Senate Resolution No. 1019

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMENDING Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Business Leadership Award by the Community Council
for Medgar Evers College, Inc. on April 27, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Business Leadership Award by the Community Council for
Medgar Evers College, Inc. to be celebrated at its Annual Spring
Scholarship and Leadership Awards Luncheon on Saturday, April 27, 2019;
and

WHEREAS, In the late 1960s, a diverse group of residents, clergy and
elected officials formed the Community Council to provide access to a
quality college education for students living in central Brooklyn; along
with New York City University, the Council established Medgar Evers
College in 1970; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. was born and raised in the
Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York; he earned his Bachelor
of Arts degree in Behavioral Science from Shaw University in Raleigh,
North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, For most of his life, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. has devoted
his time and energy to bettering his hometown and East New York as a
whole; and

WHEREAS, For over 16 years, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. served as
District Leader for the 40th Assembly District in the East New York
section of Kings County; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. was a member of the Community
School District 19 School Board for 16 years and implemented the first
bilingual education program in that district; he has also served on
various local boards including Community Board 5, and was the founder of
the community's first Local Development Corporation and the Federation
of Block Associations for East New York; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his political career, Dr. DeCosta Headley,
Sr. spent several years as a social worker, and in the late 1970s,
became the Executive Director of numerous adolescent group homes within
the East New York/Brownsville communities; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. has accomplished numerous goals
throughout his magnanimous life; he was the only New York State resident
to enter into the Job Corps Staff Training Session at the University of

California's Office of Economic Opportunity in 1966, established the
Federation of Addiction Agencies to provide a drug-free treatment
program in East New York and Brownsville, and was appointed to the
Council for SUNY Downstate Health and Science Center; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his
community, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. was presented with an honorary
doctorate degree for humanities in 2014 from Anointed by God Alliance
and Seminary; and

WHEREAS, This dynamic and compassionate philanthropist, entrepreneur
and advocate has truly dedicated himself to enhancing the quality of
life for his constituents; through his tireless efforts he has been
instrumental in providing college scholarships, employment
opportunities, affordable housing, increased public services, as well as
an extensive network of social services to many people; and

WHEREAS, As the owner of Strong Power Consultants, Dr. DeCosta
Headley, Sr. built local medical and dental facilities for Oxford Health
Plans, Brookdale Hospital and Medical Center and Interfaith Medical
Center; new housing for the Berean Missionary Baptist Church; and helped
other local churches acquire land for the use of building senior citizen
housing and youth centers for communities in need of urban renewal; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. also serves as a liaison for
various HMOs, assisting them in providing healthcare through facilities
in lower income communities, and establishes links with area hospitals
in Brooklyn and New York City to assist small business and private
physicians with affiliations with the hospitals; and

WHEREAS, Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. has been the recipient of numerous
awards and accolades including The Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation
Award, Mayor's Award for Community Service, Brookdale University
Hospital Community Service Award, the Frances Hanberry Award for
Development of Community Economic Literacy Programs and Initiatives, the
North Brooklyn YMCA Citizens Recognition Award, and the Manhattan
Jaycees Award; recently, he was honored by the Bedford Stuyvesant Lions
Club of which he is a member, and the East New York Homeowners
Association; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Gerri, who has shown
him love and support and rejoices in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Business Leadership Award by the Community Council for
Medgar Evers College, Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. DeCosta Headley, Sr.