LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Samuel Pinn upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
Samuel Pinn upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, This special event was held at the Fraternity's annual Carter
G. Woodson Memorial Awards celebration on February 25, 2011, at the
First AME Zion Church in Brooklyn, New York; the ceremonial theme was: A
Celebration of Excellence: Recognizing the Accomplishments of Outstand-
ing African Americans; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Central Brooklyn, Samuel Pinn is the
co-founder and Chairman of the Fort Greene Senior Citizens Council,
Inc., the largest Black agency serving the elderly in New York State;
the Council sponsors 18 comprehensive senior citizen centers, located
throughout Brooklyn; these centers serve approximately 3400 seniors
daily along with the Council's sponsorship of an invaluable meals-on-
wheels program serving more than 800 sick and shut-in seniors daily; and
WHEREAS, From 1971-1987, Samuel Pinn was chairman and director of
independent CORE; during that era, he was actively engaged in the
continuing struggle for the following: educational reform of New York
City's public school system; community control of the police and the
struggle against police and mob violence; economic social justice; and
the empowerment of people of African descent through protest; and
WHEREAS, Samuel Pinn co-founded the Randolph Evans Community Crisis
Center, the Randolph Evans Scholarship Fund, and the National Black
United Front; the Scholarship Fund has awarded more than 300 scholar-
ships since its inception in 1979 to deserving graduating high school
seniors; and
WHEREAS, Because of Samuel Pinn's enduring interest in educational
reform, he was elected to Community School Board No. 16 in Bedford Stuy-
vesant in 1977; while on the Board, he served as its chairman until 1980
and in that role, he was instrumental in the appointment of the late Dr.
Felton Lewis as the first African American superintendent in the
District; and
WHEREAS, Together these two men worked and successfully improved the
District's reading and math scores as well as improved the District's
attendance rates; and
WHEREAS, Samuel Pinn has a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from
Morgan State University, a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers
University, and a Doctor of Laws degree bestowed by Mary Holmes College;
and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Cynthia, their chil-
dren, Sam III, Gregory, and the late Charles, as well as their grand-
children, Sydney and Cameron, all of whom feel privileged to be a part
of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Samuel Pinn upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Samuel Pinn.