LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Phillip Agnew and the Dream Defenders
upon the occasion of their designation for special recognition by the
Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts

WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations devoted to improving the quality
of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and self-
worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Phillip Agnew and the Dream Defenders upon the occasion of their desig-
nation for special recognition by the Museum of Contemporary African
Diasporan Arts, celebrated on Thursday, May 14, 2015, in Brooklyn, New
York; and
WHEREAS, The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA)
uses the visual arts as a point of departure for exploring new artistic
productions across a variety of disciplines; through exhibitions and
programming, MoCADA incites dialogue on pressing social and political
issues facing the African Diaspora, and fosters a dynamic space for the
creation and continuous evolution of African Diaspora culture; and
WHEREAS, Phillip Agnew is head of the social justice advocacy organ-
ization Dream Defenders; he is part of a new generation of civil rights
leaders drawing from the rich legacy of black freedom struggles while
moving into the 21st century with a deft use of social media and some-
times scathing irony; and
WHEREAS, The Florida-based Dream Defenders has mobilized communities
nationwide to combat racial violence, profiling, and other injustices;
it has played a key role in amplifying the Black Lives Matter campaign;
and
WHEREAS, Phillip Agnew and the Dream Defenders have been called upon
to contribute their time and talents to countless worthy endeavors and
have always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Phillip Agnew and the Dream Defen-
ders have stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Phillip Agnew and the Dream Defenders
have displayed throughout their lives; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, 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 Phillip Agnew and the Dream Defenders upon the occasion of their
designation for special recognition by the Museum of Contemporary Afri-
can Diasporan Arts; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Phillip Agnew and the Dream Defenders.