Senate Resolution No. 1209

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMENDING Dr. William R. Nye upon the occasion of
his designation for special recognition by Brooklyn
Community Housing and Services on May 15, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Dr.
William R. Nye upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by Brooklyn Community Housing and Services to be celebrated
at its 40th Anniversary "Feels Like Home" Gala on Wednesday, May 15,
2019, at BKLYN Studios in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1978, Brooklyn Community Housing and Services
(BCHS) is committed to ending homelessness in Brooklyn and empowering
all the residents of its home community of Fort Greene and the
surrounding neighborhoods through innovative and comprehensive social,
educational and job-training programs that enable residents to achieve
maximum independence; and

WHEREAS, Every year, BCHS provides clean and safe supportive housing
and services to more than 1,000 formerly homeless families and single
adults and helps them to learn how to live independently; and

WHEREAS, BCHS' programs provide short-term, transitional and
permanent housing, homelessness prevention, personalized case
management, mental health care, on-site nursing, vocational training,
substance abuse counseling, recreational activities and other vital
services; and

WHEREAS, Born in Massachusetts in 1940, the son, grandson and
great-grandson of Nebraska Methodist and Congregationalist ministers,
William R. Nye graduated from Yale College and Union Theological
Seminary before being ordained a minister of the United Church of
Christ; and

WHEREAS, William R. Nye founded the Hawthorne Corners and Gentle
Shepherd Day Care Centers, was the weekly panelist on WMCA radio,
started a family, and began his doctoral studies in clinical psychology
at Adelphi University; and

WHEREAS, As the assistant minister of Plymouth Church in Brooklyn
Heights, Dr. William R. Nye joined forces with Dr. Mary Cox Golden,
Reverend Dr. Vilas, and others to found Pastoral & Educational Services,
which later changed its name to Brooklyn Community Housing and Services;
and

WHEREAS, Dr. William R. Nye eventually served as both Minister of
All Souls Bethlehem Church in Brooklyn and Director and Chief
Psychologist of the Blanton-Peale Community Counseling Centers; since

his retirement in 2003, he has maintained a private practice in
Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, When he is not helping someone, Dr. William R. Nye enjoys
relaxing on Lake Androscoggin in Maine, and loves to visit with his sons
and their families in New York and Hawaii; 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
commend Dr. William R. Nye upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by Brooklyn Community Housing and Services on May
15, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. William R. Nye.