Senate Resolution No. 4385

BY: Senator PARKER

HONORING Masai Ujiri upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by FACE Africa
at its Ninth Annual Wash Gala on March 31, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention
to those events which serve to enhance the cultural enrichment and
preserve the heritage of Africa; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Masai Ujiri upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
by FACE Africa at its Ninth Annual Wash Gala "A Night Celebrating
African Excellence" to be held at The Current at Chelsea Piers, New
York, New York, on Saturday, March 31, 2018; and

WHEREAS, The FACE Africa WASH Gala is held annually in New York City
to raise awareness and funds for clean water projects; in addition, it
is a celebration of Africans and Friends of Africa making a difference
in their respective industries and communities; and

WHEREAS, This year, FACE Africa's goal is to raise $500,000 to
provide Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programs and facilities to
communities in rural Liberia and Nigeria; and

WHEREAS, The theme for this year's gala "Water Fuels the Future" is
more than a statement, it is the recognition that the availability of
clean drinking water is a prerequisite to achieving all of the other
development indicators like health, education, gender equality, growth,
community commerce, agriculture, and self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, Masai Ujiri was named President and General Manager of
Basketball Operations of the Toronto Raptors on May 31, 2013, returning
to the organization where he received his first front office position in
2007; and

WHEREAS, A native of Nigeria, Masai Ujiri brings tremendous
knowledge and extensive global connections to the Raptors; he played
professionally in Europe for six years, with stops in Belgium, Germany,
England, Greece and Finland; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, he has scouted all over the world, including
Europe, Africa, Asia and South America; he has also managed and coached
the Nigerian junior and senior National teams; and

WHEREAS, On August 27, 2010, Masai Ujiri became the first African
General Manager in the NBA when he was hired to run the Denver Nuggets'
basketball operations department; this was also his second stint with
the club after working as a scout from 2003-2006, and the team's
Director of International Scouting during the 2006-07 season; and

WHEREAS, Prior to joining the Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri worked as
an International Scout for the Orlando Magic; and

WHEREAS, Equally driven to make change off the court, Masai Ujiri
has built a legacy of action with his not-for- profit organization,
Giants of Africa, which was born from a willingness to dream big; and

WHEREAS, Using basketball as a tool to educate and enrich the lives
of African youth, Masai Ujiri and Giants of Africa also provide quality
facilities, coaching and instruction, while enhancing the growth of the
game of basketball within Africa; and

WHEREAS, This year, under the able direction of Masai Ujiri, Giants
of Africa built and launched a basketball court in an underserved area
of Kigali, Rwanda; and

WHEREAS, Striving to create a pathway for youth, Masai Ujiri uses
basketball to create opportunities to better their lives; he has also
served as the Director of the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program
since 2002; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals 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
honor Masai Ujiri upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by FACE Africa at its Ninth Annual Wash Gala on March 31,
2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Masai Ujiri.