Senate Resolution No. 729

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMEMORATING the 90th Anniversary of the Buffalo
Urban League, Inc.

WHEREAS, In the course of the evolving development of this Empire
State, if the ingredients of shared concern and responsive endeavor
combine in the commitment to society, there have emerged among the
distinguished citizens of the State of New York certain organizations
which warrant special recognition; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations of the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Buffalo Urban League, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Established in 1927, by an multiracial group of prominent
citizens, the Buffalo Urban League was formed to address the employment,
housing and social needs of African-Americans and immigrants migrating
from the South to the North; and

WHEREAS, Within three years of its inception, some 60 groups met
regularly at what became known as The Chapel; one of these groups which
began as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) orchestra was the Buffalo
Philharmonic Orchestra; and

WHEREAS, The agency officially became known as the Buffalo Urban
League, Inc. in 1945, although many continued to call it The Chapel; and

WHEREAS, In 1976, the Buffalo Urban League headed a team of
organizations seeking quality education in the City of Buffalo in light
of the Federal Court decision regarding desegregation of the Buffalo
Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, the Urban League and the New York State Department
of Social Services began an innovative program designed to facilitate
the matching of potential adoptive parents with children available for
adoption in Erie County; and

WHEREAS, A Minority and Women Community Revolving Loan Trust Fund
was established in 1990, to provide low interest working capital loans
to minority and women-owned businesses; seven years later, Buffalo Urban
League's Adoption Program was certified, a first in the history of the
minority community in Western New York; and

WHEREAS, With one of the largest scholarship programs in the region,
the Buffalo Urban League provides more than 150 scholarships each year;
in addition, this vital organization's education programs prepare youth
for college, employment, and life through academic support, life skills,
character exploration and vocational skills training; and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, the Buffalo Urban League
empowers African-Americans, other minorities and disadvantaged
individuals to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil
rights; and

WHEREAS, The Buffalo Urban League is based on a five point
empowerment strategy designed to build strong and stable families:
Education and Youth Empowerment ensures the education of all children by
providing access to early childhood literacy, after-care programs and
college scholarships; Economic Empowerment invests in the financial
literacy and employability of adults through job training, homeownership
and entrepreneurship; Health and Quality of Life Empowerment promotes
community wellness through a focus on prevention, including fitness,
healthy eating and access to affordable healthcare; Civic Engagement and
Leadership Empowerment encourages all people to take an active role to
improve quality of life through participation in community service
projects and public policy initiatives; and Civil Rights and Racial
Justice Empowerment guarantees equal participation in all facets of
American society through proactive public policies and community-based
programs; and

WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 90 year history, the Buffalo Urban
League has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and
communities which it serves; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Buffalo Urban League is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all
endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this
Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the Buffalo Urban
League; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Buffalo Urban League, Inc.; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Buffalo Urban League, Inc.