Senate Resolution No. 3813

BY: Senator KENNEDY

MOURNING the death of David A. Collins, longtime
Buffalo Common Councilmember, distinguished citizen
and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, David A. Collins of Buffalo, New York, died on January 25,
2018, at the age of 79; and

WHEREAS, Born in Prentiss, Mississippi, in 1938, David A. Collins
graduated from Prentiss Normal Industrial Institute; he then attended
Alcorn A&M College for a year and a half before moving to Buffalo in
1956; and

WHEREAS, It was in Buffalo that David A. Collins met and married the
former Jean D. Brooks, his wife of 57 years; and

WHEREAS, David A. Collins attended Canisius College and worked at
General Motors Corporation as an assembly worker before graduating from
the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) with a bachelor's
degree in social services; he went on to teach at UB's South Campus for
25 years as an adjunct professor; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary man also owned a remodeling business
prior to his first election to the Common Council in 1977; and

WHEREAS, In a council career which traversed 18 years, David A.
Collins was a champion for Buffalo's poorest neighborhoods and was best
known for being the driving force behind the redevelopment of the War
Memorial Stadium site; and

WHEREAS, Due to the tenacity of David A. Collins, the Johnnie B.
Wiley Amateur Sports Pavilion was built to replace War Memorial Stadium,
which had fallen into disrepair after new stadiums were constructed for
the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Bisons; and

WHEREAS, A staunch community activist his entire life, David A.
Collins directed the Employment Information Center and worked with the
Community Action Organization to secure grants for such initiatives as
the Weatherization Program and the Senior Companion Program; and

WHEREAS, David A. Collins was actively involved in the Pullman
porters forming the first all-black union; additionally, he was
instrumental in breaking down racial barriers through his leadership
involvement with the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, David A. Collins served on
the boards of National Head Start, the Community Action Organization and
the board of trustees at Buffalo General Hospital; he was also a United

Way board member and served in the National Christians & Jews
Organization; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, David A. Collins is survived by
his two daughters, Michelle and Senora; a sister, Sherell; and six
grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, David A. Collins leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of David A. Collins, longtime Buffalo Common
Councilmember, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of David A. Collins.