LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Reverend Samuel Alicea upon the occa-
sion of his designation for special recognition by the New York Hispanic
Clergy Organization on April 11, 2009

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
this noble Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the faithful
concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their energies
and purpose to the ministry of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish themselves
and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of
service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Reverend
Samuel Alicea upon the occasion of his designation for special recogni-
tion by the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization at its 21st Anniver-
sary Celebration to be held on Saturday, April 11, 2009, at the
Maestro's Caterers, Bronx, New York; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Alicea has brought to his ministry an overwhelming
spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and enlightenment
in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties, while always
displaying the highest standards of personal and professional integrity
and dedication; and
WHEREAS, After attending Rutgers University where he studied Criminol-
ogy, Reverend Alicea began his career as a Senior Corrections Officer
for the State of New Jersey; in 1991, he joined the Vineland City Police
Department where he was a field training officer and worked in the crime
scene investigations unit; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Alicea is currently retired but continues to be
involved in law enforcement as a police clergy liaison for the New York
City Police Department; and
WHEREAS, A third generation minister, Reverend Alicea's grandfather,
the late Reverend Pedro Ocasio Sr., and his father, Bishop Mariano
Alicea Sr., were pivotal figures in his decision to embark on ministry;
and
WHEREAS, Reverend Alicea's ministerial endeavors began in 1989, while
he was attending La Vid Verdadera Church, which at the time was minis-
tered by his parents, Rev. and Mrs. Mariano Alicea Sr.; and
WHEREAS, In 1993, Reverend Alicea began several ministries at the New
Vision Church of God; here, he started a children's ministry which began
with 12 children and a small church van and would later grow to serve
over 300 children with five school buses for transportation; and
WHEREAS, It was here that Reverend Alicea founded U.T.I. (under the
influence) youth ministries, a ministry for youth that was based on
drama presentations and human strength acts; centered on reaching inner
city youth with a positive message, the group has performed in local
parks, street corners, schools and concerts; over the years as its
message spread, its audience grew; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Alicea led the team of youth for several years as
they performed throughout several states and Canada; he would later
relocate to the state of Florida where he began the same ministry with a
different group of youth at the Liberty Christian Center; and
WHEREAS, This group would travel and minister throughout the state of
Florida, Columbia and Venezuela, where they donated countless clothes,
shoes, toys and medical supplies to children in numerous orphanages; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, Reverend Alicea was called to pastor the Hopewell
Church of God in New Jersey; there he founded Kids Church on Wheels, a
mobile Sunday school where the message of Jesus was taken to children

rather than the children coming to church; he also founded Well of Hope
Ministries, a ministry that provided summer day camp and a breakfast and
lunch program to less fortunate working families who were in need of
summer day care for their children; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, Reverend Alicea relocated to Orlando, Florida; here,
he and his wife would continue to be active in ministry but would also
begin their endeavors in business; they founded S.E.A. Enterprises &
Associates Inc. and started their own mortgage company, as well as real
estate sales office; Reverend Alicea would later become a very success-
ful project director for a real estate developer in Orlando; and
WHEREAS, In 2007 after the death of his father-in-law, the late Hector
Luis Marquez, Reverend Alicea along with his wife, and sister-in-law,
Anamaria Marquez, would relocate back to the Bronx, New York to take
over the family business, La Paz Funeral Services Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Following in the footsteps of the late Hector Luis Marquez,
Reverend Alicea has sponsored numerous community organizations, includ-
ing: the Altamonte Springs Babe Ruth Little League, A Books Christian
Academy, Mt. Dora Babe Ruth Baseball, Ark Productions of New York, Chil-
dren's Evangelical Christian Parade of New York, New York Hispanic Cler-
gy Organization, New York Police Department Police Explorers, and Kids
Against Drugs Baseball League of Brooklyn, New York, as well as many
other church and social organizations in the community; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Alicea and his wife, Eileen, are the proud parents
of three wonderful children, Sammy Jay, Hector Luis and Krystal Eliza-
beth; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has adminis-
tered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of
all; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Reverend Samuel Alicea upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, noting
his unremitting and compassionate faith and his exemplary service to
God, man, and his community, and extending to him the heartfelt best
wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of purposeful success and
well-being; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Samuel Alicea.