Senate Resolution No. 2957

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

HONORING Esmeralda Simmons, Esq. upon the occasion
of her retirement after more than 34 years of
distinguished service as the Founding Executive
Director of the Center for Law and Social Justice

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

WHEREAS, Esmeralda Simmons, Esq. has given not only of her time and
energies but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently has been designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Esmeralda
Simmons, Esq. upon the occasion of her retirement after more than 34
years of distinguished service as the Founding Executive Director of the
Center for Law and Social Justice; and

WHEREAS, Esmeralda Simmons, Esq. committed herself from an early age
to advancing progress for people of African descent; her brilliance and
dedication marked her as a leader; and

WHEREAS, From this drive for excellence, Esmeralda Simmons, Esq.
quickly rose through the public sector ranks and was chosen for an array
of high-level roles, including First Deputy Commissioner for Human
Rights for New York State, Civil Rights Attorney for the United States
Department of Education, New York State Assistant Attorney General, and
New York City Assistant Corporation Counsel; and

WHEREAS, Despite her long list of professional accomplishments,
Esmeralda Simmons, Esq. felt persuaded by the urgency of justice,
joining forces with other prominent organizers to create the CLSJ at
Medgar Evers College, the first and only racial justice law center
focused on the needs of New Yorkers of African descent; and

WHEREAS, Under her able leadership, CLSJ became a hub for
transformation and empowerment, offering its community critical support
across an array of challenges; these challenges included immigration,
police brutality, red-lining, community advocacy training, education,
voting rights, and more; and

WHEREAS, Esmeralda Simmons, Esq. chose to work locally with
community organizations using advocacy, community education, coalition
building, and organizing methods; serving as both an activist and a
leader, she has been involved in the community empowerment movement in
Central Brooklyn and in progressive causes for her entire career; and

WHEREAS, As an attorney, Esmeralda Simmons, Esq. specializes in
racial justice issues, such as quality public education for students of
color, voting rights, and cultural rights; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, CLSJ's community forums and programs helped
thousands of vulnerable parents navigate the Department of Education and

foster care systems, providing resources and knowledge which empowered
them to effectively advocate for their children; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Esmeralda Simmons, Esq.,
CLSJ also supported immigrants and incubated the Medgar Evers College
Immigration Center which provided legal services for undocumented New
Yorkers at a time when such comprehensive support did not exist; and

WHEREAS, With Esmeralda Simmons, Esq. at the helm, CLSJ helped lay
the foundation for the development of the prolific "CUNY Citizenship
Now!" programs which are currently housed across City University of New
York campuses; and

WHEREAS, Esmeralda Simmons, Esq.'s, love for her community, her
passion for civil rights, community empowerment, and her fierce
determination earned her the respect of New York's political
establishment, and eventually her own seat at the table; she has proudly
served on several major public boards in New York City government,
including the New York City Board of Education and the New York City
Districting Commission, amongst others; and

WHEREAS, Esmeralda Simmons, Esq. is a deeply spiritual woman who is
grounded in African culture; she finds constant inspiration in the
vision of her ancestors, her belief in peace, and her respect for life
and cultural diversity; and

WHEREAS, Esmeralda Simmons, Esq. is the mother of three adult sons,
and the grandmother of seven grandchildren; she resides in the Bedford-
Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn with her husband, Lesly
Jean-Jacques; and

WHEREAS, After 34 years of leading the fight for justice at CLSJ,
Esmeralda Simmons, Esq. publicly announced her retirement on January
20, 2020; her legacy will shine on as the Center for Law and Social
Justice continues to fight for the rights of citizens of African
descent; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Esmeralda Simmons, Esq. upon the occasion of her retirement after
more than 34 years of distinguished service as Founding Executive
Director of the Center for Law and Social Justice; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Esmeralda Simmons, Esq.