Senate Resolution No. 4731

BY: Senator GOLDEN

HONORING Steven M. Barrison, Esq. upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2018
Oscar Award by the Bay Improvement Group (BIG) on
April 19, 2018

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals 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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Steven M. Barrison, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2018 Oscar Award by the Bay Improvement Group (BIG) to
be celebrated at its Awards Dinner for Distinguished Community Service
on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at Il Fornetto in Sheepshead Bay, New York;
and

WHEREAS, This prestigious award recognizes those individuals who
serve and contribute to the Brooklyn community; Steven M. Barrison, Esq.
is truly deserving of this commendation for over 35 years of volunteer
and pro bono service to many important causes in his community; and

WHEREAS, Steven M. Barrison has lived in Sheepshead Bay for over 59
years; he currently practices law in midtown Manhattan, New York, where
he has contributed between 1,000 and 2,000 hours each year to pro bono
activities including but not limited to such things as community and
environmental preservation, enhancement, as well as revitalization
efforts in Sheepshead Bay, New York City and New York State; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his pro bono work, Steven M. Barrison has
served on numerous committees, boards and associations including the
25th Anniversary Committee of the Landmark Preservation Commission,
Board of Directors of the statewide non-profit New York Main Street
Alliance, Board member and Vice President of the Sheepshead Bay/Plumb
Beach Civic Association, President of the Bay Improvement Group, New
York City Department of Probation Community Services, and the Joint
Committee that produced the only community based comprehensive
waterfront plan for the Sheepshead Bay Special District; and

WHEREAS, Steven M. Barrison has testified before numerous New York
City Council hearings on waterfront development, megastore planning,
zoning issues, as well as City Council and Landmark Preservation
hearings for important Brooklyn landmarks, and was instrumental in
preserving Mom and Pop stores in New York City; and

WHEREAS, He also led the installation of the first public Fire
Memorial of its kind in New York City, worked on various Veteran's
celebrations, raised environmental consciousness of the cleanliness of
Sheepshead Bay, initiated the adoption of the Sheepshead Bay Subway
Station, and organized Sheepshead Bay History Month in May; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Steven M. Barrison is responsible for overall
heightened community awareness of the importance of economic
development, has advocated for many years on behalf of the Brooklyn DA,
brought together community organizations for the benefit of the Brooklyn
South Shore Waterfront, formed Preserve Our Waterfront (POW), acted as a
crisis intervention volunteer on September 11, 2001, and supported many
9/11 causes, and acted as a facilitator for an Imagine NY visioning
conference for the World Trade Center site, as well as worked on the
Sheepshead Bay's parking crisis; and

WHEREAS, Moreover, Steven M. Barrison has dedicated his time and
energy to serving as President of BIG; he helped the organization
introduce region-wide down-zoning and managed its first Music on the Bay
Concert; he also assisted with its Annual Celebrity Caroling and Toy
Drive; and

WHEREAS, Steven M. Barrison helped BIG with its efforts to help
residents after Superstorm Sandy, and leads BIG: Bringing Back the Bay;
and

WHEREAS, In November of 2004, Steven M. Barrison was elected to the
title of Executive Vice President of the Small Business Congress, Inc.,
and was a founding member and advisor of the Four Borough Neighborhood
Preservation Alliance; and

WHEREAS, Steven M. Barrison has advocated strongly for the small
business and middle class against unfair city practices and tax and
water rate hikes, and was the founding co-Chair of the Small Business
Coalition of NYC; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his
community, Steven M. Barrison was the recipient of the 2015 Grassroots
Preservation Award by the Historic Districts Council; 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 Steven M. Barrison, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2018 Oscar Award by the Bay Improvement Group (BIG);
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Steven M. Barrison, Esq.