Senate Resolution No. 292

BY: Senator PARKER

HONORING Regina Wilson upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition at the Young,
Gifted, & Black Entrepreneurial Awards 20th
Anniversary Gala on February 26, 2025

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor those
individuals and organizations which devote their purposeful energies to
improve the dignity and quality of life of those they serve, preserve
their heritage, and foster pride among them; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Regina Wilson upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition at the Young, Gifted, & Black Entrepreneurial Awards 20th
Anniversary Gala at Terrace on the Park in Queens, New York, on
Wednesday, February 26, 2025; and

WHEREAS, In 2006, the Young, Gifted, & Black (YGB) Entrepreneurial
Awards were established by Carl Gray as a platform to spotlight and
celebrate everyday individuals who serve as positive role models,
inspiring their peers through their accomplishments, perseverance, and
contributions; and

WHEREAS, Carl Gray's vision for the YGB Entrepreneurial Awards has
remained steadfast in ensuring recognition is given to those whose
contributions, though not always highlighted in mainstream media, have a
profound and lasting influence within their fields and society; and

WHEREAS, Regina Wilson is a Firefighter for the Fire Department of
the City of New York (FDNY), assigned to Engine Company No. 219; one of
only 170 women in a workforce of more than 11,000 firefighters and fire
officers, she has been a member of the Department for 25 years; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her firefighting career, Regina Wilson has held
various positions and titles; she has been a Probationary Firefighter
School Instructor, teaching engine operations; she was the first female
President of the Vulcan Society's 85-year history; this Society is an
organization of African American firefighters, EMTs, fire inspectors,
fire marshals, and civilian employees of the FDNY; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, Regina Wilson is Past President of the United
Women Firefighters (UWF) of the FDNY; currently, she serves as Vice
President of International Association of Black Professional Fire
Fighters (IABPFF); and

WHEREAS, Numerous awards, proclamations, and certificates for her
services in the community have been bestowed upon Regina Wilson; she
also had the honor of speaking at the 2023 Forbes Power Women's Summit;
additionally, she was a participant in the First Responders Facing
Health Hazards: 9-11 and Beyond Congressional Briefing in Washington,
D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Regina Wilson continues to advocate for equality for women
and people of color in firefighting services; she will always act as a
voice for her fellow responders on 9-11 to ensure the world never
forgets the dedication and service rendered by those individuals who
sacrificed so much in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, Besides her rescue efforts after 9-11, Regina Wilson has
also participated in the recovery work for Hurricane Katrina and
Hurricane Sandy; she is also a member of the FDNY Ceremonial Unit which
was created to address the planning of funeral ceremonies for the
families of fallen responders and other formal departmental events,
using her gift of singing at departmental functions, including the
events on the anniversary of 9-11 when President Bush had traveled to
New York for the occasion; and

WHEREAS, Regina Wilson has also had the privilege of singing at
numerous sporting events in the New York Metropolitan Area, and she sang
the National Anthem at a Catholic charity event which was attended by
Prince Harry of Great Britain; and

WHEREAS, Currently, Regina Wilson is working in External Affairs for
New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM); she is also an Operations
Liaison and Leadership Specialist for the Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) program; she is dedicated, working tirelessly to promote the
well-being of her fellow firefighters and members of her community; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
individuals and organizations, which give positive definition to the
profile and disposition of the communities of the State of New York,
profoundly strengthen our shared commitment to the exercise of freedom;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Regina Wilson upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition at the Young, Gifted, & Black Entrepreneurial Awards 20th
Anniversary Gala on February 26, 2025; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Regina Wilson.