Senate Resolution No. 498

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

MOURNING the death of Meifang Yang, respected
economist, distinguished citizen and devoted member
of her community

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay proper
tribute to individuals of great character whose lives exemplify the
highest ideals of humanity; and

WHEREAS, With deep regret this Legislative Body records the passing
of Meifang Yang, of Chappaqua, New York, on Sunday, December 13, 2020,
at the age of 97, noting the loss of a citizen whose purposeful life and
endeavors contributed so much to the quality of life in her community;
and

WHEREAS, Meifang Yang was born on January 19, 1923, to Zengyi and
Yuzhen Yang in Shanghai, China, where she learned to speak English at a
young age; after graduating from St. John's University, she went on to
become a respected economist at the Bank of China for the majority of
her career; in her much deserved retirement, she was often asked to
serve as a professional advisor for other institutions such as the Bank
of Communications; and

WHEREAS, In 1950, Meifang Yang married Hanzhang Huang, and together,
they raised their daughter, Ying Huang; and

WHEREAS, After the death of her husband in 1996, Meifang Yang moved
to the United States to live with her daughter, son-in-law and two
granddaughters, and in 2009, she proudly became a United States citizen;
and

WHEREAS, Meifang Yang lived an exceptionally beautiful life,
overcoming two battles with cancer, first with breast cancer in her 40s
and then stomach cancer in her 90s; in 2014, she was featured in Estee
Lauder's Breast Cancer Awareness documentary, where she reflected on her
experiences, and was given the honor of ringing the closing bell at the
New York Stock Exchange; and

WHEREAS, Meifang Yang truly loved her family and thoroughly enjoyed
taking care of them; she liked to learn and discover new things and
could often be found coloring, writing in her journal or reading a good
book; and

WHEREAS, Meifang Yang is survived by her daughter, son-in-law, and
two granddaughters, who will miss her kind words, warm smile and
comforting spirit which will forever sustain them through both good and
bad days for the rest of their lives; and

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

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Meifang Yang, respected economist, distinguished
citizen and devoted member of her community; and be it further

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