LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating celebrated actor Louis Gossett Jr.
upon the occasion of being the inaugural inductee of the Mark Twain
Intermediate School for the Gifted and Talented Distinguished Alumni
Hall of Fame, on March 12, 2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals of historic and artistic significance whose creative
talents have contributed to the cultural enrichment of our communities
and our nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late celebrated actor Louis Gossett Jr. upon the occasion of being the
inaugural inductee of the Mark Twain Intermediate School for the Gifted
and Talented Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame; the Induction Ceremony
will be held at the school's First Annual Gala on Wednesday, March 12,
2014, at Gargulio's Restaurant, in Coney Island, New York; and
WHEREAS, Louis Gossett Jr. will also speak to students at the Mark
Twain Intermediate School for the Gifted and Talented; and
WHEREAS, Louis Gossett Jr. is an actor, educator, and activist; he was
born and raised in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Louis Gossett Jr. is perhaps best-known for his unforgettable
Academy Award-winning role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982
film, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, and his Emmy Award-winning portrayal
as Fiddler in the 1977 ABC television miniseries, ROOTS; and
WHEREAS, His nearly six-decade acting career began when he was a
17-year-old student at Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn; a sports
injury led him to take an acting class and he appeared in a school
production of YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, as well as a Broadway show;
after graduation, he went to New York University on a basketball schol-
arship and was invited to try out for the New York Knicks but he
declined, concentrating on theater instead; and
WHEREAS, Louis Gossett Jr. has appeared in 167 films and television
shows, and has earned numerous accolades and awards, including the
aforementioned Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, and three Golden Globe
Awards; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, Louis Gossett Jr. published his autobiography, AN
ACTOR AND A GENTLEMAN; although he continues to work in film, he has
committed the last quadrant of his life to a conscious offensive against
racism, violence, ignorance and social apathy through the work of his
Eracism Foundation, which he founded in 2006; and
WHEREAS, Mark Twain Intermediate School for the Gifted and Talented is
an institution of true purpose and high achievement, whose exemplary
programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring pursuit of
excellence in the education of the youth of the Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Formerly known as I.S. 239, Mark Twain Intermediate School
for the Gifted and Talented has a dual mission, immersing its students
in an extremely supportive environment of academic rigor blended with a
full visual art and performing arts experience; the school has been the
recipient of wide recognition for the high achievements of its students,
many of whom go on to attend New York City's top public and private high
schools; and
WHEREAS, In light of the tremendous success and contributions of this
accomplished thespian, it is small wonder that Mark Twain Intermediate
School for the Gifted and Talented has selected Louis Gossett Jr. as the
first inductee into its Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Louis Gossett Jr. has clearly distinguished himself in his
career and community involvement, and New York State and the entire

nation has benefited greatly from his acting gifts and humanistic enter-
prise; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Louis Gossett Jr. upon the occasion of being the inaugural
inductee of the Mark Twain Intermediate School for the Gifted and
Talented Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be transmitted to Louis
Gossett Jr., and Mark Twain Intermediate School for the Gifted and
Talented.