LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Zakee Abdul-Hameed and Clenard A.
Killikelly upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the
Jobs with Justice Community Award by the Capital District Labor-Religion
Coalition on May 16, 2012

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Zakee Abdul-Hameed and Clenard A. Killikelly have given not
only of their time and energies but also of their competence, intelli-
gence and leadership and consequently have been designated for special
honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Zakee Abdul-
Hameed and Clenard A. Killikelly upon the occasion of their designation
as recipients of the Jobs with Justice Community Award by the Capital
District Labor-Religion Coalition, to be celebrated at its 15th Annual
Memorial Awards Dinner on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at the Polish Ameri-
can Citizens Club in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Capital District Labor-Religion Coalition has been
involved in community issues that affect workers and their families,
such as criminal justice reform, immigration, racism and education; each
year it honors individuals with the Jobs with Justice Community Award
for their long-term dedication to social justice work and worker digni-
ty; and
WHEREAS, Zakee Abdul-Hameed has been an Electrical Mechanic with the
I.B.E.W. Local 236 in the Capital Region for over 10 years; beginning in
his apprentice years his understanding and acknowledgement of the vital-
ity of "Fair Labor" and the accessibility to it through education has
grown as a benefactor of it; and
WHEREAS, Zakee Abdul-Hameed joined the Human Empowerment and Labor
Practices (H.E.L.P.) Organization; this opportunity opened doors for
him, allowing him to work with Albany City Schools, faith based organ-
izations, and other local non-profit organizations; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, Zakee Abdul-Hameed became part of the Capital Region
Workforce Development Center team; he is currently an instructor for the
Cornerstone program, a construction related work readiness program that
helps individuals in low income communities and communities of color
prepare for an apprenticeship/job in the construction trades; and
WHEREAS, Clenard A. Killikelly is the Director of Youth Outreach
Services at Equinox, Inc., Albany, New York; in this role, he oversees
several programs at Equinox that serve Albany County youth in various
aspects; and
WHEREAS, A long-standing resident of the Capital Region, Clenard A.
Killikelly is a product of the Albany City School District and a gradu-
ate of The College of Saint Rose with a degree in Elementary Education;
he began his career at Parsons Child and Family Center as a special
education teacher for four years before moving on to Equinox, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, While at Equinox, Clenard A. Killikelly co-created a music
program and partnered with area colleges, high schools, and youth serv-
ing organizations in order to increase the amount and enhance the quali-
ty of opportunities and experiences young people can receive; he also
teamed up with local colleges to provide college students who are inter-
ested in a career serving young people the opportunity to complete their
work study at Equinox; and
WHEREAS, Zakee Abdul-Hameed and Clenard A. Killikelly have been called
upon to contribute their time and talents to countless civic and chari-
table endeavors and have always given of themselves unstintingly; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Zakee Abdul-Hameed and Clenard A.
Killikelly have stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Zakee Abdul-Hameed and Clenard A.
Killikelly have displayed throughout their lives; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Zakee Abdul-Hameed and Clenard A. Killikelly upon the occasion of
their designation as recipients of the Jobs with Justice Community Award
by the Capital District Labor-Religion Coalition on May 16, 2012; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Zakee Abdul-Hameed and Clenard A. Killikelly.