LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Bedford Academy Boys Basket-
ball Team and Coach Robert Phelps upon the occasion of capturing the
Public Schools Athletic League Class A Championship

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by
dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical develop-
ment of the young people of this State, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, imparting a desire for success and developing a sense of
fair play and competition; and
WHEREAS, The Bedford Academy Boys Basketball Team are the Public
Schools Athletic League Class A Champions; Bedford Academy defeated the
South Bronx by a score of 76-63; and
WHEREAS, The Bedford Academy Panthers have won their first city cham-
pionship title in history; the team's academic average is 90 percent,
with the highest average being 99.93; and
WHEREAS, Established in September of 2003, Bedford Academy High School
was founded solely for providing quality education in the Bedford Stuy-
vesant community; in its first year, the school was held in the basement
of Benjamin Banneker High School, and its second year at Brooklyn High
School for the Arts; Bedford Academy moved into its new home on Bedford
Avenue in September of 2005; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Principal Adofo Muhammad, Bedford
Academy is presently ranked as the number two school in New York City
and number one in Brooklyn, earning an "A" on the New York City Depart-
ment of Education's Progress Report since its inception; and
WHEREAS, Ninety percent of the students who attend Bedford Academy
have passed every Regents exam in all subject areas, thereby earning
Advanced Regents diplomas and making Bedford Academy's graduation rate
ninety-six percent; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of Coach Robert Phelps and his team of outstanding
assistant coaches, skilled and inspirational tutors, respected for their
ability to develop potential into excellence; and
WHEREAS, The team's overall record is outstanding, and the team
members were loyally and enthusiastically supported by family, fans,
friends and the community at large; and
WHEREAS, The hallmarks of the Bedford Academy Boys Basketball Team,
from the opening game of the season to participation in the Champion-
ship, were a brotherhood of athletic ability, of good sportsmanship, of
honor and of scholarship, demonstrating that these team players are
second to none; and
WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the team members have proven
themselves to be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favor-
ably on their school; and
WHEREAS, Coach Robert Phelps and his dedicated staff have done a
superb job in guiding, molding and inspiring the team members toward
their goals; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and Coach Robert Phelps and these outstanding athletes
have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a
tradition of their school; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Bedford Academy Boys Basketball Team; its members:
Lamel Bannerman, Leonard Brown, Malik Brown, Gianni Carrington, Yves

Casimir, Brandon Craigwell, Brent Jones, Christophe Kotel, Anthony Mason
Jr., Olisaeloka Olisah, Tavonte Reid, Massamba Samb, Sean Snagg, Denzel
Williams, Amadu Baam Cinque Durham, Cody Freeman, Mikal George, and
Donavin Savage and Coach Robert Phelps on their outstanding season and
overall team record; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Bedford Academy Boys Basketball Team, Coach Robert
Phelps, and to Principal Adofo Muhammad.