LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the NAACP Brooklyn Branch upon the
occasion of hosting its Annual Freedom Fund Reception & Awards Ceremony
on May 5, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of the commu-
nity and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the NAACP Brooklyn Branch upon the occasion of hosting its Annual Free-
dom Fund Reception & Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at the
Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, On this day, the NAACP Brooklyn Branch's theme is "Building
on the Dream" and its special guest will be Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of
the Board for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People; and
WHEREAS, This year's honorees are: Hon. John L. Sampson, President's
Award; Hon. John Liu, Freedom Star Award; Melba Adams, Lucile Rose
Living Legend Award; Betty Long, Entrepreneurship Award; Muss Develop-
ment, Leadership in Commerce and Industry Award; Con Edison, Leadership
in Commerce and Industry Award; Samantha Bonnel, Young Leader Award;
Najja Pemberton, Young Leader Award; Rev. Dr. Susie Elliot, Religious
Service Award; L. Londell McMillan, Esq., Legal Leadership Award; Radio
Soleil D'Haiti, Valiant Service Award; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People (NAACP) is the largest and oldest civil rights organ-
ization in the nation; its history is one of activism and relentless
advocacy for safeguarding the rights of African-Americans and other
minority groups; from championing voter registration and economic empow-
erment to demanding equity in education, the NAACP has waged a tireless
fight to ensure the civil rights of all Americans; and
WHEREAS, The NAACP has played an unparalleled role in establishing
legal precedents to improve the lives of those who are socially, poli-
tically and economically disenfranchised; after years of fighting segre-
gation in public schools, the NAACP achieved one of its greatest legal
victories in 1954 with the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education;
this victory led to desegregation of schools across America; in 1963,
the NAACP worked tirelessly to ensure passing of the Equal Employment
Opportunity Act; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, the NAACP and its members were subjected to death,
death threats and police brutality as they fought for passing of the
Voting Rights Act; key provisions of the Act have been extended over the
years; most recently, in July 2006, the United States Congress extended
the Voting Rights Act for another 25 years; again, the NAACP was at the
forefront of a national campaign to ensure its extension; and
WHEREAS, In its almost 100 years of activism, the NAACP has changed
America and influenced the world; it is unimaginable what this great
nation would be without the relentless fight of the NAACP for freedom,
equality of opportunities and justice for all; as a result of the unwav-
ering work of the NAACP, generations of traditionally excluded citizens
can aspire to achieve the American Dream; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the NAACP has not changed since its establish-
ment; this mission, grounded in the struggles of African-Americans and
people of color in the United States, is the elimination of racial prej-
udice and removal of all barriers that stem from racial discrimination;

this is achieved through democratic processes and seeking enactment and
enforcement of federal, state and local laws that secure civil rights;
it is further realized through empowering and educating NAACP members
and all Americans about their constitutional civil rights, and the need
to defend these rights whenever and wherever they are threatened; and
WHEREAS, The NAACP works for and envisions an America where all citi-
zens enjoy equal rights, equality of opportunities and where the scourg-
es of racial hatred and discrimination are banished; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Branch of the NAACP was established in 1920; it
was a year of turmoil and pervasive violence against African-American
men; the first meeting of the Brooklyn NAACP was held at the Brooklyn
Academy of Music in December 1920; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the Brooklyn Branch has gained a reputation
as one of the largest, most effective and influential branches of the
NAACP; at its peak, the branch had a membership of some 10,000; the
Brooklyn Branch is poised to reclaim this rich history with its restruc-
turing; since its reorganization in June 2005, the branch has emerged
with a young and committed leadership; this leadership is determined to
build on the branch's rich legacy of activism and defending the social,
economic, political and legal rights of people of color; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the NAACP Brooklyn Branch upon the occasion of hosting its Annu-
al Freedom Fund Reception & Awards Ceremony on May 5, 2010; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the NAACP Brooklyn Branch.