LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Corky Lee upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by Homecrest Community Services on
February 26, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those exceptional photojournalists of this great Empire State
who have distinguished themselves in their profession while entertaining
us and enriching our lives with their creative talents; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Corky Lee upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
by Homecrest Community Services to be celebrated at its Annual Gala
Celebration, The Chinese Lunar New Year 4714 "The Year of the Monkey" on
Friday, February 26, 2016, at Jing Fong Restaurant, New York, New York;
and
WHEREAS, Homecrest Community Services, Inc. (HCS) is a non-profit
corporation which provides community-based, multi-social services for
senior citizens, immigrants, children and families living in southern
Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, A renowned American photographer, born Li Yangguo, Corky Lee
was born in Queens, New York; in 1965, he studied American History at
Queens College; and
WHEREAS, During class, Corky Lee saw an old photo which depicted the
completion of the transcontinental railroad in Utah; even though the
construction involved thousands of Chinese workers who toiled in harsh
conditions, the photo did not highlight one worker of Chinese descent;
and
WHEREAS, From this moment on, Corky Lee was devoted to making the
accomplishments of Asian Americans more visible; he has been inspired to
record and discover the diversity and nuances of Asian American culture
overlooked by mainstream media, and to make sure Asian American history
is included as an essential piece of American history; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Corky Lee has documented the daily
lives of Asian Americans as well as various historical moments in Asian
American political history; and
WHEREAS, One of Corky Lee's most significant accomplishments came in
1975, when a photo he took of a Chinese-American being assaulted by the
police appeared on the cover of the NEW YORK POST; in addition, he also
recorded the intense protests by the Asian American community in the
aftermath of the Vincent Chin murder trial in 1983; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when photojour-
nalists 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
commend Corky Lee upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by Homecrest Community Services on February 26, 2016; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Corky Lee.