Senate Resolution No. 985

BY: Senator PARKER

MOURNING the death of Henry Stern, former New York
City Parks Commissioner, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow that this Legislative Body,
representing the people of the State of New York, is moved this day to
pay tribute to an eminent man of indomitable dedication whose public
service and accomplishments will forever stand as a paradigm and
inspiration for others; and

WHEREAS, Henry Stern of the Upper East Side, Manhattan, died on
Thursday, March 28, 2019, at the age of 83; and

WHEREAS, Henry Stern distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and

WHEREAS, A truly brilliant man, Henry Stern served as the New York
City Parks Commissioner under Edward I. Koch from 1983 to 1989, and
under Rudolph W. Giuliani from 1994 to 2001, during which time he
brought the city's green spaces back into the forefront of public
consciousness; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious tenure as Parks Commissioner,
much of the modern park system was implemented and refined; he helped
launch the Natural Resources Group, Greenstreets Program, Parks
Inspection Program, Prospect Park Alliance, City Parks Foundation,
Partnerships for Parks and Historic House Trust; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Henry Stern led the transformation of
countless acres of worn-down, dusty and neglected green space into the
gems the city now enjoys; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, Henry Stern recruited tens
of thousands of volunteers and helped foster the use of nonprofits and
private fundraisers to make up for funding cuts; under Rudolph W.
Giuliani alone, he grew the city's parklands by six percent, while
restoring thousands of acres of forest and planting 100,000 new street
trees; and

WHEREAS, Prior to his years as Commissioner, Henry Stern served as a
councilman at large for Manhattan for eight years and held other
municipal posts in a four-decade career; and

WHEREAS, Henry Stern grew up in Inwood, Manhattan, graduating from
Bronx High School of Science at the age of 15; he went on to City
College before becoming the youngest member of Harvard Law School's
Class of 1957; and

WHEREAS, Henry Stern's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Henry Stern leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Henry Stern, former New York City Parks Commissioner,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Henry Stern.