Senate Resolution No. 67

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Dr. Leonard A. Slade, Jr. upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2016
Literary Legends Award by the Albany Public Library
Foundation on October 22, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
those artistic individuals whose creative talents and commitment to
writing contribute to the enrichment of their community and the world,
and to pay homage to a man whose life of writing stands out as an
inspiration to others; and

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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr. Leonard
A. Slade, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
2016 Literary Legends Award by the Albany Public Library Foundation;
this auspicious occasion will be celebrated at a Gala on Saturday,
October 22, 2016, at the Arbor Hill/West Albany Branch of the Albany
Public Library, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the Albany Public Library Foundation, through
the Literary Legends Award, recognizes outstanding local authors,
illustrators and publishers from the community who are considered
leaders in the field of literature; the Gala is an opportunity to
showcase their literary contributions as well as raise needed funds for
special programs and services provided by the Albany Public Library; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Leonard A. Slade, Jr. is the past Chair and current
Professor of Africana Studies, Adjunct Professor of English, and past
Director of the Humanistic Studies Doctoral Program and the Master of
Arts in Liberal Studies Program at the University at Albany, as well as
a noted poet; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Leonard A. Slade, Jr. received his Bachelor of Arts
degree in English from North Carolina's Elizabeth City State University,
his Master of Arts degree in English from Virginia State University, and
his Ph.D. in English from the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign; and

WHEREAS, For several summers, Dr. Leonard A. Slade, Jr. studied
poetry at Bennington College in Vermont, The Bread Loaf Writers'
Conference at Middlebury College in Vermont, and at the Ragdale Artists'
Colony in Lake Forest, Illinois; he also studied with Pulitzer Prize
Winners Stephen Dunn and Donald Justice; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Leonard A. Slade, Jr. is a prolific author who has
published 23 books, including 18 books of poetry: Another Black Voice: A
Different Drummer, The Beauty of Blackness, I Fly Like a Bird, The
Whipping Song, Vintage, Fire Burning, Neglecting the Flowers, Lilacs in

Spring, Elisabeth and Other Poems, For the Love of Freedom, Jazz After
Dinner, Triumph, Sweet Solitude, a best seller, The Season, Chasing the
Wind, God Put a Rainbow in the Sky, and Nobody Knows; and

WHEREAS, This esteemed writer and professor has given not only of
his time and energies but also of his competence, intelligence and
leadership and consequently has been designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Leonard A. Slade, Jr. resides in Albany, New York, with
his wife who feels privileged to be part of his life and rejoices in his
achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when artistic
creators of such remarkable talent 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 Dr. Leonard A. Slade, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2016 Literary Legends Award by the Albany Public
Library Foundation on October 22, 2016; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Leonard A. Slade, Jr.