LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of UPROSE on
September 30, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of UPROSE to be celebrated at its 50th Anni-
versary Ball on Friday, September 30, 2016, in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1966, UPROSE is a grassroots, multi-ethnic,
intergenerational organization working to develop indigenous leadership
for the purpose of environmental and social justice; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the past five decades, UPROSE has strived to
address the numerous challenges faced by frontline communities as a
result of the disparate siting of pollution and other environmental
burdens; and
WHEREAS, Committed to addressing and mitigating social inequities,
this esteemed nonprofit organization has achieved numerous important
accomplishments including the development of the waterfront and local
brownfields, transportation and air quality improvements, and educa-
tional and youth empowerment campaigns; and
WHEREAS, As a member of the Mayor's Sustainability Advisory Board,
UPROSE has successfully advocated for the City of New York to engage in
a community planning process for environmental justice issues; it has
also persuaded the New York State Public Service Commission to develop a
process for removing dangerous polluters from the community; and
WHEREAS, In addition, UPROSE has intensified its focus on Sunset
Park's adaptation to the changing climate in the wake of Superstorm
Sandy and other weather related events; and
WHEREAS, Currently Brooklyn's oldest Latino community-based organiza-
tion, UPROSE continues to work tirelessly to ensure meaningful community
engagement, facilitate participatory community planning practices, and
promote sustainable development with justice and governmental account-
ability; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, UPROSE is dedicated to developing the leaders of
tomorrow, and has sent youth leaders to the United Nations and Antarcti-
ca to speak about important issues and to study climate change; it has
also organized two New York City Climate Justice Youth Summits, and
encouraged young people to attend college with the support of numerous
scholarship programs; and
WHEREAS, The success of UPROSE is in direct correlation to the efforts
of its volunteers and staff, whose involvement is, and always has been,
characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and
an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of
this institution and the community of Sunset Park; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when advocacy
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, 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
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of UPROSE on September 30, 2016; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to UPROSE.