LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Brooklyn Historical Society upon
the occasion of hosting its 12th Annual Library Dinner and paying trib-
ute to this year's honorees on May 12, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those worthy organizations whose purpose is dedicated to
educational purpose and help preserve the history and heritage of this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Brooklyn Historical Society upon the occasion of hosting its 12th
Annual Library Dinner and paying tribute to this year's honorees on
Thursday, May 12, 2016; and
WHEREAS, This year's honorees, Tucker Reed, Victoria Westhead and John
Levy, are being recognized for their steadfast and unremitting commit-
ment to their community; in addition, Brian Purnell will serve as the
Distinguished Speaker for the evening; and
WHEREAS, Tucker Reed is the President of the Downtown Brooklyn Part-
nership (DBP); under his luminous leadership, the DBP has become the
driving force behind the emergence of the Brooklyn Tech Triangle as a
world-class center for innovation; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his work with the DBP, Tucker Reed was the
founding Executive Director of the DUMBO Improvement District and the
Director of Special Projects for Two Trees Management Company; and
WHEREAS, Since 2004, Victoria Westhead has served on the Brooklyn
Historic Society's Board of Trustees; in that same year, she was instru-
mental in creating the first Library Dinner; she also held the title of
Board Secretary and as co-Chair of the 150th Anniversary Campaign, now
in its final year; in June of 2016, she will step down from the Board to
pursue new challenges; and
WHEREAS, Along with her volunteer work, Victoria Westhead is a devel-
opment consultant and serves as the Vice Chair of the Pembroke Center
Associates Council at Brown University; and
WHEREAS, Since 2010, John Levy has been the Chairman of both BioLite
and Hypres companies; he also is a vital member of the investment
committee of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, working in the field of
climate change and inequality; and
WHEREAS, Brian Purnell grew up in Coney Island, New York, and earned
his bachelor's degree from Fordham University and a Ph.D. in United
States History from New York University; he currently teaches History
and Africana Studies at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine; and
WHEREAS, A prolific author, Brian Purnell's book, FIGHTING JIM CROW IN
THE COUNTY OF KINGS: THE CONGRESS OF RACIAL EQUALITY IN BROOKLYN, exam-
ines the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), one of the most important
civil rights organizations of the early 1960s; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1863, the Brooklyn Historical Society is a
nationally recognized urban history center comprised of a museum, schol-
arly research library and educational center dedicated to preserving and
encouraging the study of the extraordinary 400-year history of Brooklyn,
New York; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Historical Society is housed in a magnificent
landmark building in Brooklyn Heights, designed by George Post in 1878,
where it maintains an important collection of archival documents, photo-
graphs, maps, books, artifacts and paintings relating to national and
local history; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the Brooklyn Historical Society serves almost
80,000 people by providing opportunities for civic dialogue and communi-

ty engagement for children and adults through exhibit tours, public
programming, research opportunities, educational programs for New York
City students, and professional development workshops and written
curricula for New York City teachers; and
WHEREAS, Under the supervision of President Deborah Schwartz, the
success enjoyed by the Brooklyn Historical Society is in direct corre-
lation to the efforts of the many individuals who have supported its
development over the years; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the superbly-skilled staff at the
Brooklyn Historical Society, whose involvement is and has always been
characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and
an uncompromising standard of excellence in all of their efforts on
behalf of the organization and the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Brooklyn
Historical Society may take just pride in its purposeful growth, as it
looks forward to continuing to serve the educational, cultural and
intellectual needs of the community; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Brooklyn Historical Society upon the occasion of hosting its
12th Annual Library Dinner and paying tribute to this year's honorees on
May 12, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Deborah Schwartz, President, the Brooklyn Historical Society.