Senate Resolution No. 176

BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS

MOURNING the death of Cecil Corbin-Mark,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Cecil Corbin-Mark, a lifelong resident of Hamilton Heights
in Harlem, New York, died on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at the age of
51; and

WHEREAS, A graduate of Hunter College with a degree in political
science, Cecil Corbin-Mark later earned an MPhil in International
Relations from Oxford University in the U.K., where he studied the
political traditions of the African diaspora in the Americas; and

WHEREAS, A leading environmental advocate who organized communities
to push for health protections and climate action, Cecil Corbin-Mark was
deputy director of the group WE ACT for Environmental Justice; and

WHEREAS, Cecil Corbin-Mark joined the Harlem-based WE ACT not long
after its inception in the late 1980s, and spent the ensuing 26 years
with the group, helping it grow into a major player in the environmental
justice movement; and

WHEREAS, Colleagues from WE ACT praised his role in the passage of
environmental protection laws, his wide-ranging knowledge of policy and
his kindness toward others in the movement; and

WHEREAS, Cecil Corbin-Mark assisted in the passage of a slew of
environmental justice laws, from lead paint regulations to emission
reductions targeting climate change; he advocated at City Hall and the
State Capitol and testified before Congress in July about the health
risks of climate change; and

WHEREAS, Cecil Corbin-Mark distinguished himself in his profession
and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of his community; his commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and

WHEREAS, Cecil Corbin-Mark is survived by his mother, Winnifred
Corbin; his father, Luces Mark; his second mother, Merlyn Corbin; his
Godson, Nigel Holder; and other family members; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Cecil Corbin-Mark 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
mourn the death of Cecil Corbin-Mark, 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 Cecil Corbin-Mark.