Senate Resolution No. 2053

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Beverly Jones-Edwards upon the occasion
of her designation as recipient of the Mother of
Pearl Award by the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute,
Inc. on May 13, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those nurses from this great Empire State who have
distinguished themselves through professional excellence and have made
significant contributions to the quality of life of its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Beverly Jones-Edwards upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Mother of Pearl Award by the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute,
Inc. to be celebrated at its 9th Annual Extravaganza on Saturday, May
13, 2017, at the Albany Ramada Plaza Hotel in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Jones-Edwards was born in Albany to the late Gladys
and Lawrence Jones; she and her large family made their home in Selkirk,
New York; she was a faithful member of the Dutch Reformed Church in
Selkirk, where she attended Sunday School and participated in the
Children's Choir; during the summer months, she would worship at the
Riverview Baptist Church in Coeymans, where she was ultimately baptized
at the age of nine by the late Reverend S.B. Sutton; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School
District, Beverly Jones-Edwards earned her degree from the Albany School
of Practical Nursing; she furthered her education by obtaining her
nursing degree from Maria College in Albany; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Jones-Edwards began her long and distinguished
nursing career at Albany Medical Center Hospital, where she was employed
as a Nurse In the Labor and Delivery unit for over 38 years; she truly
loved assisting with the delivery of hundreds of babies and caring for
the newborns and their mothers; and

WHEREAS, Currently, Beverly Jones-Edwards is employed as a
substitute nurse for the Albany City School District, and holds the
title of President of the Empire State Federation of Women's Clubs and
Youth Affiliates, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, A devout and spiritual woman, Beverly Jones-Edwards is an
active member of the Metropolitan New Testament Mission Baptist Church;
for over 30 years, she assisted in many ministries, and held various
leadership positions such as Corresponding Secretary, Vice-President and
President; and

WHEREAS, Today, Beverly Jones-Edwards remains an active participant
in Sunday School, the Home Mission Ministry, Church Choir, Women's
Knitting and Crocheting Ministry and the Clovis A. Drake Scholarship
Ministry, and serves as the Lead Coordinator of the Floral Ministry and
President of the Nurses Ministry; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Jones-Edwards and her late husband, James W.
Edwards, were the loving godparents to six children; for the past eight
years, Beverly has cared for two children, Kayla and Yasmin, both of
whom bring her great joy; and

WHEREAS, When she is not working or taking care of someone, Beverly
Jones-Edwards enjoys knitting, sewing, cooking, baking and scrapbooking;
and

WHEREAS, Built upon the proud tradition of caring, the profession of
nursing is dedicated to implementing the best practices to deliver the
highest quality of care to those whom they serve; and

WHEREAS, These exceptional individuals, leaders in their profession,
make a difference in the lives of every one of their patients, as well
as the patients' family members they serve each and every day; they have
truly proven themselves to be great assets to the health and welfare of
the citizens of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, A woman of true integrity, Beverly Jones-Edwards has served
as a Registered Nurse with distinction, enthusiasm, dedication and
honor; for almost four decades, she has rendered faithful, conscientious
and valuable service to the Capital Region, earning the admiration,
esteem and affection of her colleagues; 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 Beverly Jones-Edwards upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Mother of Pearl Award by the Frank Chapman Memorial
Institute, Inc. on May 13, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Beverly Jones-Edwards.