Senate Resolution No. 1940

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

HONORING Ray Knights upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Business Award by
The Brooklyn Club of the National Association of
Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc.
on April 29, 2017

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to
recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of
society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the
basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ray Knights
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Business Award
by The Brooklyn Club of the National Association of Negro Business and
Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. to be celebrated at its 50th Annual
Founders' Day Observance Luncheon on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at
Gargiulos Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, The theme for this auspicious occasion is entitled "72
Years of L.E.T.S. - Leaders Exemplary Timeless Service; Marching forward
with a purpose"; each year, The Brooklyn Club acknowledges its Founders;
"the shoulders on which we stand and the role and responsibility we have
to prepare our young people for the future"; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Club is a chapter of the National Association
of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC, Inc.),
which provides opportunities for women to increase their leadership
skills, experience governance and parliamentary procedures, and enhance
their educational awareness of issues impacting the black community
through volunteerism; and

WHEREAS, Ray Knights is receiving this prestigious award for his
steadfast and unremitting commitment to his community; and

WHEREAS, For over 25 years, Ray Knights has been working in the
field of social services in many capacities including Head Teacher,
Apartment Coordinator, and Residential Supervisor; during this time, he
observed there was a gap in services in many minority communities, such
as Bedford Stuyvesant; as a result, he established Elmy's Special
Services, Inc. (ESS) in 2002; and

WHEREAS, ESS is a not-for-profit organization operating under the
auspices of the New York State Office for People with Developmental
Disabilities, Office for Children and Family Services, and the New York
State Department of Health; ESS has successfully provided a variety of
supports and services to numerous individuals with developmental
disabilities in underserved minority communities within New York City;
and

WHEREAS, As part of the organization's commitment to assist
individuals residing in underserved communities, Ray Knights and his

leadership team work tirelessly to identify areas in need throughout New
York City; and

WHEREAS, Ray Knights has been an advocate for all individuals with
special needs and their family members; he truly believes "These
individuals should be treated with the utmost care, dignity, and respect
regardless of their economics and/or the community they live in"; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work with ESS, Ray Knights participates
in a number of organizations within the Bedford Stuyvesant community;
and

WHEREAS, In 2006, Ray Knights was appointed by City Council Member
Al Vann, to serve as a Member of the CB3 Brooklyn Neighborhood Advisory
Board, a role he held for four years; and

WHEREAS, Three years later, Ray Knights was selected to the
Commissioner's Advisory board in Albany, New York; in this capacity, he
actively engaged in issues and influenced changes which had a tremendous
effect on the developmentally disabled population; and

WHEREAS, A dynamic public servant, Ray Knights was a member of the
Board of Directors of the Interagency Council, the Secretary and a
founding Board member of the New York Association of Emerging &
Multicultural Providers, Inc., and Chair of the Office of People with
Developmental Disabilities Queens Multicultural Taskforce; and

WHEREAS, From 2009-2011, Ray Knights served as the Legislative Chair
of the Executive Board of the Brooklyn MR/DD Council; in 2015, he
graduated from the New York City's Citizen's Police Academy in order to
help bridge the gap between police and the Bedford Stuyvesant community;
and where he lives; and

WHEREAS, Currently, Ray Knights holds the title of Public Relations
Officer of Brooklyn's 79th Precinct Council, and is a Board member of
the Boys and Girls High School; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ray Knights upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Business Award by The Brooklyn Club of the National Association of
Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Ray Knights.