LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Jonathan Ferrer upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2013 National Brower Youth Award by
Earth Island Institute

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the continuing
welfare of the citizens of this great State and nation is greatly
enriched by the purposeful endeavors of individuals and organizations
committed to the preservation of our environment, and to the enhancement
of appreciation for the distinctive features of our natural
surroundings; and
WHEREAS, A young man of singular distinction, Jonathan Ferrer has
distinguished himself as a young man of superlative ability, establish-
ing a high standard of excellence and purposefulness of life rarely
achieved in youthful years; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Jonathan Ferr-
er upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2013
National Brower Youth Award by Earth Island Institute, to be celebrated
at its 14th Annual Brower Youth Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, October 22,
2013, at Nourse Theatre in San Francisco, California; and
WHEREAS, Earth Island Institute established the Brower Award for Envi-
ronmental Leadership in 2000 to honor renowned environmentalist David
Brower; the New Leaders Initiative recognizes six young environmental
activists, ages 13-22, from North America for their outstanding efforts
to promote ecological sustainability and social justice; and
WHEREAS, Growing up in a community of southwest Brooklyn surrounded by
three large power plants, Jonathan Ferrer witnessed firsthand the social
and environmental injustices that put the health and well-being of his
family and friends at risk; and
WHEREAS, An avid environmentalist and volunteer, Jonathan Ferrer is a
youth justice organizer and a core leader at the United Puerto Rican
Organization of Sunset Park (UPROSE), a community-based organization
that works to ameliorate the environmental burdens of the Sunset Park
neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Through UPROSE, Jonathan Ferrer organizes the New York City
Climate Justice Youth Summit, the largest youth climate convergence in
the city of New York; the summit, which features speakers, musicians,
and spoken-word artists, brings together hundreds of young people for an
opportunity to learn more about the social and environmental issues they
face; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Jonathan Ferrer also facilitates community meet-
ings through the Climate Justice Community Resilience Center, a space
for community members to exchange ideas and resources on how they can
take individual action to better their environment; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon every citizen to recognize that we are
all stewards of our environment and to applaud the efforts of individ-
uals such as Jonathan Ferrer who work tirelessly to protect our environ-
ment and natural surroundings for the benefit of present and future
generations; and
WHEREAS, With his sense of civic duty and his commitment to others,
Jonathan Ferrer represents the best development of the potential which
is inherent in our most precious resource, our youth; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Jonathan Ferrer upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the 2013 National Brower Youth Award by Earth Island Institute; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jonathan Ferrer.