LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Fred T. Simmons upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the
African-American/Caribbean Education Association, Inc. on August 8, 2013

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, Fred T. Simmons has given not only of his time and energies
but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Fred T.
Simmons upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Life-
time Achievement Award by the African-American/Caribbean Education Asso-
ciation, Inc., to be celebrated at its 6th Annual Banquet in Jamaica,
New York on Thursday, August 8, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Fred T. Simmons, the proud son of Willie and Eloise Simmons,
is the oldest of six siblings that migrated to Queens, New York, from
Sanford, North Carolina, in 1967; having an avid interest in community
affairs, he decided to enroll in the Bachelors of Professional Studies
Program at the College for Human Services, which later became Audrey
Cohen College; and
WHEREAS, After college, Fred T. Simmons was inspired by the good works
of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), a
group that advocates for low and moderate-income families by working on
neighborhood safety, voter registration, health care, affordable hous-
ing, and other social issues; under the tutelage of ACORN, Fred became
an advocate fighting for change and making his community aware of a
magnitude of resources; and
WHEREAS, Assisting ACORN with abandoned homes, Fred T. Simmons was
instrumental in establishing a policy that made it possible for families
to be relocated into affordable housing; he also helped in the fight for
jobs, livable wages, equal education and various other housing issues;
and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, as part of the National and Community Service
Trust Act of 1993, the first ACORN High School in the nation was created
under his luminous direction; and
WHEREAS, An avid volunteer, Fred T. Simmons has selflessly given of
his time and energy by volunteering at the People United to Save Our
Children and the 100 Man Choir; leading a Boys Scouts of America troop;
serving as a parent advisor at the 103rd Precinct Explorers Program;
serving as a board member to Beacon schools I.S. 8 and J.H. S.72; form-
ing the youth group Bringing Teens Together, and local block association
groups through Residential People for Improvement; organizing summer
youth programs; volunteering for Forestdale Fathers Project, and being a
veteran Member of the African-American/Caribbean Education Association,
Inc. Scholarship Committee; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he is the Co-Founder of Teens Against Crime
Inc., Operation Safe South East Queens, and Biz Kids; and
WHEREAS, Fred T. Simmons is married to his lifelong friend and part-
ner, Florence Simmons, and together they have three wonderful children,
and six beautiful grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Fred T. Simmons has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Fred T. Simmons has displayed
throughout his life; 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 Fred T. Simmons upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the African-American/Caribbean
Education Association, Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Fred T. Simmons.