J. eventually retired, she hardly slowed her pace;
she continued to be an active, dedicated, hard-working, community-or-
iented woman with a talent for networking; as a retiree, she remained a
steadfast community advocate, with a special passion for educating the
youth and protecting the rights of the elderly; and
WHEREAS, J.J. was well-known by many as a source of a wide range of
invaluable information, and for her drive to inform those in need of
their civic rights and duties; she sought out positions of leadership
that allowed her to best serve and assist her community at large; and
WHEREAS, J.J was proud to represent her community through DC 37, Local
1549, Community Planning Board District 17, Community School Board
District 18, and through I.S. 232 Winthrop School Beacon Board, and
eager to lend her support to various political leaders; and
WHEREAS, As a result of her zealous efforts on behalf of others, and
her relentless pursuit of community empowerment, J.J. received numerous
community service awards and recognitions for her achievements through-
out the past five decades; and
WHEREAS, Josefina Johnson distinguished herself in her profession and
by her sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
her community; and
WHEREAS, Josefina Johnson's commitment to excellence, and her spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by her husband Charles Parham, Josefina Johnson
is survived by her children, Terrance and Sharon, their respective
spouses, Jeannine and Ken, her six grandchildren, Justin, Terrance Jr.,
Cassandra, Brandon, Kendis, and Elias, her uncle Norman, as well as a
number of aunts and extended family; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Josefina Johnson leaves behind a legacy which will long

endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Josefina Johnson, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of her community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Josefina Johnson.