Senate Resolution No. 1430

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

HONORING Demarius Coleman upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Harambee Achievement
Award by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
on April 8, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those young people within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who serve as role
models for their peers; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
honor Demarius Coleman upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the Harambee Achievement Award by the National Council of Negro
Women, Inc., to be feted at its 32nd Annual Harambee Celebration on
Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the Medgar Evers College Cafeteria, in
Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) is a body
of national African American women's organizations and community based
sections; founded in 1935 by Mary McLeod Bethune, the NCNW strives to
lead, develop, and advocate for women of African descent as they support
their families and communities through research, and national and
community-based services and programs on health, education, and economic
empowerment issues in both the United States and Africa; and

WHEREAS, Through 39 national affiliates and more than 240 sections,
NCNW has reached and supported nearly four million women; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Section of the National Council of Negro
Women, Inc. was organized on January 22, 1962, at the Bedford YMCA by
Odessa L. Skeene, and received its Charter on March 12, 1962; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Section maintains a strong commitment to its
young people through education, outreach programs, counseling and
recognition; it sponsors community ventures to enhance the health and
social services of residents through seminars, health fairs and voter
registration campaigns for self-empowerment; and

WHEREAS, Demarius Coleman is receiving this prestigious award for
his exemplary academic accomplishments, community service and church
activities; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Baldwin, New York, Demarius Coleman was born
on February 25, 2003; right from the beginning, he has excelled
academically, athletically, and socially; from his very first counselor
at his day care center to his 8th grade Spanish teacher, they all agree
that he is a delightful, enjoyable, intelligent student who is a
pleasure to be around; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his teachers, Demarius Coleman is well-liked
by his fellow students and teammates; before leaving his neighborhood
school and attending Friends Academy, he elected to stay with his

existing class so that he could graduate elementary school with his
classmates; and

WHEREAS, Today, Demarius Coleman is meeting the challenge of the
school's rigorous curriculum while playing on the Baldwin Rockets travel
soccer team, as well as the school soccer, basketball and track teams;
and

WHEREAS, This remarkably talented young man has been the recipient
of many academic awards, and has won soccer championships with his team;
he also tied the school track record in hurtling; in addition to sports,
he enjoys writing and was invited to co-write a play for his school; and

WHEREAS, When he is not in school, Demarius Coleman loves to spend
time with his family and his dog, Dj, and play games; and

WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, this
scholar now stands honorably, with just pride in his accomplishments and
in eager anticipation of future challenges, understanding and
appreciating the caring counsel and support provided by his teachers,
minister, and family; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Demarius Coleman upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the Harambee Achievement Award by the National Council of Negro
Women, Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Demarius Coleman.