LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Helen M. Marshall upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the Lifetime Legacy Award by the East
Elmhurst-Corona Civic Association

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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Helen M. Marshall upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Lifetime Legacy Award by the East Elmhurst-Corona Civic Association;
this auspicious occasion will be celebrated at the Association's 60th
Annual Awards and Recognition Luncheon, to be held on Saturday, March
10, 2012, at Dante Caterers in Jackson Heights, New York; and
WHEREAS, The 18th Borough President of Queens, Helen M. Marshall is
the first African-American and second woman to hold the post of the
highest-ranking elected official in the Borough of Queens, New York; and
WHEREAS, During the tenure of Helen M. Marshall as Queens Borough
President, she has been responsible for significant funding and improve-
ments for projects of the New York City Department of Parks and Recre-
ation, cultural institutions, libraries, schools, and for the first CUNY
presence on the Rockaway Peninsula; and
WHEREAS, Helen M. Marshall is a founder of the Langston Hughes Library
in Corona, Queens, and also a founder of the Queens County Overall
Economic Development Corporation; and
WHEREAS, Prior to becoming Queens Borough President, Helen M. Marshall
served on the New York City Council for 10 years; she was the founding
chair of the Council's Higher Education Committee and a member of the
Housing, Buildings, Environmental Protection and Women's Issues commit-
tees; she also chaired the Council's Black and Latino Caucus; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Helen M. Marshall served five terms in the New
York State Assembly; prior to her service in the Assembly, she was an
early childhood teacher for eight years, and was the first Director of
the Langston Hughes Library and was also Director of the EMCOR Testing
Assessment and Placement Program for eight years; and
WHEREAS, Helen M. Marshall is a graduate of the New York City public
school system and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Queens
College; she has also taken graduate courses at the Bank Street College
and Long Island University; and
WHEREAS, A recipient of the President's Medal from Hunter College,
LaGuardia Community College and St. John's University, Helen M. Marshall
was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Science from the College of
Aeronautics; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband of more than 50
years, Donald Marshall, and her two children, Donald Jr. and Agnes
Marie; she is also the proud grandmother of Chandler and Chason; and
WHEREAS, Helen M. Marshall has stood constant in dignity, good grace
and humor throughout the entire period of her professional and community
service, a period of constructive involvement; she has earned the
respect and admiration of her colleagues, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Helen M. Marshall has displayed
throughout her life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Helen M. Marshall upon the occasion of her designation as recipi-
ent of the Lifetime Legacy Award by the East Elmhurst-Corona Civic Asso-
ciation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Helen M. Marshall.