LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Minister Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Florence of Rochester, New York, for his outstanding achievements in the
areas of civil rights and spiritual leadership

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to publicly recognize
the qualities of leadership, compassion and citizenship in the community
of New York; to state the unquestioned importance of the humanitarian to
the progress of the State of New York and our nation, as a whole; and to
make plain its commitment to the promotion of these qualities throughout
our society; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Minister Franklin Delano Roosevelt Florence of Rochester, New York, for
his outstanding achievements in the areas of civil rights and spiritual
leadership; and
WHEREAS, Minister Florence came to Rochester from the segregated south
as a young preacher in 1959; and
WHEREAS, Minister Florence emerged as a prominent civil rights leader
and advocate for the black community; and
WHEREAS, Minister Florence was the creator and advocate for the
F.I.G.H.T. Organization which means Freedom, Integration, God, Honor,
Today and served as its president from 1965-1968; and
WHEREAS, FIGHT's mission was to address de facto segregation and the
social problems that resulted from it and create employment opportu-
nities for the entire community; and
WHEREAS, Minister Florence, as president of FIGHT, helped train blacks
in order to move them into the prosperous Rochester economy, to develop
and renew urban neighborhoods, to create quality education and perhaps
most importantly, to develop political activism and community partic-
ipation amongst poor urban blacks; and
WHEREAS, Minister Florence, as a leader, creates opportunities for the
community to integrate Rochester businesses; he opened the door of
economic prosperity to many people who had previously been denied
access; and
WHEREAS, Minister Florence was involved with the Rochester anti-pover-
ty agency Action for a Better Community (ABC) and The Rochester North-
east Development Corporation (RNED); and
WHEREAS, Most importantly, Minister Florence, who is still engaged in
the fight for civil rights, continues to serve as senior minister of the
Central Church of Christ located in Rochester, as well as an advocate
for the rights of the poor; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 Minister Franklin Delano Roosevelt Florence for his dedication and
outstanding achievements in the areas of civil rights and spiritual
leadership; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Minister Franklin Delano Roosevelt Florence.