Assembly Resolution No. 916

BY: M. of A. Dickens

HONORING Dr. Hazel N. Dukes upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the Empire State and
Nation Builder Award by the New York State
Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators,
Inc., in conjunction with the observance of Women's
History Month

WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to countless women who have
contributed to the advancement of our culture through both their
traditional and non-traditional roles in society; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr. Hazel N.
Dukes upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Empire
State and Nation Builder Award by the New York State Association of
Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc. at its 47th Annual Scholarship
Gala on Sunday, February 18, 2018, in conjunction with the observance of
Women's History Month; and

WHEREAS, Hazel N. Dukes was born to Edward and Alice Dukes on March
17, 1932, in Montgomery, Alabama; aspiring to become a teacher, she
attended Alabama State Teachers College in 1949, before moving to New
York City with her parents in 1955; and

WHEREAS, While majoring in Business Administration at Nassau
Community College, Hazel N. Dukes became the first Black American to
gain a position at Nassau County Attorney's Office in 1966;
additionally, she taught children living in poverty as a community
organizer for Nassau County Economic Opportunity Commission (EOC); and

WHEREAS, Hazel N. Dukes graduated with a bachelor's degree in
Business Administration from Adelphi University in 1978, during which
time she worked for the New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation
(NYCOTB); in 1990, Mayor David Dinkins appointed Hazel Dukes as
President of NYCOTB; and

WHEREAS, While she found great success in business, Hazel N. Dukes
was also working for the NAACP, participating in many marches; she was
president of the Great Neck, Manhasset, Port Washington, Roslyn Chapter,
and as National President of the organization from 1989 to 1992; and

WHEREAS, In 1990, Hazel N. Dukes was awarded an Honorary Doctor of
Laws degree from the City University of New York School of Law, and in
2009 was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Medgar Evers
College, Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Hazel N. Dukes currently serves as President of the
NAACP New York State Conference as well as a member of the NAACP
National Board of Directors and NAACP Executive Committee; and

WHEREAS, Founded on February 12, 1909, the NAACP is the nation's
oldest, largest, and most widely recognized civil rights organization;
following in the footsteps of W. E. B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells-Barnett,
and Mary Church Terrell, Dr. Hazel Dukes continues the NAACP's historic

leadership to ensure political, educational, social and economic
equality and justice; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Dr. Hazel N. Dukes is a member of
the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., the National Black Leadership
Commission on AIDS, Inc., and the Executive Committee of the American
Baptist Churches, USA; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Hazel N. Dukes is the proud recipient of numerous
awards and accolades including Ellis Island Medal of Honor, YWCA City of
New York John La Farge Memorial Award for Interracial Justice, Guy R.
Brewer Humanitarian Award, and the 2007 The Network Journal's 25 Most
Influential Black Women in Business Award; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Dr. Hazel N. Dukes' biography has been
selected for publication in many journals and directories including:
Fisk University Library, Minority Women Contribution, American
Biographical Institute Personalities of Northeast, Who's Who Among
American Women and Who's Who Among Black Women; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Hazel N. Dukes upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Empire State and Nation Builder Award by the New York
State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc., in
conjunction with the observance of Women's History Month; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Hazel N. Dukes.