Senate Resolution No. 3022

BY: Senator COMRIE

CONGRATULATING Norman Fairweather upon the
occasion of his retirement after 25 years of
distinguished service as the Director of Finance &
Administration of the First Presbyterian Church of
Jamaica, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Norman Fairweather upon the occasion of his retirement
after 25 years of distinguished service as the Director of Finance &
Administration of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, New York, to
be celebrated with a Party in his honor on Sunday, March 29, 2020, at
Antun's, Queens Village, New York; and

WHEREAS, Norman Fairweather began his illustrious career as the
Director of Finance & Administration of the First Presbyterian Church in
Jamaica on April 1, 1995; and

WHEREAS, Norman Fairweather spent the first two years in this
esteemed position completing the preparation of financials for the
period of 1991 to 1994, automating the information system to include the
financial records for all five First Church Funds, preparing an
accounting policies and procedures manual ensuring the implementation of
FASB technical standards, and preparing an employee policies and
procedures handbook; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he created templates to track and manage the
commercial properties of the church and the investment of the portfolios
with particular attention to restricted gifts, some dated as far back as
the 1800s; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of the renovation of the Sanctuary in
1996, and as a member of the Finance/Property Committee, Norman
Fairweather was a vital component of the three-year capital campaign to
raise enough funds to cover the cost of the renovation; and

WHEREAS, In 2002, under the able leadership of Norman Fairweather,
First Presbyterian Church committed itself as a purpose driven
organization, changing the accounting system and internal reporting
system and classifying expenditures into six major categories: Worship,
Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, Mission and Leadership; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Norman Fairweather was a member of the team which created the
First Jamaica Community & Urban Development Corp where he served as
Vice-Chairman of the Board; he also served as a leader in Empowered
Queens United for Action, and Leadership and Queens Power; and


WHEREAS, Furthermore, he actively participated in the purchasing of
the site for the Tree of Life Center in 2006, and serves as a member of
the development team responsible for the construction of 174 units of
residential housing, as well as 24,000 square feet of health and
community services; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his church and the community-at-large,
Norman Fairweather became a lay minister and the lead of the Older
Adults Ministry; he was also instrumental in securing funds for the
Wellness Ministry and the monitoring of neighbors and members with
diabetes and hypertension; and

WHEREAS, Norman Fairweather also represented the First Presbyterian
Church as Treasurer of the Jamaica Center Improvement Association and as
a member of Jamaica Community Partnership Program's Strategic Planning
Committee, as well as a member of Communities Together for Health Equity
(CTHE), a collective Vision for CBO Partnership in the New York State
Healthcare Delivery System; and

WHEREAS, For the past 25 years, Norman Fairweather rendered
faithful, conscientious and valuable service to First Presbyterian
Church, earning the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues;
and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Norman Fairweather upon the occasion of his retirement
after 25 years of distinguished service as the Director of Finance &
Administration of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, New York;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Norman Fairweather.