LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Odell Ross upon the occasion of
celebrating her 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to
the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past
contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable
asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Odell
Ross upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday on Saturday,
July 16, 2016, at Lakeview House Restaurant, Newburgh, New York; and
WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian, with her zest for life, has
inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1916, Odell Ross continues to live independently in
her small apartment on Cerone Place, in Newburgh, New York; she spent
her early childhood and youth in the rural, red hills of North Carolina
in a close knit family of five siblings, as well as a host of aunts,
uncles and cousins; and
WHEREAS, Growing up, Odell Ross learned to be industrious, fair and
honest, embracing as her mantra the importance of education and thrift
as a way forward for herself and other descendants of slavery; subse-
quently, she has dedicated herself to furthering education among chil-
dren and youth for more than 75 years; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished woman has experienced the incredible joys
and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the stamina
and courage to savor a full life; and
WHEREAS, Odell Ross left the small town of Hurdles Mill, North Caroli-
na in her mid-20s to seek her fortune in the Northeast; she initially
landed in New Jersey and soon found employment in Kearney as a welder in
the shipyard working on ships commissioned for overseas duty during
World War II; and
WHEREAS, Odell Ross then migrated to Manhattan, New York, taking a
position as a seamstress in the garment district making clothes for
infants and toddlers; while employed in Manhattan, she visited the
upstate town of Newburgh and fell in love with its scenic and small town
charm; and
WHEREAS, Through her attendance at the AME Methodist Church of
Newburgh, Odell Ross easily made friends with other people of color;
these friends and her faith provided an anchor for her in the community
and the friendships became lasting friendships which she has maintained
throughout the years; she became a member of the AME Zion Methodist
Church and has been a member for more than six decades; and
WHEREAS, Upon moving to Newburgh, Odell Ross was soon employed as a
nanny for two children, a position she held more than 20 years; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to her community, Odell Ross worked tirelessly
to support educational opportunity for her kin and other children; she
used her first car to give back to the community, exposing local chil-
dren to the cultural events surrounding them; and
WHEREAS, Almost on a weekly basis, Odell Ross would take these chil-
dren to such excursions as the Catskill Game Farm, Warwick Game Farm,
Sterling Forest Gardens, Broadway plays, museums, Florida, New York,
onion farms, and surrounding fruit and garden farms; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, recently in her 90s, Odell Ross served as a
loving "Grandmother" in the Head Start Program of Newburgh, New York;
and
WHEREAS, A loyal and faithful member of the AME Methodist Church,
Odell Ross continues to sing in its Senior Choir; and

WHEREAS, This beloved woman has enriched the lives of those around her
through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed
and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome
achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves
contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Odell Ross upon the occasion of her 100th Birthday; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Odell Ross.