Senate Resolution No. 745

BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS

CONGRATULATING Thelma Jenkins upon the occasion of
celebrating her 100th Birthday on June 17, 2021

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate
and recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great
Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Thelma Jenkins upon the occasion of her 100th Birthday to
be celebrated on Thursday, June 17, 2021; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Yonkers, New York, for nearly 60 years,
Thelma Jenkins, a loving mother, grandmother and widow, has dedicated
her life to helping others in a variety of ways both personally and
professionally; and

WHEREAS, Thelma Jenkins was born on June 17, 1921, at Bellevue
Hospital in Harlem, New York; she graduated from Julliard Richmond High
School in Manhattan in 1940; that same year, she met and married her
husband Arthur Jenkins, a United States Army veteran of World War II,
and together they had one daughter, Dianne; and

WHEREAS, In 1959, Thelma Jenkins and her young family moved to
Yonkers, where she was responsible for the installation of her
neighborhood's first streetlight and mailbox closer to her residence;
she became a young widow in 1970, after the untimely death of her
husband; and

WHEREAS, Thelma Jenkins spent her illustrious career in service to
others as Head of Admissions at Lincoln Hospital in New York, New York,
where she oversaw three departments, including Property and Information;
she retired from this esteemed position in 1983; and

WHEREAS, After the sudden death of her daughter in 1994, Thelma
Jenkins volunteered at Wartburg Nursing Home in Mount Vernon, New York,
from 1995 to 2012, giving back to the community by sharing her time and
helping others; she also volunteered in Yonkers, sorting food and
clothing for the homeless; and

WHEREAS, Thelma Jenkins, with her zest for life, has inspired and
enhanced the lives of her family and friends; she enjoys spending time
with her granddaughter and talking about her life experiences during a
completely different era; furthermore, many young people love to come to
her for advice and to seek her wisdom; and

WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian has experienced the incredible
joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the
stamina and courage to savor a full life; and

WHEREAS, Thelma Jenkins has enriched the lives of those around her
through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have
witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and
awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while
themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Thelma Jenkins upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th
Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Thelma Jenkins.