Senate Resolution No. 102

BY: Senator BENJAMIN

CELEBRATING the life and exemplary career of The
Honorable David N. Dinkins, former Mayor of New York
City, distinguished citizen, and devoted member of
his community

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, representing the people of the State
of New York, is moved this day to pay tribute to an eminent gentleman of
indomitable faith and dedication whose public service and countless
accomplishments will forever stand as a paradigm and inspiration for
others; and

WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow and deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the passing of The Honorable David N. Dinkins,
noting the significance of his purposeful life and triumphs; and

WHEREAS, David N. Dinkins, the first and only Black Mayor of New
York City, died on Monday, November 23, 2020, at his residence in
Manhattan at the age of 93; and

WHEREAS, David Norman Dinkins was born to Sarah "Sally" Lucy and
William Harvey Dinkins Jr. on July 10, 1927, in Trenton, New Jersey;
upon the separation of his parents, he and his sister were raised by
their father, a barber and real estate agent; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Trenton Central High School in 1945,
David N. Dinkins proudly served his country as one of the Montford Point
Marines, the first Black Marines to serve in the branch, from July 1945
through August 1946, attaining the rank of private first class; for his
admirable service, he was the recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal
by the United States Senate and House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, In 1950, David N. Dinkins earned his bachelor's degree cum
laude from Howard University, and six years later, he obtained his
Bachelor of Laws from Brooklyn Law School; shortly thereafter, he began
his esteemed law career and became interested in politics; and

WHEREAS, In 1966, David N. Dinkins served as a member of the New
York State Assembly for the 78th District, and held the leadership
positions of President of the New York City Board of Elections from
1972-1973, New York City Clerk from 1975-1985, and Manhattan Borough
President from 1986-1989; and

WHEREAS, On November 7, 1989, David N. Dinkins was elected Mayor of
New York City, defeating three-term incumbent Mayor Ed Koch; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Mayor David N. Dinkins strived to
improve race relations and enthusiastically promoted New York City's
demographic diversity as a "gorgeous mosaic"; in his attempt to lower
the city's crime rate, he hired Raymond W. Kelly as Police Commissioner,
implemented a hiring program that expanded the police department by
nearly 25%, and diligently worked to keep schools open into the evening,

an award-winning initiative that kept tens of thousands of teenagers off
the street; and

WHEREAS, Mayor David N. Dinkins was also instrumental in preserving
the public status of garbage removal, and greatly increased New York
City's economy by creating high profile events such as Fashion Week,
Restaurant Week, and Broadway on Broadway and signing a last-minute
99-year lease with the USTA National Tennis Center; and

WHEREAS, This renowned public servant was committed to cleaning up
the City by revitalizing Times Square and rehabilitating dilapidated
housing in northern Harlem, the South Bronx, and Brooklyn, and for his
great success in decreasing the size of the city's homeless shelter
population to its lowest point in two decades; and

WHEREAS, Upon the end of his political career, David N. Dinkins
joined the Columbia University School of International and Public
Affairs as a professor of professional practice in 1994, and served as a
full-time faculty member until his death; and

WHEREAS, A man of many interests and passions, David N. Dinkins was
actively involved with numerous worthy organizations including the
United States Tennis Association, the Jazz Foundation of America, the
New York City Global Partners, the Children's Health Fund, the
Association to Benefit Children, the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund,
Independent News & Media, the Black Leadership Forum, the Council on
Foreign Relations, and the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS;
and

WHEREAS, In 2013, David N. Dinkins published A Mayor's Life:
Governing New York's Gorgeous Mosaic, and his radio program "Dialogue
with Dinkins" aired on WLIB radio in New York City from 1994-2014; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his loving wife of 63 years, Joyce, David N.
Dinkins is survived by one daughter, Donna, and one son, David Jr., as
well as numerous colleagues, friends and fellow New Yorkers who will
long cherish his memory; and

WHEREAS, David N. Dinkins truly loved people, especially children,
and spent most of his life trying to make the five boroughs of New York
City, and New York State as a whole, a better place for them to live,
work and play; and

WHEREAS, Over a long and meritorious life of service on behalf of
others, David N. Dinkins was a man of action, of integrity, and of
commitment, whose true compassion was generously given to all who knew
him; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, David N. Dinkins 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 in a
moment of silent tribute to The Honorable David N. Dinkins,
philanthropist, best-selling author, dedicated lawyer, and steadfast
public servant; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of The Honorable David N. Dinkins.