LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of H. Sidney Holmes, III,
former New York Urban League Board Member, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, H. Sidney Holmes, III, of Queens, New York died on Monday,
April 15, 2013, at the age of 69; and
WHEREAS, H. Sidney Holmes was a member of the New York Urban League
Board of Directors, and a founding supporter of New York Urban League's
(NYUL) signature Champions of Diversity Breakfast; through the law firm
Winston & Strawn, he also helped support NYUL's school-based afterschool
education program at PS 123 in Harlem; and
WHEREAS, H. Sidney Holmes was born on April 10, 1944, in Queens, New
York, to Henry Sidney Holmes and Annie Louis Holmes; he attended Central
State University in Ohio before joining the United States Army serving
two years during the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, After his military service, H. Sidney Holmes attended Colum-
bia University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history;
while attending Columbia, he co-owned and managed two health and beauty
discount stores in Queens; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, H. Sidney Holmes went on to study law at Hofstra
University and married Albertha Clarice Middleton in 1977, and later had
their daughter, Monique; after graduating from law school, H. Sidney
Holmes worked as an associate practicing public finance at the law firm
of Mudge Rose Guthrie Alexander & Ferdon, where he made partner after
seven years; and
WHEREAS, After working at Mudge Rose, H. Sidney Holmes joined the law
firm of Whitman Breed Abbott and Morgan, and then finished his career at
Winston & Strawn, LLP; through his 33 years of practicing law, H. Sidney
Holmes helped shape the New York City skyline; some of his most notable
projects include the USTA National tennis center expansion, the Brooklyn
Navy Yard, JFK International Airport, the Jacob K. Javits Center, the
Bank of America building, and the rebuilding of the World Trade Center
Towers 3, 4 and 7; and
WHEREAS, In addition to being a valued member of the New York Urban
League family, H. Sidney Holmes was a founding board member of the
National Association of Securities Professionals, former President of
the Business Roundtable for the National Association of Black County
Officials and a member of the 100 Black Men; he was a board member of
the Brooklyn Navy Yards Development Corporation and was appointed to the
Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
and to the Board of Directors of the New York State Insurance Fund; and
WHEREAS, Known as a great man of great integrity and strength, H.
Sidney Holmes was also a member of the Zeta Pi Phi, the oldest fraterni-
ty founded by African-American men in the United States; an avid tennis
player, he was a passionate New York Knicks fan who loved to entertain
in his home as well as enjoy the local waterways and fishing from his
boat; and
WHEREAS, H. Sidney Holmes distinguished himself in his profession and
by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, H. Sidney Holmes's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and

WHEREAS, H. Sidney Holmes is survived by his daughter, Monique, son-
in-law Eric, fiance, Mary Ann Liberatore, and many family members,
friends and co-workers; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, H. Sidney Holmes leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of H. Sidney Holmes, III, former New York Urban League
Board Member, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of H. Sidney Holmes, III.