LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Dr. Willie Bryant, distin-
guished citizen, devoted community and national civil and human rights
leader

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavors
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willie Bryant, of Wesley Hills, New York, died on Monday,
December 28, 2015, at the age of 77; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willie Bryant distinguished himself in his profession as
a caring dentist for 35 years and was respected by all who knew him; and
WHEREAS, Known for his community organization and human touch which
brought people together, Dr. Willie Bryant was a human rights advocate
who vigorously fought for civil rights for 45 years; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willie Bryant was recognized for his work in erecting the
Thurgood Marshall Monument in 2002, to honor the United States Supreme
Court decision on desegregating the Hillburn school system in 1943; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, this incredibly prominent community organizer was
inducted into the Rockland County Human and Civil Rights Hall of Fame;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Willie Bryant is acknowledged as a founding
sponsor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, As a proud, lifelong member of the NAACP, Dr. Willie Bryant
served as the Florida A&M Chapter President; and
WHEREAS, Due to his leadership skills, Dr. Willie Bryant was instru-
mental in organizing a massive sickle-cell anemia screening project
which helped more than 1,200 residents in Ossining, New York; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willie Bryant was credited with building the Rockland
Employees Federal Credit Union, which now has 7,000 members; he served
as the credit union's President and Treasurer until his passing; and
WHEREAS, Proudly serving his country as a former Army Officer, Dr.
Willie Bryant was also an Eagle Scout and Scout Master as well as a
former Chapter President of the Rockland County Alpha Phi Fraternity;
and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man was a pioneer in the civil rights movement
whose sincere dedication and accomplishments to Rockland County are
greatly valued; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willie Bryant's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, A tireless advocate for civil and human rights, this remark-
able man's life continues to serve as an inspiration to others; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willie Bryant is survived by his wife, Goldie L. Battle,
his son, Wendell, and his daughter, Amy Diane Bryant; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
justice, Dr. Willie Bryant leaves behind a legacy of fighting for free-
dom which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a
comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Dr. Willie Bryant, distinguished citizen, devoted
community and national civil and human rights leader; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Dr. Willie Bryant.