LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Fernande Valme Ministries, Inc. upon
the occasion of hosting its Sixth Annual Gala on March 21, 2015

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Fernande
Valme Ministries, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its Sixth Annual
Gala to be celebrated on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at the Grand Prospect
Hall, Brooklyn, New York; the theme of this year's celebration is "We
Have Only Just Begun"; and
WHEREAS, Fernande Valme was born on July 23, 1924, in Leogane, Haiti,
a small village outside the nation's capital, Port-au-Prince; throughout
her childhood, she was committed to the Episcopal Church in her village,
and worked as a volunteer in her community traveling with her church
pastor to visit the sick; and
WHEREAS, As a young woman, Fernande Valme possessed a strong passion
for helping people; she managed the choir of the First Baptist Church of
Port-au-Prince for 29 years, and held group prayer sessions in her own
home; and
WHEREAS, Over time, these prayer sessions evolved into Fernande
Valme's home becoming a full-fledged house of prayer renowned for help-
ing those in need of spiritual healing; and
WHEREAS, In 1971, Fernande Valme moved to East Flatbush, Brooklyn, and
again started small prayer sessions out of her own home; these prayer
sessions have since expanded to become Fernande Valme Ministries and are
now based at the Fernande Valme Community Center in Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, The late Fernande Valme's philanthropy, strong faith, integ-
rity, and love have helped many people over many decades and her memory
continues to endure; and
WHEREAS, Fernande Valme Ministries, Inc., under the illustrious guid-
ance of President Rode Valme, remains dedicated to continuing the vision
of its founder; it has constructed a school built to educate 500 chil-
dren located in Fernande Valme's hometown of Leogane; and
WHEREAS, Fernande Valme Ministries, Inc. also plans to construct a
nursery, hospital, and jobs training center for the benefit of the
Leogane community; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Fernande Valme Ministries, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its
Sixth Annual Gala; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rode Valme, President, Fernande Valme Ministries, Inc.