Senate Resolution No. 1247

BY: Senator COMRIE

COMMENDING the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation upon the
occasion of hosting its 2nd Annual Awards Dinner,
and paying tribute to this year's honorees on May 2,
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
organizations and 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 the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation upon the occasion of hosting its 2nd
Annual Awards Dinner, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Thursday,
May 2, 2019, at El Caribe Country Club Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York;
and

WHEREAS, This year's honorees are: Dr. Jonathan Chang, Board of
Directors, Manager, Coalition of Asian-American IPA Inc.; Angela Davis,
President, For Kidney's Sake; Alex Elegudin, Co-Founder and President,
Wheeling Forward; Dr. Himanshu Pandya, President Elect, American
Association of Physicians of Indian Origin; Lucia Pons, Executive
Director, Lower Westside Household Services; and Benjamin R. Sher,
President, NASW NYC Chapter; and

WHEREAS, These six selfless individuals truly reflect the 2019
theme, "Inclusive Collaboration Through Community Building"; they
graciously and enthusiastically reach out to the community as well as
individuals to help them overcome obstacles without expecting any reward
or recognition; and

WHEREAS, The D.R.E.A.M. Foundation (Developing Restoring Enriching
Advancing Many) is a diverse health and human services organization
which diligently works to restore communities through economic
empowerment, enrich and empower lives through financial literacy, make
individuals and communities viable through health and wellness
initiatives, advance cooperative partnerships to sustain communities and
their residents, and develop leaders for future generations; and

WHEREAS, Through its hunger, health, education, job placement and
housing assistance programs, this vital foundation offers various
initiatives which exemplify its desire to meet the needs of its
community; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of its Chair, DeCosta Headley,
the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation works with community members who span the
economic and cultural divide, defying the myth that our differences keep
us divided and embracing the challenge to see the commonalities that
exist among us; and

WHEREAS, Over its distinguished history, the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation
has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities
which it serves; and

WHEREAS, The success of the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its volunteers, 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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations 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
commend the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation upon the occasion of hosting its 2nd
Annual Awards Dinner, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees on May
2, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to DeCosta Headley, Chair of Board of Directors, the
D.R.E.A.M. Foundation.