Senate Resolution No. 1211

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMENDING Dr. Mary Cox Golden upon the occasion
of her 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. Mary
Cox Golden upon the occasion of her 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, Mary Cox Golden was born and raised in Manhattan, New York,
where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in zoology from Barnard
College; and

WHEREAS, After raising four children, Mary Cox Golden furthered her
education by obtaining her master's degree from New York University and
a PhD from City University of New York in Educational Psychology; and

WHEREAS, In 1961, Dr. Mary Cox Golden and her family moved to
Brooklyn, and shortly thereafter, became active members of St. Ann's
Church and her community; Mary, Reverend Dr. Skip Vilas, and a group of
clergy and concerned citizens from Downtown Brooklyn became alarmed by
the growing number of homeless people with a mental illness, and
subsequently, formed BCHS; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Dr. Mary Cox Golden, BCHS
quickly established itself as a pioneer in the developing supportive
housing field; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her valuable work with BCHS, Dr. Mary Cox
Golden had an accomplished practice in child evaluations and therapy
until she retired professionally in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Today, Dr. Mary Cox Golden resides in Brooklyn, and remains
involved in BCHS, child welfare, and preserving the planet for her many
grandchildren; 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. Mary Cox Golden upon the occasion of her 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. Mary Cox Golden.