LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Maria Lawton Senior Center upon
the occasion of the celebration of its 60th Anniversary on November 18,
2011

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to
the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past
contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable
asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those
illustrious organizations of the State of New York whose purposeful
endeavors serve to enhance the quality of life for the cherished senior
citizens in their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Maria
Lawton Senior Center of Brooklyn, New York, upon the occasion of the
celebration of its 60th Anniversary on Friday, November 18, 2011, at
Fleur De Lis, Ridgewood, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Maria Lawton Senior Center began 60 years ago as the
Stuyvesant Center for Older People; and
WHEREAS, The Center was the vision of Maria Coles Perkins Lawton,
April 30, 1864 - March 1, 1946, a leading politician and educator; she
was educated in Lynchburg High School, Richmond Institute and Howard
University; and
WHEREAS, Maria Coles Perkins was the beloved wife of The Reverend
William R. Lawton, and the loving mother of seven children; and
WHEREAS, This outstanding woman was designated by Governor Glynn of
New York, to represent the State at the Educational Congress, in both
Oklahoma and Missouri; and
WHEREAS, She was the Director of the 50th Anniversary Emancipation
Celebration and represented the Women of New York State at the Labor
Conference of Women, Washington D.C. in 1924; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Maria Lawton served as Director of the Eastern
Division at the 1924 Republic National Presidential Convention, and was
President of the Empire State Federation for 10 years; and
WHEREAS, For 20 years, Maria Lawton was a Reporter on the staff of the
Brooklyn Standard Union, and Chairman of Program and Literature,
National Association of Colored Women; and
WHEREAS, The Maria Lawton Senior Center, the first African-American
senior center, was originally housed on Bridge Street in Downtown Brook-
lyn; it relocated to the Y.M.C.A. on Third Avenue, and then to St.
Philips Parish and eventually to Siloam Presbyterian Church; and
WHEREAS, As the membership flourished in excess of 300 seniors, the
Maria Lawton Senior Center relocated to the Eleanor Roosevelt Houses
where it remains to the present; and
WHEREAS, The program was formerly funded by the Human Resources Admin-
istration and is now sponsored by Fort Greene Council, Inc. and funded
by the New York City Department for the Aging as of June 1, 1992; and
WHEREAS, The "Oldest Senior Center in Brooklyn" is under the illustri-
ous leadership of Executive Director, Claudette Macey; Director, Viola
E, Andrews; and Chairman, Sam Pinn; and
WHEREAS, With a large and growing membership, the Maria Lawton Senior
Center continues to thrive and provide senior citizens, 60 years of age
and over, with a full range of social services, nutritious meals, health
and wellness promotion and recreational activities; and
WHEREAS, This significant milestone is an excellent opportunity to
recognize the special contributions of the Maria Lawton Senior Center
and the dedicated individuals who strive to better the quality of life
for senior citizens in the community; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize and
celebrate the legacy of New York's senior citizens who have experienced
tumultuous changes in the 20th Century, including the dawn of the nucle-
ar age, the rise of the computer, and the proliferation of the automo-
bile, television, technology and so many other innovations of the Ameri-
can spirit, and who now represent a great and willing source of
knowledge available to our great State of New York; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Maria Lawton Senior Center upon the occasion of the cele-
bration of its 60th Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Maria Lawton Senior Center, 400 Hart Street, Brooklyn,
New York 11206.